Note: This post contains 25 misspelled words, and I bet you can’t find any. Ready? Begin proofing!
“Proofreading is vitally important, hard to do well, and tedious as hell.” ~Brian Clark
That’s the best quote I’ve ever heard about proofreading, but I’d like to extend Brian’s remarks a bit. In fact, I’ve got 14 tips that are just about guaranteed to make you a better proofreader, and maybe make the task a tad less terrible.
Ready? You’re still watching for those typos, right?
#1: Assume a proofreader mindset.
Proofreading is tedious, but so is exercise. Who really wants to do 25 pushups right? I don’t.
But, imagine someone challenged you to do them. Would you refuse the test and let the antagonist think he won? Or, would you take the challenge just to prove him wrong? I’m betting you’d take the challenge and you’d no longer think pushups were tedious either. Your mind would be in a different place where resolve, confidence, and a heightened sense of attention and focus replaced the tedium. You’d be in the zone and you’d finish the set with perfect form to prove your worth.
Well, why not transfer this mindset toward your proofreading?
In fact, you may already be in that mindset. In the first sentence of this post I challenged you to find 25 misspelled words (I lied; there aren’t any).
Up to this point, you were reading differently than you normally read weren’t you? You were progressing slower and more deliberately, paying extra attention to detail, and most importantly, inspecting every word instead of scanning.
Basically, you were proofreading instead of reading.
You examined every word because I challenged you to. So, why not just challenge yourself by imagining there are errors in everything you write?
Presto, you now have the proper mindset to become a great proofreader. Now you’re ready to take your imagination even further by using our next tip.
#2: Think book deal, baby!
How tedious would proofing be if you knew you had a book deal coming? Instead of an antagonist challenging you, the thought of being a published writer would automatically make proofing more appealing and less of a chore. So, before you hit that publish button for your posts, imagine you’re the proofreader and that’s the last time anybody will proof your work before millions of eyes see it.
Now your mind is right, but you still need concrete tools to complete your transformation.
Proofreading is hard to do well…without a routine. Proofreading well is tough, but getting in the habit of following the remaining tips will help you overcome the challenge.
#3: Read and write every day.
Sounds too simple and unrelated to work, but it does. Like magic, the more you read (while using tip #1) the easier proofreading becomes. The more you write, the less you repeat common writing errors. If you hate writing, or reading, or both, you can change this with our next nifty tip.
#4: If you hate to write, write about something you hate. If you hate to read, read about something you love.
Sometimes it’s easier to write about something that gets your dander up, like politics. So, even though you may love writing within your current niche, as a writing exercise, choose a topic that frustrates you to no end and witness how easy it is to release the emotion onto paper.
Reading is different. I find reading easier when I genuinely love the subject matter. Since love is an attentive emotion, it tends to lead to longer periods of concentration.
And since all bloggers read other blogs that they love, it makes sense to practice our next tip.
#5: Practice Proof–Love with other bloggers.
Bloggers already practice link–love between each other, so why not offer to proof each other’s posts before they go live? It’s simple human nature that proofing someone else’s work will increase the desire not to miss anything, and doing so is great proofing practice.
#6: Write…run away…then read.
After you finish writing, just walk, run, or jog away from your screen before you start proofreading. Trying to get everything done at once will only allow errors to fool your eyes into believing they’re not there. Take a break, and then come back with your well-rested proofreader mindset. You’ll be happy you did, and you’ll be ready for our next tip.
#7: Read slower.
We touched on this with the first tip, but it’s important enough to explain further. Try reading at a slower pace than you normally do. If you can read a whole blog post in two minutes, try doing it in three minutes when you proofread. Act as though you are trying to explain the text to someone that just didn’t quite understand it the first time you spoke it to them.
#8: Read aloud, then read silently if time permits.
In a quiet setting, read your post aloud (then silently if possible). If you don’t have time for both, I would suggest reading aloud, since your mouth has to voice each word and your ears pick up the errors better than your mind sensing errors as you read silently. If you’re lucky enough to have another person nearby when you’ve finished writing, use the next tip.
#9: Have someone else read your post.
Find anybody that can read (English major not required) and have them proofread your post. Chances are they will spot silly errors you missed, even if you proofed your post twice. Someone unfamiliar with your post won’t have preconceived notions of how it should sound, so they won’t subconsciously gloss over any mistakes.
