Five golden rules for proofreading texts
Correct and competent texts on the website or in documentations is a visiting card of every reputable web resource, from corporate sites to personal blogs. High-quality text content, without errors, typos and inaccuracies, reflects the proper competence of your online project.
Errors can now be found in any, even the most reputable publication, on state portals and in major online media. The pursuit of the speed of posting information often makes it necessary to reduce the quality requirements of the released tests. Everyone is used to mistakes in newspapers and news. The sites even have a function - to report an error, which indicates that the sites have come to terms with illiteracy.
The problem can be solved simply: before placing the text in electronic media or in print media, it is necessary to carry out professional text correction. Corrections, or proofreading, is the correction of grammatical and technical errors in the text.
But how do you avoid annoying gaps in grammar and spelling? Why is it hard to find typos even when reading the original article repeatedly? How to organize effective verification of content in order to actually confirm the high quality of copyrighted materials?
1. No haste
Proofreading does not tolerate fuss and haste. Indeed, the technical verification of textual content is a meticulous process when it is necessary to peer into each letter, comma and period. Instead of the usual cursory review of entire sentences and paragraphs, you will have to slowly check all the words to see the content through the eyes of future readers.
2. Increase the font or Ctrl + Shift +F
A good effect when checking articles for literacy is given by changing the font size. Larger characters are perceived differently and this contributes to the quick finding of errors. Another method is to read the words twice: first the sentences, and then, according to the words from its end.
3. Correct immediately and follow Ctrl + H
If you find a typo or a mistake - immediately correct the spelling. Use the search on the page and immediately change the words with errors to the correct spelling. This simple way will help to eliminate the appearance of typical errors (typos) that are common to every person. Be careful when using automatic spell checking software. In some cases, inconsistent endings, extra punctuation marks and incorrect word forms occur.
4. Spell the names correctly + refer to Google
Respect proper names: names of cities, geographical objects, historical figures and just ordinary people with whom you live in the same historical era. If you have any doubts about the correct spelling, go to the official Internet resource (the source of the material), where you will find the correct version in the original interpretation.
5. Maintain uniformity
The inconsistency in the choice of signs and symbols, the different spelling of numeric and physical quantities, as well as other common mistakes, are clearly visible to an outsider who will notice not only errors, but also similar shortcomings. It is important to develop a unified method of writing and follow the rules of proofreading texts. Pay attention to any details: headings, links, image captions, tables and explanations. Only in this way can texts be made correct and correct.
To sum up, errors in the text can cost you a reputation. Moreover, an innocent typo can change the meaning of an entire phrase. Therefore, it is important hand your texts to a proofreader prior to having it published.