C h a p t e r 4
Proofreading
W
hen you have revised so that content and structure are as accurate and concise
as you can make them, then you are ready to prepare the final draft. Whether
you prepare the final draft at the computer or by writing it out by hand, you need to
proofread it for accuracy.
Use the following guiding questions in addition to those included in the proofreading
sections for the specific paper you are writing.STEP 1: Checking for Punctuation and Mechanics
Use the following questions to check for possible punctuation or mechanics problems:-^ Have I punctuated my sentences accurately so that I have avoided major
sentence errors like fragments and run-ons? [See references to each of the marks
of punctuation in the Glossary and Chapter 45, Punctuation.]
- Have^ I^ included^ accurate^ punctuation^ so^ that^ the^ meaning^ of^ sentences^ is^ clear?
- If^ I^ used^ semicolons^ and^ colons,^ have^ I^ used^ them^ accurately?
- Have^ I^ used^ accurate^ capitalization?
- If^ documentation^ is^ required,^ have^ I^ documented^ accurately?^ [See Chapter 34,
Research Paper.] - Is^ the^ documentation^ note^ complete^ and^ accurate,^ including^ its^ punctuation?
-^ Is the corresponding bibliography complete and accurate and punctuated
correctly? - Have^ I^ spelled^ all^ words^ correctly?^ Refer^ to^ a^ good^ dictionary^ for^ preferred^
spellings.
STEP 2: Checking for Grammar and Usage
Use the following questions to help you spot possible grammar or usage problems:- Do^ all^ of^ my^ subjects^ and^ verbs^ agree?^ [See Agreement of Subject and Verb in
Chapter 43, Usage.] - Do^ nouns^ and^ pronouns^ agree^ both^ in^ number^ and^ gender?^ [See Pronoun
Usage in Chapter 43, Usage.] - Have^ I^ used^ the^ correct^ verb^ forms,^ especially^ for^ irregular^ verbs?
- Have^ I^ used^ the^ objective^ case^ accurately^ where^ it^ is^ required?^ [See Chapter 43,
Usage.]