They’ll also let you know if your story makes sense, which is a great measure of how your blog audience might perceive your post. And speaking of perceptions, our next tip is critical toward those.
#10: Avoid the Passive Voice.
Look out for any form of to be.
Examples: is, are, am, was, were, has been, have been, had been, will be, can be, should be, would be.
In your word processor, do a search for each of the words above. If verbs follow them, it’s probably a passive voice sentence that you should rewrite.
Incorrect passive voice example: Some errors are missed by proofreaders.
Corrected active voice example: Proofreaders miss some errors.
You’re trying to be an authority to your readers, so write with authority. Using your word processor’s find functionality in this manner will help you tremendously and will come in handy for our next tip.
#11: Keep a list of words you always misspell.
Some words we just seem to spell incorrectly. Keep a list of such words and do a search and destroy for them. For example, I would always put an s on the end of toward, so I always search for this word to see if I messed it up again.
To check your misspelled words, as well as general writing guidelines, you’ll need some resources in case you forget.
#12: Keep reference resources nearby.
Master the rules and reference them when you forget. Do so with offline and online resources such as Merriam-Webster, The Little, Brown Handbook, and The Elements of Style to name a few. If you learn to love the rules of writing, you’ll be able to read these references time and again, and your proofing will improve dramatically.
Remember that proofreading is vitally important… for authority. Take proofreading lightly and blog readers may remind you of our next proofreading tip.
#13: Avoid copy errors or blog readers may take back the authority they loaned you.
Content marketing makes you a subject matter expert. It makes you a perceived authority in your niche. Silly typos detract from that authority.
Proofreading errors are pimples on a face and scratches on a new car—unwanted blemishes that distract from the underlying qualities of the subject matter. Would you rather have pimples or a clean face? Would you buy a new car with scratches on the paint? If just one sale walks away due to proofreading errors, that’s one too many, which leads us to our final proofreading tip.
#14: Bloggers should devote an amount of time to proofreading that, at the very least, equates to the value of one lost sale.
If you sell gumballs for 3 cents each, you obviously aren’t going to be as concerned with proofreading as the blogger who sells yachts, but do try to spend a proportionate amount of time practicing the proofreading craft.
Over time, these 14 tips will transform your proofreading efforts. No, they won’t make you perfect. They haven’t made me; I miss an occasional MahSteaK, but practicing them will certainly make you better prepared than the clients who hire me.
About the Author: Shane Arthur is the unofficial proofreading sheriff of the Blogosphere. He’s proofed for such noted bloggers as Brian Clark, Terry Whalin, Jon Morrow, Mark McGuinness, Chris Garrett, and Glenn Murray to name a few. Have a conversation with Shane on Twitter.
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A professional proofer told me to read my work from the end to the beginning. Concentrating on each word removes the propensity to read what you meant, rather than what you wrote.
This is an excellent article. Too often people think “it’s just a blog” and hit enter. If it’s worth doing it’s worth doing as well as you possibly can.
Thank you!
Excellent advice all of it. “I am the uncrowned king of run on sentences”. It’s not a title being aspired to I can promise you that. “Is spellcheck currently on by the way”?
Great post thanks.
I read every word of this post which is something I rarely do any more. Kudos!
My mom was the editor of our local newspaper for ten years so she passed on her proofreading abilities to me. I worked there as well for many years so I’m a bit of a proofreading freak now. I can’t count how many times I proofread my posts before I hit “Publish”.
I still manage to let a few errors squeak by, but I’ve always thought that proofreading was an extremely important part of blogging. I think a blogger shows a slight lack of respect for their readers when they don’t take any time to make sure their post has less than 50 typos.
Great post, and I agree with GoingLikeSixty. If you don’t have someone easily available to proofread for you, try reading the content backward. It can be easier to catch errors in spelling, added words, or punctuation, because your mind isn’t filling in the details for you in the flow of each sentence.
@ GoingLikeSixty: I used to think reading backward sounded silly, until I tried it that is. Very effective indeed. I was going to include that, but my list was getting long, so I’ll have to include that in the next guest post.
@Robert: Thanks. As long as you are not crowned, it’s not official and you can change that
@fluffy cat: Thanks, and I agree. Your blog is you. Dress up!
