56 How to write texts
8. Proofreading
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WHAT: Proofreading means to check your text for mistakes and improve it. WHY: Spend a few minutes at the end of tests and the exam to check through your text, you might spot spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. A computer spellchecker will not spot all mistakes.
Vocabulary • Read the text aloud ‘inside your head’ to spot if any words have been left out. • Spelling: write problem words various ways to see which version looks right. • Skim your text for homophones. Make sure you have used the correct word. Apostrophes • Skim your text, stopping at words which end in “s.” • If the “s” is used to show possession, there should be an apostrophe (Mary’s book). • In the plural, we only add an “s”, no apostrophe. Verb tenses Copy your text and colour all the verbs; one colour for present and another for past: • Search for typical verbs such as “to be”, “to have” and “to do” (present: be, am, is, are, have, has, do, does / past: was, were, had, did). • Look at the colours: do you have both verb tenses in the same paragraph? Read the paragraph. How have you used each verb? Have you mixed up the verb tenses? If so, change the verb tense in your original text. Subject/Verb Agreement • Stop at the subject of each sentence. • Find the verb that goes with the subject. • Match subject and verb in number; plural subject – plural verb, and vice versa. Structure • Each sentence needs a verb and a subject. • Divide the text into paragraphs. Book of Rules When proofreading your text, search for typical mistakes. Make a “Book of Rules” for the mistakes you often make. Make a note of how to avoid mistakes in grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc.