Proofreading Your Paper
General Tips
1. Know yourself as a writer.
 What mistakes do you commonly make?
Do professors comment on the same problem over and over?
A writing tutor can teach you to avoid these mistakes
2. Take a break between writing and proofreading.
 Although a day or two between writing and editing is better, even a short break
with help you approach your paper with a clear head and a discerning eye.
3. Read your paper out loud.
 This is an excellent way to identify grammar errors and awkward, unclear
sentences. Sometimes you need to “hear” an error in order to correct it.
4. Focus on each line of text.
 Use a blank piece of paper to cover the rest of your text, forcing you to look more
closely at each line individually.
5. Don’t rely on Grammar and Spell Check.
 These tools can be helpful, but they miss a large number of errors. Review with a
critical eye, and look up words and grammar rules if you are unsure.
Essay Structure
1. Have a clear and narrow thesis statement.
A thesis is the focused, main idea of your paper. What are you trying to prove? What is
your point of view? Your thesis statement should appear in your introduction and provide
the framework for your paper.
2. Develop an outline.
An outline will help you organize your paper. Use your outline to identify the main ideas
and subtopics that you will discuss. This framework will help you remain focused, and it
will provide the structure for your paragraphs.
3. Each paragraph should have a topic sentence.
The first sentence of every paragraph should introduce the topic to be discussed. This
main idea sentence should be followed by supporting sentences that provide details that
support the topic.
4. Use transitions.
Transitions can be a few words or a whole paragraph, depending on the length of your
paper. They guide the reader from one topic to another; they make your paper flow.
5. Consider your introduction.
Each paper should have a strong “grabber” sentences that engages the reader. You can
put the information in a shared context, provide an interesting statistic or include an
inspiring quote. Let the reader know why this topic is important.
6. Review your conclusion.
Reread your introduction, and be sure the conclusion reflects it. The conclusion should
summarize the information already stated. No new information should be in the
conclusion.
Sentence Structure
1. Use a variety of sentence types.
Sentences should vary in length and styles to avoid choppy, monotonous writing.
2. Remove jargon, clichés, slang and sarcasm.
These are inappropriate in an academic paper. Reword these phrases to communicate your
meaning in a more direct manner.
3. Use modifiers to create more descriptive sentences.
Adjectives, adverbs, and prepositional phrases add depth to your writing, without adding
extra sentences to your paper. Use them to paint a more accurate portrait. Do your sentences
answer these questions: How? Why? Where? When?
4. Remove all unnecessary words.
We often write the way we speak, adding extra words and phrases that are not necessary.
Phrases such as “the fact that” and “for the purpose of” will clog up your writing. Make sure
your text is clear, direct and concise.
5. Make sure each sentence is a complete thought.
Avoid fragments and run-on sentences. Does each sentence have a subject and
predicate?
Grammar Review Checklist
1. Subject/Verb Agreement:
Do your subjects and verbs agree in number?
2. Pronoun/Antecedent Agreement:
Do your pronouns agree with the noun they are replacing in number and
gender?
3. Avoid passive voice:
The subject should be the person or thing providing the action in your
sentence.
4. Verb tense: Are your verbs in the same tense throughout your paper?
5. Remove unnecessary words:
Trim all “filler” words that do not add meaning to your paper
6. Parallel Structure:
Did you form lists of words using the same part of speech? (Walking,
dancing, singing)
7. Place your modifiers carefully:
Make sure descriptive words and phrases are placed next to the word they
modify.
8. Avoid ending a sentence with a preposition:
If your sentence ends with a preposition, try rewriting the sentence by
rearranging words and ideas.
9. Punctuate carefully:
if you are unsure, review the rules for commas, semicolons, and apostrophes.
10. Review Writing and Grammar Rules:
Make an appointment at the ARC to review writing and/or grammar rules
with a writing tutor!