How to Proofread Your Paper

4 Tips for Effective Proofing
  1. While proofreading, limit distractions such as listening to music, watching TV, and changing the baby.
  2. Go to a quiet place and read the paper out loud!
  3. Read the paper backward. No, don't read the words in reverse--the paragraphs. Start with the conclusion and work to the introduction. 
  4. Bring your paper to the writing center and read it with a consultant. 
Grammar Check

  • Too many mistakes are typos. Microsoft Word does not find and correct all the errors. 
  • Check each sentence for typos. 
  • Have a friend read through your paper to help check for typos. 

Verb Tense Agreement

Example:

  • She was arranging flowers and talks on her phone.
    • What is wrong with this sentence? The first verb is past tense; the second is present

Plural/Singular Verb/Noun Agreement

Example:

  • The women shoots the basketball.
    • What is wrong with this sentence? Women is a plural noun, but shoots is a singular verb.
  • Does every sentence have a subject and a verb? If not, the sentence is a fragment.
  • If not, (this applies mainly to creative writing), does the sentence logically follow from the preceding sentence or serve as a logical introduction?
  • Do not use fragments in academic writing
  • Beware of linking two completed ideas with one of the following conjunctive adverbs without using a semicolon or a period before the adverb. 
  • Some examples of conjunctive adverbs: consequently, finally, however, now, moreover, suddenly, than, there, therefore
  • Commas are tricky, but they can be very efficient. 
  • Always check, all the commas, because there may be, too many in places, they do not belong. 
  • Commas can also be underused like in the sentence above. Since the thoughts are not being effectively broken-up this can add frustration. 
  • For more help with commas see the commas page.
  • In academic writing, it is highly recommended that you do not use first and second person. 
  • In other words, do not use you, your, yours, I, me, my, mine, we, us, our, and ours.
  • Eliminate any and all of these pronouns from academic papers. 
Wordiness
  • If a sentence is longer than three lines and has not been carefully structured, it is probably wordy. Try for crisp, clean, and concise thoughts, not rambling. 
  • A good way to check for wordiness is logical flow. If your sentences flow logically into each other, you probably are not going to be overly wordy.
Formatting
  • Always check the formatting, whether APA, MLA, or Turabian. 
  • Remember to check: Margins, headings, headers, citations, font, and font size.
Questions to Ask When Proofreading
  • Does the paper have a thesis statement?
  • Is the thesis statement developed and supported?
  • Does each paragraph transition into the next paragraph logically?
  • Does the conclusion "tie up the loose ends" by revisiting the introduction?