@Cassie: So true. What did you think of the word MahSteaK?
Thanks, that article was very insightful. It will certainly help me with my blog. It has made me very paranoid about making mistakes. I even wanted to spell check this comment.
I’m constantly amazed at the number of bloggers who seemingly forget to proofread their own posts. It’s absurd.
MahSteaK is definitely the cutest and cleverest intentional error evah!
I’m convinced the majority of bloggers avoid proofreading altogether. As a former professional proofreader, perhaps I’m more alert to errors in spelling, punctuation, and usage, but when I run across them, it distracts me from receiving the blogger’s message.
I’m wondering, when we see these errors, should we notify the writer?
Great tips! I have spent a lot of time proof reading and find that I still miss things.
Finding someone else to proof read for me has been my trick. We exchange, I email her my copy and she sends me hers.
Sheila
@Sarah: I agree. There was one word in this post that I didn’t catch three times until I read it in reverse.
@ibscom: Try writing a copyblogger guest post about proofreading. Talk about paranoid!
@15 minutes: I would guess they don’t forget; they just equate it to the joys of doing taxes.
I preach about this every day. And just yesterday a blogger told me that he is a blogger, not a writer. That’s the wrong mindset, especially if you’re earning money off your blog.
I use a step #15 “get up and walk away”. When proofing my own stuff I tend to get lost in thought and forget others may read and absorb my informational post differently. So I have to remember to get up and away from the screen. I distract myself and then come back and reread it.
Like starting from a clean slate again. It is easy to fix my errors when I make that space in time to reread my post.
@elizabethhannan
Elizabeth, I almost don’t have the heart to tell you that your #15 is Shane’s #6. Almost.
WOW!
Kudos,
I have found myself writing my blog – reading it publishing it and then catching some problems – how embarrassing is that!
Thanks for some sound advice.
Thank you for the insightful article — great advice, to say the least.
Unfortunately, I have to constantly fight the tendency to use a passive voice. When proofreading, too, Ockham’s Razor is your friend.
@Mihla: Yes, I believe you should contact the bloggers in question (Tip #5). Offer them the corrections, and make sure you let them know you are doing so as a favor and don’t expect anything back. You should build some meaningful relationships this way.
@sheila: Thanks. I challenge you to have no more errors! Deal?
@joy: That’s too funny. Ask that blogger if he uses letters and remind him that writers use these same things.
@Elizabeth: Walking away is so important. I try to tell my wife this when I put the dishes in the sink instead of the dish washer. I tell her that I don’t want to do it all at once or I might miss a spot.
@Scott: Thanks buddy. Did I get you at the beginning? I’m dying to know how many people became proofers at that moment.
@Pamela: Thanks. Don’t do that with a proofreading article.
@SumOfPrimes: Thanks. The passive voice “is hated by me.”
Seriously, I’m a big foe of the passive voice.
I thought this was a really useful post. Proofreading has been something which I really need to put more attention to. I sometimes type and press submit faster than I read what I typed. Thank you.
Raw, unpolished content turns me off. I’ll admit I’m a bit obsessive when it comes to proofreading and editing. And heaven knows I make and sometimes miss blunders.
Well-written, well-edited content always jumps off the screen at me because it’s pretty rare… even from folks who get paid to write.
When I come across an extremely “messy” post or article, the author’s credibility takes a nose dive. If the author doesn’t feel his message merits the time or effort needed to make it as clear and appealing to me as possible, why should I see the material as read-worthy?
Thanks for this important reminder and your helpful tips, Shane.
VERY useful post – and it came at just the right time for me, as I am beginning to get more active on the company blog. I would say the one that works best for me is the “read aloud” tip.
Not only does it help you catch spelling and grammar, but you are able to get a feel for how your work flows. If you stumble over a sentence, chances are others will as well and it’s probably in your best interest to rewrite it.
This is another example of your excellent and practical articles that help me write better. As a former magazine editor, I used many of your tips (and ones others suggested) to try and catch every last error.
I found a simple system that catches any that might squeeze through. Since I normally work in a sans serif font, I highlight the entire article (Ctrl-A) and change the font to a serif style. The words look different enough that I’m able to catch errors that slipped through.
Ahahaha. Veerryy nice. I am a compulsive “scanner” — but I read every word of the first few paragraphs. Hehe.
