Tips for Proofreading your own document

Here are some simple steps to follow when proofreading a document -

Fresh eyes - proofread your document first thing in the morning or when you are at your most alert. Take a break often to avoid tiredness.

Spellcheck - don't rely completely on your computer's spellcheck. It cannot pick up errors where a word is spelt incorrectly but sounds the same as another word.

Read it up, down, left and right - reading your work aloud is one of the most effective ways to spot errors. If time permits, read your piece backwards which can help you to spot spelling mistakes.

Review, review, review - read your document again. You might just catch further mistakes or decide to change some of the wording.

Phone a friend - ask a friend or family member to read your document (preferably someone with a good grasp of grammar and the English language). More often than not, they will give honest feedback and make sensible suggestions.

If you're editing on screen, proofread a hard copy as well. Unfortunately when self-editing and proofreading we don't see things as clearly on the screen and can often miss that all elusive error.

What other proofreading suggestions and techniques would you give to potential clients or businesses? I would love to hear from you.

Sarah, MSA Professional Services

(www.msaprofessional.com.au)