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CHAPTER
37 Putting Your
Proofreading
Skills to Work
After you have written a paragraph or an essay—once you have prewritten,
drafted, and revised—you are ready for the next step—proofreading.
Proofreading, which takes place at the sentence level, means applying what
you have learned in Units 5 and 6. When you proofread, carefully check each sentence for correct grammar, punctuation, and capitalization. Is every sentence complete? Do all verbs agree with their subjects? Are there any comma errors? Do all
proper nouns begin with a capital letter?
This chapter gives you the opportunity to put your proofreading skills to
work in real-world situations. As you proofread the paragraphs and essays
that follow, you must look for any—and every—kind of error, just as you would
in the real world of college or work. The first four practices tell you what
kinds of errors to look for; if you have trouble, go back to those chapters and review. The other practices, however, contain a random mix of errors and give you
no clues at all.
PROOFREADING PRACTICE 1
Proofread this paragraph, correcting any errors above the lines. To review, see
these chapters:
Chapter 26
run-ons, comma splices, fragments
Chapter 27
present tense problems, subject-verb agreement
Chapter 28
past tense problems
Chapter 29
past participle problems
(1) Mount Everest is the tallest mountain in the world. (2) The highest point
on Earth, and the dangerous dream of every mountain climber. (3) Everest set in
the Himalaya Mountains of central Asia and rise 29,028 feet. (4) The deadliest
threat to climbers are not the steep, icy slopes or even the bitter cold and ferocious
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winds it is the lack of air. (5) Air at the top of Everest has only one-third the oxygen of air below, so without preparation, the average person would live less than
an hour at the summit. (6) In fact, altitude sickness begin at 8,000 feet, with
headache, nausea, and confusion. (7) At 12,000 feet, the brain and lungs starts filling with fluid, which can lead to death. (8) How, then, has anyone ever climbed
Everest, the answer is acclimatization. (9) Mountaineers climb slowly, about
2,000 feet a day, and they drink huge amounts of water. (10) They also carry oxygen. (11) Amazingly, in 1980, the first person to climb Everest solo was also the
first to climb it without oxygen. (12) That was Reinhold Messner from Italy.
(13) Who later wrote in Climbing magazine that the lack of air “saps your judgment and strength, even your ability to feel anything at all. I don’t know how I
made it.” (14) Over 145 climbers have died scaling Mount Everest, nonetheless,
this danger keeps tempting others to try their skills and their luck.
PROOFREADING PRACTICE 2
Proofread this paragraph, correcting any errors above the lines. To review, see
these chapters:
Chapter 20
inconsistency of number or person, parallelism problems
Chapter 26
run-ons, comma splices, fragments
Chapter 27
present tense problems, subject-verb agreement
Chapter 29
past participle problems
Chapter 34
apostrophe errors
(1) American culture emphasizes quick results we pick up fast food and do
our banking in drive-through lanes. (2) We buy gadgets that promise to save you
time. (3) We even call ahead for restaurant seating, so we wont have to wait for a
table. (4) Now a new trend know as speed dating becoming popular in big cities
like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Boston. (5) Also called pre-dating or “McDating.”
(6) This activity is suppose to reduce the time that busy single people spend getting to know each other. (7) Speed dating events are arranged by companies like
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HurryDate and 8MinuteDating. (8) At these events, even numbers of men and
women are paired off, each couple chats for eight to ten minutes while trying to
determine potential compatibility. (9) Then a bell rings, and everyone switch partners. (10) At the end of the session, participants who are interest in each other are
provide with each other’s phone and email contacts. (11) Some say that speed dating is ideal for people who are busy, who dislike the bar scene, or who hope to
lessen the pain of rejection. (12) Others calls it drive-through dating, just another
crazy American fad.
PROOFREADING PRACTICE 3
Proofread this paragraph, correcting any errors above the lines. To review, see
these chapters:
Chapter 26
run-ons, comma splices, and fragments
Chapter 28
past tense errors
Chapter 29
past participle problems
Chapter 33
adjective and adverb errors
(1) Lea Salonga, a talented Broadway performer, has became a role model for
aspiring young actors, both in the United States and her native Philippines.
(2) Born in Manila, Salonga began performing at age seven. (3) After she won a
small part in a local production of The King and I. (4) Her popularity grew quickly.
