Here are some things I do:
- go away and leave it for several hours, or overnight and then read it again
- read it aloud
- print it out (if it was on the computer), take the printed version away from my desk and read it in another place
- go for a walk and read it aloud when I get back
This was looking at the macro process (thinking about the overall plan, logic, completeness and whether it makes sense). Now what about the fine detail, the micro process? If you're writing in a second language how do you go about checking something is correct? Here are some ideas:
- read it aloud
- check bits that seem wrong in a grammar book/ dictionary/ against a model
- ask somebody for help with a problem bit
- check to make sure you haven't made your 'favourite' (most frequent) mistakes
It would be great to get some comments from you about what processes you go through, in your own language and in a foreign language. Looking forward to your comments!
10 comments:
Hi Melanie!
This bewborn blog looks great, and the first post is very intriguing. I too like to spend some time doing something else before I come and read my text again. I also think that having somebody read your text for you is great, because when you are working for too long with the same text (like a dissertation, an article or a thesis) and you read the same thing many times, you start fixing the mistakes in your mind, that is, you read it the way you want people to read, but not necessarily the way people will read it.
Regards from Brazil!
Hi Melanie,
I tend to produce something very quickly and then leave it for a few days before coming back to it. In the meantime, my little neurons are working silently in the background on it whilst I'm doing other things. Then I sit down and 'tackle' it in detail and at this stage, for translations for example, I will check with dictionaries. Then I polish it and leave it again for a day or so. Finally, I print it out and then make final adjustments. Of course, if there is somebody to read it, all the better, but this is not always possible in my case.
Hello Melanie,
Your blog looks great. I like that fact taht you decided to write about useful hints for proofreading writing. Writing is a skill that we need to learn. The hints you give for correcting pieces of writing are very reasonable and practical. Congratulations!
Cheers
Jose Antonio
Just some comments on how I proofreading,
I like ot ask someone else to read the text for me. After reading and re-reading so many times, you are very likely to let mistakes go by. I also like to get away from the text for a while and then go back and read it again. Printing a hard copy alwys helps you to double check it. I also try to keep in mind what my audience is and try to read it with their expectations, and opinions. I think writing is really challenging, but we are generally proud when we look at the final result, if we do it well and proofread as many times as needed.
Kind regards
Jose Antonio
Hello Melanie!
That's a great start to your blog and a very thought-provoking post. I guess computer text editors have turned me into a kind of disorganized writer, so I need to proofread my work a thousand times! I often jot down a few ideas and leave the text untouched for a couple of days while I work on something else. I usually read with different purposes in mind (checking content, organisation, language, style,etc.) because I feel I can't do it all in one go. Whenever possible, I ask someone to read and comment; sometimes it's someone who knows about the subject (and therefore can help me find 'holes' to fill in) but I also like to ask friends who know nothing about the topic, to see whether my ideas make sense! :-)
Um abraço!
I think it's useful to read backwards. This doesn't permit you to go with the flow of your ideas while missing the errors you may have made. I agree with others' suggestions as well. I have a proofreader's eye and am always happy to proof other people's work. I do, of course, sometimes miss errors in my own work though, so it's always useful to get someone else to have a look.
Nice blog--congratulations!
Nice and useful blog, Melanie :-)
The first thing I do when I am going to write something is to create an outline with the main ideas I want to develop. Then, I start filling it in with no specific order. Since I write without looking at the keyboard, and try to type fast, I get many mistakes which I immediately notice with the Word corrector. Once I have finished writing each part, I re-read to check style, and when I have finished writing every part of the outline, I read for coherence and cohesion, and usually add sentences to link the ideas. Finally, I close the document and go back to it after a day or so, or send it to a colleague to proofread and make comments.
Cheers,
Daf (in Caracas, Venezuela)
Hi Melanie,
I like your blog! The topic is one I spend quite a bit of time on in my writing class. Here are some of the tips I give my students and also use myself.
1) Point to each word as you read it. Like the backwards reading that Nina mentioned, pointing slows you down as you proofread.
2) Read your writing aloud. As Jose Antonio wrote, having someone read your piece of writing aloud to you or reading it aloud to your friend is even more effective than reading it to yourself. With oral proofreading it's easier to find parts of your writing that look or sound funny.
3) Keep a checklist of common errors you make. Scan your papers for those errors.
4) Use the spell checker and other editing tools in a word processing program.
I'm looking forward to reading more ideas on your blog!
Sally La Luzerne-Oi in Wisconsin USA
Hi Melanie, what a great way to start blogging, by motivating and inviting your audience to think, reflect and share. You have already received quite interesting comments from your BaW readers.
In my case, I follow some of the steps that have been mentioned but it all depends on the purpose of my writing. It is not the same to write a text message in a cell phone than an article in a refereed academic journal or random reflections in a blog.
Writing usually takes me a lot of time. I start by writing a couple of ideas in a mindmap and from there I start my paragraphs, connect ideas within and between sentences and paragraphs as well. If I have time, I will get away from the text, as you mentioned, but if I don´t, I read and re-read silently or aloud, until I decide it is time to stop and my objective has been reached.
I wonder what ESL-EFL learners have to say. Have you tried this with your students. I would love to hear them on this topic.
All the best from Caracas,
Berta
Hi Melanie,
Your blog looks great. I think as the creator of the text, when you proof read, unfortunately you may read the wrongly spelt words right. You may fail to notice the mistakes. It is always better to give them to your friends who are no way connected to the text. Ensure that they possess language skills.
All the best
Jaya Balasubramanian
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