Proofread, And Then Do It Again

I can read a manuscript ten times and still miss some pesky typos. Here are some tips that have helped me with proofreading.

READ RIGHT TO LEFT

Start at the bottom of the page and read each word right to left. This takes the word out of context and allows you to focus. This is tedious, especially for a whole book, but help you see each word and not the sentences and paragraphs around it.

WHERE AND WHEN

Try to find a quiet place away from distractions. Try not to proofread for more than two hours at a time. Get up and walk around or take a stretch break.

HOW MUCH

You are going to read and revise your manuscript multiple times. Try to schedule some down time between revisions. Work on other projects. The time away helps you focus when you return

PAPER VS. ELECTRONIC

Proofread a paper version of the text. It is difficult to catch mistakes on a computer screen.

TOOLS

Do not rely solely on the spelling or grammar checker. These help, but they’re not always correct. Many word processing applications have a “read aloud” feature. This helps you to hear misused words that a spell checker wouldn’t catch.

FIND A PARTNER

Find a partner or a critique group to read your manuscript and provide feedback. Another set of eyes can always spot typos and mistakes that the writer misses.

What else would you add to my list?