(5) She acted in many theater productions, recorded a number of albums. (6) And
even star in her own children’s television show, called Love, Lea. (7) Through it all,
Salonga’s parents focused on her education and good manners rather than her
fame. (8) When British talent scouts arrived in Manila, they were charm by the
gracious young woman with the beautiful soprano voice and cast her immediate
as the lead in their new musical Miss Saigon. (9) Salonga was only 20 when she
winned a Tony award for her sensitive portrayal of a Vietnamese woman who
sacrifices her own life to give her child a more better one. (10) Since then, Salonga
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has starred in some of the popularest Broadway musicals, landed a role in As the
World Turns, and singing the soundtrack for the female leads in the Disney films
Aladdin and Mulan. (11) Despite her success, Salonga remains close to her family
and her traditional upbringing. (12) Her first kiss occurred on the set of Miss
Saigon she was chaperoned on dates until she turned 21. (13) Salonga’s parents
have encouraged her to complete her college education. (14) With her balanced
lifestyle and much achievements, Lea Salonga encourages other young people to
follow their dreams without loosing sight of their roots.
PROOFREADING PRACTICE 4
Proofread this paragraph, correcting any errors above the lines. To review, see
these chapters:
Chapter 21
relative clause problems
Chapter 26
run-ons, comma splices, fragments
Chapter 27
present tense problems, subject-verb agreement
Chapter 30
noun errors
Chapter 31
pronoun errors
Chapter 36
capitalization errors
(1) In french, its name means “Circus of the Sun,” but don’t expect Cirque du
Soleil to have old-fashioned lion tamers, elephants on parade, or clowns with
orange hair. (2) Instead, this innovative Quebec-based company draws on the ancient traditions of chinese acrobat. (3) And feature strangely beautiful sets and
costumes. (4) Dramatic lighting and eerie live music sets the mood. (5) Then a
bare-chested man fly through the darkness above the stage, 40-foot wings of red
silk flowing from his arms. (6) Four young asian woman contort their tattooed
bodies so they resemble flowers, figure eight, or spirals. (7) A giant wheel with
human spokes rolls across the stage while acrobats perform. (8) Dangling from an
open door who swings high in the air. (9) In a show called “O,” after the french
word for “water,” a 1.5-million-gallon pool of water appears in the stage, under-
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water swimmers rise magically from the stage floor, and acrobats near the ceiling
dive and disappear into the water. (10) Cirque has grown from a tiny group of
street performers in 1984 to an Entertainment Empire of 500 acrobats which perform in six shows on three continents. (11) The secret of Cirque du soleil’s success
lies in its ongoing spirit of teamwork. (12) Despite their large numbers, performers from forty different countries still create the shows together. (13) Proposing
ideas and designing their own roles. (14) The result is a show that dazzles even
those whom think they have seen it all.
PROOFREADING PRACTICE 5
This paragraph contains many of the errors you have learned to avoid in Unit 6.
Proofread each sentence carefully, and then correct each error above the line.
(1) If you want to eat well and do our planet a favor become a Vegetarian.
(2) Most vegetarian’s eat eggs, milk, dairy products and fish. (3) All youre giving
up are leathery steak’s and overcooked chicken. (4) A vegetarian dinner might
begin with a greek salad of, crisp cucumbers, sweet red onion black olives, and a
sprinkling of feta cheese. (5) Youll think you’re sitting in a little café overlooking
the mediterranean sea. (6) For the main course, head to mexico for tamale pie.
(7) A rich, flavorful dish made of pinto beans’s, brown rice, green peppers and
tomatoes. (8) On the table of course is a loaf of warm bread. (9) Do you have room
for dessert how about some ben and jerrys ice cream, made in vermont? (10) As
you linger over a cup of french espresso coffee think how your vegetarian meal
was delicious, nutritious, and a help to our planet. (11) If more people ate vegetarian the land given to raising cattle and crops to feed cattle could be used for raising grain, many of the worlds hungry people could be fed. (12) To read about
vegetarianism, get the best-known guide laurels kitchen: a handbook for vegetarian
cookery and nutrition.
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PROOFREADING PRACTICE 6
This paragraph contains many of the errors you have learned to avoid in Unit 6.
Proofread each sentence carefully, and then correct each error above the line.
(1) Since ancient times, the Zunis of New Mexico have used fetishes. (2) Small
objects carved from stone or wood that are believed to have magical powers.
(3) The Zuni religion have a complex tradition of fetishes based on the six directions. (4) North, south, east, west, above, and below. (5) Each of the directions are
associated with special forces and a guardian animal. (6) The East, for example,
where the sun rises, is the source of all life, truth, and new ideas it is represented
by a white wolf. (7) Because wolfs are highly intelligent, social, and loving as
parents, they are good to adopt as a personal fetish if you feel you share these
qualities. (8) Likewise, someone facing a big decision or a family problem might
seek the help of their wolf fetish. (9) The other five guardian animals are the
mountain lion, black bear, badger, eagle, and mole. (10) Additional fetish animals
include coyotes, owls, snakes, deers, and rabbits. (11) The Zunis still holds
fetishes sacred in its religion and continues to carve them. (12) In fact, some Zunis
are famous for their distinctive carving, their fetishes sell all over the world as
works of art.
