Top 10 proofreading tips - Espirian.co.uk€¦ · DIY proofreading is fine up to a point. For mission-critical content, hire an editorial professional. Yes, you’ll have to pay –

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10 TIPS for Proofreading

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Spellcheckers have their place but they won’t catch every mistake.

Even when words are spelled correctly, they’re often used incorrectly. Look:

We have an envious track record.

We have an enviable track record.

Don’t rely on your spellchecker.

Tip 1. Never rely on a spellchecker

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Keep your target audience in mind. Will they understand your writing? Get these basics right:

Clarity: make clear statements

Simplicity: eliminate jargon where possible

Tone: use appropriate language

Tip 2. Be clear

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Warning: not an environmentally friendly tip!

Print out your work. You’ll spot more errors.

Before you hit the print button:

Choose a typeface that’s easy on the eye

Increase the size of the typeface

Add some space between the lines of text

Tip 3. Use printouts (and plant trees)

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Backwards content your read.

(If it helps, imagine you’re Yoda. Mistakes more spot will you.)

It’s weird but it works.

Tip 4. Read your content backwards

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If it sounds clumsy when you say it out loud, imagine what someone else might make of it.

Pro tip: set up your computer to speak the text and you can give your voice a rest.

Tip 5. Read out loud

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Or whenever your brain is at its most alert.

Don’t proofread everything in one go. And try to get a night’s sleep between writing and proofreading.

Tip 6. Proofread in the morning

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Read your content multiple times, each time looking for different types of issue. Here’s an example:

Reading 1: focus only on spelling

Reading 2: focus only on grammar

Reading 3: focus only on headings

It’s like climbing the mountain in stages.

Tip 7. Break up the task

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Ask a colleague or a trusted friend to go through your document in as much detail as possible.

Request specific feedback. The more detailed your questions are, the better the answers will be.

Bad: ‘What do you think?’

Good: ‘Is the executive summary clear about the 3 main points?’

Tip 8. Phone a friend

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Don’t expect to spot every single error in your work. Don’t get hung up about it either.

Don’t keep proofreading forever. Done is better than perfect, so don’t forget to hit that publish button!

Tip 9. Don’t chase perfection

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DIY proofreading is fine up to a point. For mission-critical content, hire an editorial professional.

Yes, you’ll have to pay – but the result could take your writing to a whole new level.

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Tip 10. Call in the professionals

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Get in touch

Don’t have the time, skills or energy to check your own text? No problem – I’m here to help.

Contact me now for a free quote.