Proofreading

BBC Bitesize recommends four great methods you can use whenever you are proofreading:

1. Read your writing aloud

The easiest way to proofread is to read your writing aloud. This way you will often notice when a word or sentence doesn’t sound right. The most common things to look out for are mistakes with punctuation. You can often ‘hear’ these if you speak the text out loud.

2. Read your writing backwards

Reading backwards is especially good for spotting spelling errors. Reading your text backwards, word by word, can sometimes help you to notice spellings because it forces you to look at each word in isolation.

3. Proofreading for just one kind of error at a time

Perhaps you already know what kind of mistakes you are likely to make, so begin by looking out for these. You could even give yourself a proofreading routine: begin with punctuation and capital letters; then sentence structure; then think about spelling.

4.) Slow it down

We often miss mistakes when we proofread too quickly. Take your time when you are checking your work. It sometimes helps to use your finger when you read through each word.

Remember…

Proofreading is often easiest when there is a gap between writing and reading your work. So take a break before starting!