3 tricks for better proofreading

Sloppy copy can sink your credibility. That’s why proofreading is essential.

It’s not an exciting activity, but every writer must take strides toward becoming a more thorough proofreader. To improve your proofreading—and prevent a lifetime’s worth of shame and embarrassment—consider these three tips:

Print it out.

Smartphones and computer screens are made for scrolling. We have become scanners and skimmers.

When we proofread on digital screens, we tend to skip over things we shouldn’t, simply because our brains are trained to scroll. Printed pages, however, tend to force slower, more meticulous reading.

If you do print out your piece, keep a pen handy. Mark up your paper as you go, and jot down any issues you see. Write new ideas as they come to you. This method of proofreading requires additional time, but you’ll read more carefully—and thus produce a more coherent final product.

Take a break, then revisit your piece.