Tips on Proofreading. 8 easy steps

No matter what kind of paper you are writing, proofreading is a very important part of the writing process. People make different mistakes. Sometimes, you may forget some important rules of English grammar or make spelling errors. You may also use the wrong word or make a typo. All these mistakes have a negative impact on the overall impression of your paper and, therefore, on your grades.

After spending many hours writing your paper, it becomes so familiar to you that you may skip over some mistakes that you would easily recognize in someone else’s work. Therefore, when proofreading, you should look at your paper from a new angle. However, the best solution is to order professional proofreading on Masterra.com.

Here are a few useful tips that will help you proofread your papers properly:

1. Distance yourself from your work
If you have enough time, let your paper rest for a few days and then proofread it. If you don’t have so much time, at least take a break, go for a walk, or have a coffee. This will help you forget about your paper for a while and approach proofreading with a clear mind.

2. Print your paper
There is a big difference between proofreading texts written in text editors and printed on paper. This method might help you spot more mistakes.

3. Read your paper aloud
It will help you detect sentences and phrases that sound awkward or clunky. This way, you’ll also spot repetition.

4. Read slowly
Try to read your papers word by word and make sure that everything is spelled correctly.

5. Read backward
Read all the sentences in reverse order. This way, you won’t get distracted by the overall context and meaning of your writing, being able to focus on a particular sentence.

6. Use grammar and spell checkers
Choose good checkers that can understand the context of your writing. However, we recommend that you don’t rely solely on the software.

7. Ask your friend to proofread your writing
Find somebody with good English skills and ask them to proofread your paper. Giving your paper to somebody also allows you to obtain valuable feedback on the content and the overall structure.

8. Improve your writing skills
The best way to avoid mistakes is to have enough practice, constantly working on your grammar, vocabulary, and spelling. Analyze your texts, detect recurring mistakes and focus on the topics that are most problematic for you.