Exploring Writing - Gary Robert Muschla 2011

Exercise 4.3 Partners for Proofing
The Value of Proofreading Partners
Part 4. Proofreading

Because writers often have trouble viewing their writing objectively, proofreading can be difficult for them. They may pass over small errors that others quickly see. A proofreading partner can help find many of the minor errors that the writer may overlook.

Proofreading partners can help each other become better writers. During proofreading students should underline any errors they find in their partner’s work. An alternative to marking clean pages is to use stick-on notes. If partners cannot agree whether an item is wrong, they should consult an appropriate reference book. Having a dictionary and grammar book handy is helpful when proofreading.

Proofreading is not a task of writing to be taken lightly. It is the final stage of the writing process, before sharing your writing with readers.

Exercise 4.3 Partners for Proofing

Work with a partner or friend. Proofread each other’s writing. Find any remaining errors in punctuation, capitalization, spelling, or word usage. Underline any mistakes you find in pencil, or use stick-on notes. After proofreading, discuss the mistakes you found in your partner’s writing. Your partner then discusses the mistakes he found in your work. Check reference sources if necessary. Correct any mistakes and produce the final copy.

Worksheets

Proofreading is a challenging task. The worksheets in this section are designed to provide you with practice in proofreading.

The worksheets, which include both articles and stories, cover a variety of topics. Errors appear in punctuation, capitalization, and word usage. The “Guidelines for Proofreading” (page 178) offer direction for your proofreading efforts.

The worksheets in this part proceed from relatively basic—for example, focusing on end punctuation, commas, and capitalization—to more challenging. Along with general errors in punctuation and capitalization, the directions for Worksheets 4.1 through 4.15 focus on specific errors. The worksheets average about ten errors each, some a few less and some a few more. Many of the errors are obvious. Some are tricky and require sharp concentration.

The Answer Key for the worksheets is found on page 20 5. Note: While most of the corrections are clear-cut, a few, especially concerning the use of commas, are open to interpretation of the context.

As you gain experience with proofreading, your proofreading skills will grow. Proofreading will help you to present polished writing to your readers.