Proofreading Steps

1. Finish all previous stages in the writing process—planning, writing, gathering feedback, and editing.

2. Rest your mind and your eyes. Take a break from the document for at least an hour, preferably a day.

3. Read through the document at a slow pace. As you read, focus on the following items and note any corrections to be made. (Click each item for details.)

• Consistent layout and formatting

• Correct grammar

• Correct and consistent spelling

• Correct and consistent punctuation

• Correct and consistent style

4. Make your corrections.

5. Reread the document in a different way—choose at least one of the following methods. Note any errors that you missed during your first reading.

• Read aloud.

• Follow the text with the arrow keys or the mouse as you read.

• Zoom out to two-page view. (This method is good for checking layout and formatting.)

• Print out the document and follow the text with a pencil.

• Read standing up, away from your desk, or in another room.

• Read backward, word by word. (This method is good for titles, headings, main sentences, and key points.)

6. Make your final corrections.