Proofreading And Editing 

Importance of proofreading and editing

• It enhances the quality of work submitted through
• It plays a significant role in the final score attained by students

Difference between proofreading and editing

• • Proofreading and editing go hand in hand, and in some cases, some people use them synonymously. However, there is a difference between the two:
  • Editing involves reading to identify and correct mistakes for example improving the structure, getting rid of redundancies, improving the clarity, etc, on the other hand, proofreading comes after editing, and the main purpose is to recommend a change to errors that may have skipped the eye of the editor.

How to proofread and edit

1)     Read the paper backward as you proofread and forward as you edit

Reading backward seems boring because it lacks flow, but it is important because it causes the reader to focus on the text as opposed to focusing on the ideas. Editing, focuses on both the text and the ideas, as such, editing is more involving than proofreading.

2)     Have variation

Note, there is a difference between multitasking and having variation. This means that while proofreading and editing, introduce a different activity that will take the mind away from the main thing. Proofreading and editing is demanding and can be monotonous.

3)     Know what you are proofreading and editing for

There are common items found in the proofreading and editing checklist. However, it is important to consult with the relevant faculty or supervisor to know the specifics of an assignment. this is most important especially when writing a dissertation or a thesis.

4)     Get a different party to read the text

Even after proofreading and editing a text severally, there is a probability that mistakes escape one’s attention. Through introducing a different eye, such mistakes are identified and corrected accordingly.