Are editing and proofreading the same thing?
Editing and proofreading are not the same thing.
What is editing?
Editing involves going over your writing, and changing things to make sure that your content is presented as clearly as possible, structured appropriately and has a suitable style. It is a broad process related to :
- Clarity
- Content
- Logic of argument
- Structure and style
What is proofreading?
Proofreading is a final micro process where you read for:
- Spelling
- Punctuation
- Grammatical errors
Can these skills be learnt?
The good news is that these skills can be learnt. With practice, you will become experts at editing and proofreading your work.
Here are some tips for editing and proofreading your work:
- Leave the text alone for at least 24 hours - so you can approach it with fresh eyes.
- Edit and proofread from a printed copy of the text – you will find many more errors compared to reading on the screen.
- Change the look of the document –font size, spacing which should help you spot even more mistakes.
- Find a quiet place without distractions – so you can focus.
- Read the text aloud – many students find this a more effective way of correcting their grammar.
- Work in short blocks of time – Less than 20 minutes.
- Keep a personal list of your common errors and check these off as you check your work.
