Proofreading is very different from other steps in the writing process. When you write, you are focused on getting your ideas on paper. When you revise, you are focused on making those ideas clear. Proofreading is the step in the process when you should be concerned about finding and fixing the surface errors in your writing that might distract a reader from understanding your work. Here are some tips for making the time you spend proofreading effective:

Read—or ask a friend to read—your paper out loud, EXACTLY as it is on paper. This will help you catch misspelled or incorrectly chosen words. It will also help you locate sentence run-ons and fragments.

Proofread backwards. Beginning at the end of your paper, read each sentence independently, all the way to the beginning. This forces you to quit thinking about the logic of your paper in order to focus on what each sentence is doing on its own. If you need to, use a ruler to block off the words in sentences around the one you are working on.

Know yourself. Every writer has a list of mistakes he or she makes regularly. Look at your last graded paper. Make a list of the most frequent errors. When you read through your paper, read through it one time, concentrating on one type of mistake. For instance, if you know you confuse the words “there,” “their,” and “they’re,” read the paper one time, just checking your usage of these words. Then read again for your next most common error.

Don’t try to write, revise and proofread all at one sitting. Plan your work so you can finish your paper and walk away from it for 12-24 hours. When you return to do the work of proofreading, you will see your paper with fresh eyes and find more error, more easily.

No writer works alone. Find a friend you trust to be your generous, honest second reader. Tell them you WANT to know where your work is confusing or sloppy. Ask him/her questions about content mistakes, as well as surface errors in your work. Take their advice into consideration.

Finally, get help. If you’re not sure about your introduction, the ways you’ve organized your thoughts, or how to choose the best word, come down to the writing center—that’s what we’re here for!