Top Ten Items on a Proofreading Checklist
When proofreading, it is important to use a checklist, to make sure that you have not missed any essential features. Most proofreading services will use a separate checklist for each kind of document they proofread, but the elements are essentially the same- they will be looking for spelling and grammar errors and formatting mistakes.When proofreading an academic essay,it is important to check for the following things: Clarity- Is each sentence clear, employing the correct terms? If not, suggest alternate terms in a comment to the author.
Spelling- Are all words spelt correctly? Remember that the automated spellchecker is far from fool-proof, and many words can come up as correct in the spellchecker but still be incorrect in the context of the document.
References - Are all references in the correct format? Check research paper, which referencing style is being used and refer to the guide. Double check the punctuation in the references as some styles require commas between information, whilst others call for full stops or semi-colons.
Fonts- Are all headings in a bold font and larger than the main body text? Are main and sub-headings distinguished by different sized fonts? Is the main body text all the same font and size?
Spacing- Is spacing consistent throughout the essay? Most academic essays need to be double spaced, so check the requirements.
The work should remain the author’s, minus any errors. Resist the temptation to ‘improve’ a piece of work too much as, especially for academic work, you run the risk of plagiarism. Being a proofreader is a bit like being a painting restorer- you are trying to cover the blemishes, not to add anything new to the work!