Proofreading is the very final stage of the editing process, focusing on errors such as spelling, grammar and punctuation. Proofreading should only commence when all the content checks and editing processes have been completed.

1. Always go somewhere quiet to do your proofreading.
2. Ideally, don’t proof your own work, but if you have to ask one or two other people to proof it as well.
3. If you are proofing your own text give yourself a break between writing and proofreading.
4. Keep an up-to-date dictionary and style guide at hand for reference.
5. Proofread backwards – start at the end of your document and read it line or sentence at a time. This will stop you focusing on the meaning of the document and allow you to focus on the text itself.
6. For discovering spelling errors it is particularly useful to read the text backward a word at a time.
7. Always proof from a hard copy rather than on your computer screen.
8. Place a plain piece of paper under each line as you read it. This gives your eyes a manageable amount of text to focus on.
9. When marking errors try and to use correct proofreading symbols., iIf you can’t then do not just circle errors, be clear and specific in your comments.
10. Break your proofreading into areas. First check for spelling mistakes, then for punctuation, then grammatical errors etc.
11. Proofread at the time of day when you feel most alert.
12. Try proofreading aloud, it slows you down and allows you to hear what you actually wrote.
13. Double check names and little words such as ‘it’ and ‘is’ as these ae often interchanged.
14. Double check headings, page numbers and footers as these are often missed.
15. Keep a list of your most common errors.

Any comments on these tips would be gratefully received and can be emailed to howtoguides@culturenetcymru.com

Jon Curtis MCIM, MIDM
Marketing & Development Manager, Culturenet Cymru

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