“… I lied; there aren’t any.”
Oh man. I sat there for three minutes thinking, “You bugger.” (But I’ll note you have comma-phobia – tsk!)
Great post, Shane. No website for you?
@MaryAnne: You’re welcome. I love that term read-worthy. Proofing shows that you care about the reader’s time.
@Ashley: Agreed. My wife got a kick out of me reading this post aloud at 3/4-speed (at least the first and second time).
@Paula: I like that tip. Thanks for adding to the discussion.
@Shaun: Got ya!
@James: Like mayo on my sandwiches, I go heavy on the commas. I’m currently tinkering with Thesis Theme and WordPress on my local machine. Should have something shortly.
What a fantastic article! I’ve already started casting a critical eye over some of my earlier blog entries as an exercise. I would certainly re-write some of them if I had written them today.
It’s definitely important to step away and revisit a piece with fresh eyes. Trouble is, I’m sometimes keen to get a piece out to coincide with some news, and I don’t want it to get stale. I have been guilty of a) hitting the “Publish” button, then re-reading, finding an error along the way; b) not realizing that the passive voice was used
Shane,
I love the “walk away”.. For me it is probably more like a number #2 if they were in order relating to my writing actions. I don’t think I can accurately perform the other proofreading actions if I don’t detach.
Like the dishwasher analogy! Great point!
It’s always the “I don’t have to get anyone else to see it because it’s fine” mentality that kills me.
Thanks for the reminder. Have others look at your work.
Heh Heh
QUOTE: ..and most importantly, inspecting every word instead of scanning.
Scan
Function:
verb
Inflected Form(s):
scanned; scan·ning
“to investigate thoroughly by checking point by point and often repeatedly”
Sorry, I found it too difficult to resist!
Regards.
The best tip is $6 to write and run away. You need to give yourself space between the time you finish writing and the time you look at it again. You will pick up more mistakes and have a different mindset if you leave it alone for awhile.
@Graham: Thanks. Glad you’re going back and looking over your posts. I’m curious as to how many people are going to practice Proof–Love with other bloggers.
@Lawton: Agreed. I should have added tip #15: Imagine you’re writing a copyblogger guest post. Nobody would think it’s just fine without proofing then.
@Elliott: I couldn’t resist laughing at that one. Good one sir.
@Craig: Agreed. It’s unwise to do everything at once.
Outstanding article! I’m a chronic passive voice-r, so I now have a LOT of searching to do.
Also, I’ll sometimes read sections of problematic text backwards to help catch spelling errors. It’s a little time-consuming, and shouldn’t be done aloud (unless you want to confuse the people around you).
Decent summary. I would add to that list “remember that nothing will ever be perfect… the final 1% of changes probably requires 20% of the overall effort”. That effort could be better spent on other productive tasks.
It is amazing what you can find in the press with regards to mistakes. I am a self-admitted “hack” in spelling, grammar and the like, and if I can see it… yikes.
@Shane: “I’m curious as to how many people are going to practice Proof–Love with other bloggers.”
We’re all here because we’d like to improve our blogs, right? So perhaps I may ask here:
Is there anyone who would like to practice Proof-Love with me? My contact details are available at my blog: http://http://englishmannj.blogspot.com/
Hey Shane, thanks for posting this … now if you could just create a WP plugin that forced me to agree with each point before I published a post, you’d be my hero
@Dave: Thanks buddy. But, if you read in reverse out loud on the metro, nobody will sit next to you and you will have more space for your books.
@Ryland: I agree about the press.
@Christopher: That’s a good idea. Have a plugin that plays an instant sound file with screeching breaks and a prompt asking you if you are sure you want to drive off a cliff without proofing. I like.
Fantastic post — these tips are excellent for all bloggers to read. I’ll be sure to pass this post along. Thanks!
Proofreaders are the unsung heroes in the world of words. They are rarely given the credit they deserve. Thanks for the article Copyblogger. My fellow wielders of the red ink salute you.
@Graham – Are you really, really, sure?
I mean as an Englishman in the US?
I mean, if you flip your kit into the boot you confuse the hell out of everyone on this side of the pond!
You can post leave your away colours in the trunk, but who would know?
Or writing that walking the subway to queue for tube would cause a major diplomatic incident!
