Thursday, September 27, 2007

Editing and proofreading tips

  • Editing and proofreading require you get some distance from the document. The closer you are to having written a document, the harder it if to proof and edit. Familiarity clouds judgment. Get away from the document. Set it aside for a few hours. Take a walk. Have lunch. Read it after your next meeting.
  • Edit and proofread in your preferred medium. Some people like to work online; others need hard copy.
  • Change the type size or font of the draft. This will give you a fresh eye. Return to the standard size and font after editing and proofreading.
  • Find a quiet place to work. Distractions and interruptions lead to overlooked errors.
  • Break down editing and proofreading into chunks of time. Don’t tackle them all at once.
  • Schedule editing and proofreading tasks when you are most alert.