Editing and proofreading are essential to producing high-quality content. When writing content, spelling, grammar and syntax are all important. If they’re lacking, readers will get bored. Also, when reading content, these are vital and impact the reader experience.
Make high-quality content by correcting spelling and grammar mistakes, syntax, and plagiarism. By checking for these things, you’ll make sure that the content you write is not good but great!
Most of the content, especially online, are not up to mark. As a result, people are not interested in reading them.
Content quality is a key thing you must consider when writing content. Let’s get into some tips to make your editing and proofreading faster and easier.
1. Make a Proofreading Checklist
Making a checklist is a great way to smoothen the editing and proofreading process. Writers often make unintentional mistakes when writing. Such as using “Also” and “As Well” in the same sentence, which is a form of redundancy.
Creating a checklist of common errors is an easy way to spot them. The checklist you create should cover:
- common grammatical errors
- sentence structure formation errors
- syntax errors
- the use of different contextual words
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2. Check drafts with Grammarly and HemingwayApp
Grammarly is an app or extension that acts as a writing assistant to detect writing errors. It uses AI to review grammar, punctuation, clarity, engagement, delivery, and spelling errors. Grammarly has a free plan that offers basic writing suggestions and grammar check. While its paid plan helps rewrite sentences, detect plagiarism, and provides analytics.
Paid plans start at $15 per user per month, with at least five users. So $75 a month.
The HemingwayApp is an editor that identifies grammar mistakes and corrects sentence structure. It aims to make your phrasing more concise and impactful by removing unnecessary phrases. Hemingway Editor is the free online version. While the Hemingway App is the paid downloadable version. The paid version costs a one-time payment of $19.99 for either Mac or Windows.
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3. Cut Irrelevant Segments
Cutting out irrelevant segments makes your writing more concise. Generally, most writers don’t like this stage, because they hate having their own words cut. But things don’t work that way.
If a sentence doesn’t go with the flow of the content, the editor needs to cut it. If a part is too complicated, the editor needs to split, rearrange, or cut sentences. That’s his job.
Sometimes, no matter how strong you have a firm belief in an argument that doesn’t go with the flow of the content, and to avoid such cases, you would have to cut down the phrases that are giving such an impression.
4. Read your Own Writing Aloud
If you want to make sure your content is conversational and flows well, then the best way is to read aloud.
Reading your writing aloud allows you to spot run-on fragments within the content. Listening to the words as you read allows you to view the content and its relevance from a different frame of mind.
5. Go for a Break While Editing and Proofreading
Experts suggest that to avoid mistakes while editing you should always take a break. Try walking away from your desk to refill your coffee or stretch your legs. This refreshes your mind and makes it easier to catch errors when you get back to work.
You can take a stroll outside, grab a drink, or even meditate for a few minutes to relax.
Proofreading can exhaust the eyes so refresh yourself by taking breaks.
To develop something that can benefit you in accomplishing the task.
6. Avoid Jargon Words and Phrases
You must avoid jargon words unless you are writing for a specific audience. Using words your readers are not familiar with is not a good approach. While proofreading, ensure the words aren’t difficult for the general audience.
You can use a paraphrasing tool to rephrase and get the best words for your content. It will help you make the content easy to read and understand. The more readability a content has, the more you will outshine others.
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7. Edit Hard Copy of Content
The editing process is often much easier when you proofread with a printed copy. Staring at a computer screen to edit usually leads to a shorter attention span and miss errors
Editing with hard copy allows you to spot mistakes that could impact the quality of your content. You can also read faster, and your eyes can catch typography errors like if a different font.
8. Avoid Distractions
Another great way to proofread content is to cut all distractions. Keep your mobile phone aside and don’t interact with anyone. This will help you build concentration and find mistakes in the content. While you are in the proofreading process, make sure you aren’t checking emails or searching the web.
Proofreading requires you to be patient and precise. Take regular breaks if you’re tired or overthinking. When proofreading content, use a quiet room and switch off distracting devices.
9. Look for Errors At A Time
Never try to find all the errors in a single go. It’s the biggest mistake proofreaders often commit. Looking for all the errors at the same time doesn’t make things smooth.
Sometimes, it makes the editing process even worse. The human brain cannot categorize the mistakes in a flow, so you should look for different errors one at a time.
You can start with spotting new errors in connecting or transitional words. But you should keep in mind that not every transition word can work as a replacement for another.
After that, you can find and replace difficult words that don’t suit the context of the content.
Conclusion
We, humans, tend to make mistakes. If you want your content free from unnecessary detail, the best way is to edit and proofread your content. While reading the content and making it error-free, there shouldn’t be anything else on your mind.
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