I have to apologize to all. My sense of humour has been waxing today
Fantastic article, Shane! Every point you made resonates with my experience as a copywriter. I love proofreading, so if you ever get more work than you can handle, drop me a line! Best regards, P.
@custom: Thanks for the link–love.
@Josh: I agree. Thanks for the salute.
@Paul: Thanks, and I will.
Be dyslexic, proof reading is not what I enjoy or am good at. I need all the help I can get. When I can I get someone else to read it.
One trick I do is to paste the copy into another program, another format so when I reread it is as if I reading a different post.
Grate reeding! (Pun Intended!)
I love the post and the advice.
Thanks!
Greg
Great job Shane.
Maybe you should do a 14 Foolproof Tips series of guest posts out in the ’sphere.
I’d be honored for you to volunteer next over at my crib.
If Brian doesn’t sign you to a book, video and VP deal
He’s been known to scarf up talent like a Dyson on steroids !
Well said Shane. Enjoyed your thoughts very much. Another thing I find with proofreading (I edit for a university) is that once you get you’re eye in, you can even ’scan’ for typos. You know what you’re scanning for, and they stand out. Many thanks for the post.
Of course, that doesn’t help typing so fast that you make dumb mistakes!
I really like this post and as a professional copywriter who works for a design company, I have to answer to a potentially unpleasant quality process!
But I love having the proofreaders there and enjoy working with them. They’re brilliant at their jobs and have a real passion for ‘getting it right’.
And I think that ‘getting it right’ is something you need to be passionate about when blogging. The odd mistake is fine and likely inevitable. But it’s important not to keep making the same errors over and over again.
Readers notice these things!
I use a free program Speakonia. I cut and paste the blog text into it. Then listen as it reads it back to me.
This is so valuable! As a person who is unreasonably bothered by typos, I thank you.
Bernard, thanks for the tip on “Speakonia”, I like it.
I’m the world’s worst speller and I know it. When spell check doesn’t recognize what you’re trying to spell, you KNOW it’s bad.
I’m always looking for ways to improve my spelling and after more than three years of blogging, it has gotten MUCH better. I also use many of the tips written here, but I think the most valuable for me is coming back (mostly the next morning) to re read what I wrote.
Not only will I find misspelled words, but often reword entire sentences and paragraphs the really bring my message home.
I take great pride in producing valuable content for my readers and that certainly includes proper spelling.
Doug
The problem with waiting the next day, is in a blog you need to be current.
What are you going to do, publish Barack Obama becoming president tomorrow? If I wait till the next day your readers’ loose interest or even worse they may think you are just doing a cut and paste.
I have another problem, I have a blogger that keeps copying me and then accuses me of plagiarism.
@Owen: That’s an interesting technique. I may have to try that.
@Greg: Made me smile with that one. Thanks.
@Simple Mike: My first post for simplenomics: 14 foolproof ways Mike has made me laugh for over two years. I’ll see what I can do.
@adamrave: I agree. I’ve gotten to the point where I can combine my “passes” and look for multiple problems at once, but it really takes a lot of practice to be able to do this without missing anything.
@Iain: Passion is the word. I have a passion for error free books, and I can’t stand seeing books with errors. I don’t think I can remember one published book that I’ve read that didn’t have errors.
@bernard: I may have to install that program. Reminds me of youtube’s speak your comments functionality. Thanks.
@Sonia: That surprises me. Your posts that I’ve read have been pretty damn’d clean. You’ve handled that which bothers you quite well.
@Doug: I would say you should imagine that you are no longer the world’s worst speller. Set your self perception high and you will automatically aim for it my friend. Regards.
RE: @Bernard: Even if the break is for 5 minutes, that’s all it takes sometimes. At times, I’ll get a drink of water and splash some water on my face. That’s enough to clear the mind clutter.
Shane,
I am the queen of picky proofers, so when you challenged me to come on over and proofread, I couldn’t resist.
Of course, no typos. Brilliant betting us, though. You got me! While I had my stickler’s hat on, I thought I’d mention that you use the word “just”…
Just way too frequently. It jumped out at me because it’s one I have to watch for myself.
Sorry, but we were supposed to look critically, right?
I loved every tip. This is a definite print-and-keeper. Thanks.
