6 Editing and Proofreading Tips Every Student Should Know
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Check capitalisations.
This is key, especially with names in references. Make sure all names and places are capitalised. Also check that you have capital letters after each full stop.
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Spelling checks
Firstly, use your spell checker. Secondly, reading the paper backwards is a clever way to check the spelling of a paper as it makes you read each word individually rather than as a sentence, where you can miss spelling mistakes.
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Grammar, Grammar, Grammar!
As well as spelling it is highly important to check your grammar throughout the paper. Make sure you are using punctuation correctly. You can check online to see if your paper is correct. There is also a software called Grammerly that you can download onto your computer. This shows you your grammar mistakes as you are writing. However, sometimes it is best to learn to find your own mistakes as you will not have this software in an exam!
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Read out loud
Reading an essay out loud can highlight parts of the work that do not work or do not flow well. It allows you to hear to from a different perspective and will easily pinpoint the parts that need to be re-worded.
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Print it out
Do it the old fashioned way and grab a pen to make proofreading corrections. Get a different colour pen to the text and go through the paper slowly. Something as simple as reading the essay on paper instead of a screen could help you find some mistakes that you may have otherwise overlooked.
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Get someone else to read through it!
This is a great option if you have it. Ask a friend or family member to read through the paper and make corrections themselves. It is a lot easier to spot mistakes with fresh eyes on the work. Alternatively, you can ask 15 Writers to help you with essay proofreading and/or editing of your paper. We have a team of highly qualified writers who are experienced in proofreading their own work and other student’s papers. Contact us at [email protected] and we will be able to help you.
