M05-2: Proofreading guidelines

List of simple writing and proofreading criteria on the language and paragraph level.

Has the author

• completed the sentences: relates to a finished thought or action
• used correct punctuation marks
• written out all verb forms (can‘t, it‘s, don‘t)
• avoided starting sentences with and, but, because, so
• used logical discourse markers/linkers
• avoided ending sentences with 'too, also, though, yet'
• avoided the verb 'to get'
• avoided vagueness, sensationalism, exaggeration (f.ex. a bit, a lot, amazing, incredible, absolute statements)
• Used articles: the and a
• Written paragraphs of an appropriate length, with one idea, and a topic sentence?

Here you find three websites that provide information and checklists on proofreading. This material helps you when you are proofreading your own writing or somebody else’s.

• General strategies on proofreading
• Finding common errors