As a ghost writer and article expert, I am always looking for efficient, quick and creative tips for proofreading. Unfortunately, for proofreaders and ghostwriters alike, there is simply no exact or perfect science to insanity. It is an art in itself.

It is through practice and repetition that a concealer can become a great concealer. Many times in our writings it is very easy to get confused in certain aspects. It is typical to want to say one thing but say or write another. It’s hard to keep everything perfect, but with a little guidance, you can certainly do it.

Also, being able to write and edit with efficiency and correct structure is a virtue that every writer must continually work on and perfect. If you want to become a better and more competent proofreader, read these tips and practice, practice, practice!

1. Focus

Concentration is essential, especially when you are reading an article, document or email to perfect it down to the smallest detail. Whether you’re proofreading for someone else or yourself, you need to work in an environment that allows you to focus; otherwise you will end up with the wrong paper.

2. Take a break

Taking some time to stop, rest your eyes, and then get back to the job you’re working on can be beneficial. Resting allows you to pick up on things you may have missed the first or second time. Let’s be honest; sometimes you just need a break.

3. Focus on one thing at a time

To avoid getting overwhelmed or missing key errors, it’s important to break the document you’re working on into sections and only focus on certain issues one at a time. You may find it beneficial to break the paper into parts and focus on problems with sentence structure, then move on to word choice, spelling, and finishing with punctuation. You may also want to search for the following, of course, one at a time:

– Homonyms: Homonyms are words that share the same pronunciation or spelling. Words like “except” and “accept” and “comply” and “complement.”

– Apostrophes and Contractions: These include words like “there”, “their” and “are”, or “two”, “to” and “also”. A key to apostrophes is to remember that they are never used to formulate plurals. Just possessive.

4. Facts, Names and Numbers = Check:

Not only do you need to focus on spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors, but you also need to make sure you have the correct data. Double-check numbers, statistics, and full, formal names are very important. If you’re wrong, made a mistake, or put an extra zero where you shouldn’t, it could damage your credibility in the future.

5. Printed copy:

Having a copy of whatever you’re working on in a printed format can seriously affect your ability to spot erroneous material. Being able to go through it line by line and being able to write on paper can be a big help. Nice little changes, like fixing a screen on paper, can help you catch bugs you may have previously missed.

6. Verbally check:

Not only are hard copies helpful, but it can also be beneficial to read your material out loud. Some problems that you don’t detect visually can be detected verbally.

7. Dictionary:

If you’re not sure of the specific wording or if it’s correct, a dictionary is still helpful, even in this highly technical age. Equally important, if you’re looking to expand your vocabulary, a thesaurus is a great idea.

8. Start from the end:

Another strategy that can help you catch mistakes you may have previously missed is to start at the end of your article, newsletter, or book and work backwards. It is another way to review and focus more on the words than on the structures of complete sentences.

9. Ask for a second opinion:

Asking someone else to proofread the piece of writing you’re working on can be very helpful. Another person can give a new perspective and pick up things that you may have missed. This person can be a proofreader, but they don’t have to be. Anyone who knows how to read will be able to find mistakes, if there are any.

10. Make a checklist:

Just like this list I’ve written for you, you can use your own skills and habits and develop your own list that you can check off as you review. This is to ensure that no specific area is missed. You can also make a note of the things you miss on a regular basis so you’ll see them next time.

Now that you have a useful checklist, start working on improving your habits. Hopefully, you’ll find at least one of these suggestions helpful in your review efforts. What is one thing you do when you go about your review efforts? Share and we will add them to this list.