Regards,
Kelly
Fantastic summary of proofreading tips. I use methods like these regularly and enjoy proofreading. I usually do these steps: wait until later to proofread, read it out loud, and sometimes I read it backwards.
For when it counts, I think having someone else read one’s own writing is essential. That’s not feasible for every blog post of course, so there will be inevitable errors and I think a few errors here and there are fine on a blog. Blogs are conversational, not novels.
By the way, I caught one error in your post: Merriam-Webster link goes to the wrong site.
Thanks again!
Proofreading is something that needs time. If I write some article then I give it some break and do something that free my mind and then I’m doing the proofreading. I think Proofreading is a must for every blogger.
In the first sentence of this post I challenged you to find 25 misspelled words (I lied; there aren’t any).
Up to this point, you were reading differently than you normally read weren’t you?
Haha, brilliant! Yes, you’re right, I was. Great article, thank you.
Kx
@Kelly, I agree with you about the “just” usage. I’ll sit there sometimes and debate whether or not I should leave it in. Do I stick to the rules or try and make the sentence sound like someone would talk it? I usually try to leave a few in. Thanks fellow proofer.
@Van: Thanks buddy. That faulty link should redirect to the right page shortly.
@BlogBooze: Agreed. Proofreading is like wine, no!
@Kathleen: Got ya!!!! Thanks.
Good advice. Typos are often unavoidable, even if you are the best speller in the country. Therefore, it is always beneficial to review your post a few times prior to posting.
Well you know how tough it can be to hit the “spell check” button. 1/2 of a second out our day can truly add up over time, why at years end that could account for a whole minute!
The word “work” is ambiguous in the first sentence of tip #3. Will it function or does it have to do with your employment?
It’s a testament to your first two tips that I caught it! Thanks for the help. I never thought of the proofing mindset differently.
Great post. I love the tip about reading the content backwards. What a brilliant idea!
When people first come to our blog, they’ll pretty much judge the entire site (and us) based upon the first post they happen to read. If it’s sloppy and lazy, they won’t leave with a very good impression of us, and they might not give us a second chance.
Each post should be treated as though it were the only post we’ll ever be judged by – because it just may be. Thanks for the reminder!
@MySolutionSpot: Thanks and I agree.
@Website Design: You made me laugh with that one!
@Aaron: I had the same discussion about that with one of my buddies who read the post. He thought the same thing; I thought considering the line with the title included would make it a pass. But, I concede the point. I should have said, “Sounds too simple and unrelated to work properly, but it does.” Regards.
@Joi: Thanks and I agree with you. First impressions are everything.
Hello Shane,
I agree with the others. Fabulous post! Thank you. Your tips are right on the money.
While proofreading forms a huge part of what I do professionally for others every day, when it boils down to editing my own content, it’s much more difficult to review my own work objectively – a natural blind spot inevitably occurs.
Great tips from you and everyone!
Karen
I agree with James C. about the lack of commas.
For example, take the sentence “Who really wants to do 25 pushups right?” With no comma after “pushups”, it reads like the blogger is asking whether there is a reader willing to correctly perform the exercise.
You definitely need a comma there.
(I’m no expert, though, so feel free to critique my commentary. I can take criticism and try to learn from it.)
@MS: You’re, right!
I can see where someone might read it that way. I thought comma-phobia meant I was afraid not to use so many commas, as I normally do. I see now it was the other way around.
> If you hate to write, write about something you hate. If you hate to read, read about something you love.
That is one sweet and ironic epiphany.
Hello Shane,
Many thanks for a great post!
I have really enjoyed reading.
We (bloggers) are to proof-LOVE each other! Let’s make our blogosphere a pleasant place to spend time, learn and enjoy the process.
N.B. I’d be thankful to every collegue who is willing to check out my “Russian” English. I am ready to help you proofreading your “English” Russian (if any… ))
@Karen: Thanks, and I agree about the blind spot. Regards
@J.D.: Thanks buddy. It’s also better than shouting at the television about something you hate.
Shane, this is a really a-we-so-me article. I have been a translator for many years (therefore I have proofread a painful lot) and I haven’t seen the matter put as clearly as you have here.
Shane, that’s a great post and I loved the game you played at the start, I fell for it completely!
Since the subject matter is proofreading, I hate to be pedantic but isn’t ’slower’ an adjective, not an adverb? So ‘read more slowly’ rather than ‘read slower’. He he.
