do you know how to proofread your own writing?

Are you a good writer?


Some people are just great at writing, whether it is an email, a novel, or a business plan.
If you are not the most confident writer, then read on.


Here are some tips for you to help with your writing


Some experts say that the font of your document should be Times New Roman, as that is easier to read when there is a lot of text.
Font size should be 12 pt, and spacing between lines 1.5


Spellcheck - computer vs human
After doing the computerized spellcheck, read again to see the things the computer doesn't know, i.e. the difference between ‘their', ‘there', and ‘they're'.


Changes
If you change a word at the last minute, make sure to read the whole sentence again, or even the paragraph, as it might be possible that you changed the intended meaning with just one word.


Breathe
Let your story breathe … Give it a break, then proofread it. This will allow you to view your writing with fresh eyes.


Zoom In
Zoom into the document to make the writing larger – DO NOT change the font size! That will change any formatting you had done previously or that you are doing now.


Reading
Read out loud – if it sounds weird, there is probably something wrong and needs to be changed. Also, you immerse yourself even more into your story and find subtle inconsistencies.


Comma, semicolon, full stop

• At a comma, stop a little,
• At a semicolon, somewhat more;
• Add a full stop for a longer pause.

When you read out loud, you will hear those differences.


Wear Out Your Dictionary
Once you have a dictionary, use it as much as possible.
When you sit down to write and need a particular word, pause to consider the key ideas you want to convey. Start with a word that's in the ballpark. Look it up and go from there, exploring synonyms, roots, and usage notes.


Be Patient With Your Writing
If you can't find the right word for one sentence, check out the internet and see if you can find it. Even then, a word may be elusive, refusing to emerge from the mind one day only to arise from the subconscious the next. Be prepared to rewrite today what you revised yesterday. 


I hope these suggestions help you to be as confident in your writing as possible. You can also contact me if you need some help.