It seems obvious, but proofreading is a great way to make sure your work is free of mistakes. A good rule of thumb is to step away from your paper after you've finished writing it and come back with fresh eyes. Go get a snack, play outside, watch tv, anything to clear your brain. You'll be more likely to catch mistakes that way. Why? It's science! Check out this page for more information.
Suggestions for effective proofreading:
*Start at the end and work to the beginning
This helps you to see the sentence structure and grammar of the paper rather than focusing on the words themselves.
*Check for one type of error at a time
Read through your paper a couples of times and look for something different each time. For example, on your first pass look for spelling errors. On the second go-around, check for punctuation issues.
*Read the paper out loud
It sounds silly but it will help your brain slow down and process the words.
*Ask someone else to read your paper
Someone who has never seen your paper before is more likely to find mistakes that you may have missed.
*Get help
Ask your instructor, your friendly neighborhood librarian, or the Citrus College Writing Center. We're here for you!
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