Lots of fantastic tips though, I hate it when something goes out .. then … you … spot … the … typo … aaagh!
@PingBackers: Thanks for the pingbacks folks. Hey Renegade Writers, you ladies are awesome!
@vadim: Awesome. Proof-love as much as you can.
@Marcela: Thanks. It must be tougher to proof and translate at the same time.
@Robin: I had a hell-of-a time with that sentence: “You were progressing slower and more deliberately.” More slowly, or slower? More deliberate or more deliberately. I went back and forth here, but you’re right. More slowly would have sounded better. Don’t be a pedantic-ite! Embrace your pendantic self. I love that quality.
CRAP! Why would one simply not use MS-Word spelling and grammar check? Oh and if you are anti Microsoft or something you can use GMail “Compose Mail”.
@Shane: Ok, this is stupid but here I go — You asked for it.
I do not do them at the same time; first I translate, then I proofread
Have a nice weekend!
@Ujjwal: You write about making people smile. I’m not sure to smile or frown at your comment. I use MS Word’s spell checker. I just don’t depend on it. I let it do the light work.
@Marcela: I for sure laughed at this one.
Wow! Fun read. Lots of insights. And no tyops!
Proves reading works for writers.
Happy Blogging!
@Lynn: I’m all about fun. Proofreading = fun.
Prufreeding? I HATE prufreeding- and I refuese to due it. But mayb if I treid it, it may mak a differense in my postes on mi blogg. Not surr, bit eye will treye it. I gess eye culd hire sumone. This is a HOT post! Luved it! Now…about that prufreeding…
@Doug: two funnE!
@Shane: Sorry for sounding rude! I just thought you are missing the obvious.Lookin fwd to a lot more thoughts from you…
I once wrote newsletter and included a few errors with a challenge, who ever found the most errors would receive a gift certificate for a free massage. I was shocked when a teacher found three times the errors I intentionally put in it. I’m still working on catching my typos, but it is a neverending battle.
So much great information, I’m still reeling! I’m fairly new at this blogging thing, but I’m trying to get out of the dark ages, and reading your blog and the delicious comments is a giant step forward. I especially want to start reading my blogs backwards. When I post a blog on my site, I just know I’ve missed something no matter how many times I’ve checked it. Don’t ever count on MS Word spell checker – I like MS, but that doesn’t hack it. I’ll send my book about “how to write mother memoir” free to the 1st 20 people who find errors on my blog.
@Ujjwal: No worries. I understand now.
@Mercy: Joe Sugarman used that technique, too. Very effective.
@The Story Woman You are wise not to trust MSWord. At least the Spanish version, it is rubbish. Back in the ’90s when I used to write for a paper magazine (oh, those were the times), no matter how careful I was, some changes misteriously happened — to worse, of course. The reason was that someone at the magazine was checking my articles with MSWord and all they did was spoil them.
Thanks for you comment. Now I know I didn’t get lost in cyerspace, and people do care! It’s funny, because “people feeling lost” in the vastness of life, is one of the reasons I encourage people to write bio-vignettes about their mothers.
This is a wondeful but real article.
I’m dealing with these problems every day when I make a new post on my Blog.
So, also because I’m 100% Italian, I will take care about your tips and considerations.
Thanks and keep up the good work !
Terrific post! Great tips. An outside set of eyes never, ever hurts. I recommend seeking for grammar and writing support and excellent proofreading and editing services as they are key in any writing work. Very useful. Thanks!
This is a wonderful post. My advise is not to count on MS Word spell checker or any software. Just get someone else to look at your work.
Great read. Will surely put these tips to practice.
Thanks Mark. Glad you liked it.
Excellent advice Shane. It’s important to me since I write my own sale pages and other marketing material. I get some help from professional copywriters though (not always).
Franck
Thanks. Proofing is that extra step you take to show your readers that you care. Well worth the price in my opinion.
Regards
Shane
My favorite WP plugin for getting your proofing on track is “After the Deadline”. It has a lot of custom features. You can have it flag use of passive, cliches, double negatives and so on. Plus you can set it to stop you from posting until you click “agree to post without proofing” on the pop up warning box. That certainly gets your attention. You can get it here: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/after-the-deadline/