PROOFREADING PRACTICE 7
This essay contains many of the errors you learned to avoid in Unit 6. Proofread
each sentence carefully, and then correct each error above the line.
In the Market for a Used Car?
(1) For several year’s now, used car sales have exceeded new car sales.
(2) Good used cars can be founded at dealers. (3) And through newspaper ads.
(4) You might also let your friends know your in the market for a used car, they
might know of someone who wants to sell their car. (5) Wherever you look for a
used car keep the following tips in mind.
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(6) First shop before you need the car. (7) This way you can decide exactly
what type of car suit you most best. (8) Do you want a compact. (9) Or a midsize
car? (10) What features are important to you? (11) Should you get an americanmade car or a japanese, german, or other import? (12) If you shop when you are’nt
desperate, you are more likely to make a good choice and negotiate good.
(13) Second narrow your choices to three or four cars, and do some research.
(14) Start with the kelley blue book used car price manual, online at http://www.Kbb.
com. (15) The blue book as its called for short gives the current value by model
year and features. (16) Its also a good idea to check consumer reports magazine.
(17) Every april issue lists good used car buys and cars to avoid. (18) Based on
what you learn go back and test-drive the cars that interest you the mostest. (19)
Drive each for at least an hour, drive in stop-and-go traffic in the highway, in
winding roads, and in hills.
(20) When you do decide on a car ask your mechanic to look at it.
(21) Be sure to get a written report that include an estimate of what repair’s will
cost. (22) Money spent at this point is money spent wise, if the seller wont allow
an inspection take your business elsewhere.
(23) When you buy a used car you want dependability and value. (24) Follow
these tip’s youll be able to tell a good buy when you see it.
PROOFREADING PRACTICE 8
This essay contains many of the errors you learned to avoid in Unit 6. Proofread
each sentence carefully, and then correct each error above the line.
Gators and Crocs
(1) With their scaly bodies slit eyes and long tails, alligators and crocodiles
look a lot like dinosaurs. (2) In fact alligators and crocodiles descended from the
same family as dinosaurs. (3) While its true that alligators and crocodiles look a
lot alike, they differ in three ways.
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(4) First alligators and crocodiles are found in different parts of the world.
(5) Alligators be found in china, central america, and south america. (6) On the
other hand, crocodiles are found in africa (especially around the nile river), australia, southeast asia, india, cuba, and the west indies. (7) Only in the southern
united states is both alligators and crocodiles found. (8) In all cases however alligator’s and crocodile’s live in hot, tropical regions. (9) Reptiles are cold-blooded,
so at temperatures below 65 degrees, alligators and crocodiles gets sluggish and
cannot hunt.
(10) Alligators and crocodiles also differ in appearance. (11) Alligators has
broader flatter snouts that are rounded at the end. (12) Crocodiles has narrower
almost triangular snouts. (13) The best way to tell the difference is to view both
from the side when they have their mouths closed, you can see only upper teeth
on an alligator, but you can also see four lower teeth on a croc. (14) If you get really close you can see that alligators have a space between they’re nostrils while
the nostrils of crocs are very close together.
(15) Finally alligators and crocodiles are temperamentally different. (16) Alligators are not aggressive they are even a bit shy. (17) They will lie in wait along a
river bank for prey when on land, they move slow and uneven. (18) Crocodiles,
however, are much more aggressive. (19) They are fast, mean, and often stalk
they’re prey. (20) The australian freshwater crocodile and the nile crocodile can
even run on land, with their front and back legs working together like a dog. (21)
Nile crocodiles kill hundred’s of people every year.
(22) Alligators and crocodiles have outlived the dinosaurs, but they might not
survive hunters who want to turn them into shoes wallets briefcases and belts.
(23) In 1967, the u.s. government declared alligators an endangered species. (24)
Fortunately american alligators have repopulated and are now reclassified as
threatened. (25) Importing crocodile and alligator skins are banned worldwide,
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but some species is still threatened. (26) These frightening and fascinating ancient
creatures need help worldwide if they are to survive.
Exploring Online
http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/proofread.html
Proofreading instruction and practice.
http://ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/
Interactive grammar and writing help. Explore, learn, review!
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UNIT
6
Writers’ Workshop
Adopt a New Point of View
No matter how excellent the content of an essay, report, or business letter, grammatical errors will diminish its impact. Ironically, errors call attention to themselves. Learning to proofread your writing might not seem terribly exciting, but it
is an all-important skill.
When this student received the interesting assignment to write as if you are
someone or something else, he decided to see what it’s like to be a roach. His audience: humans. His tone: wacky. In your group or class, read his essay, aloud if
possible. Underline details or sentences that are especially effective or humorous,
and proofread as you go. If you spot any errors, correct them.
It’s Not Easy Being a Roach
(1) It’s not easy being a roach. My life consist of the constant struggle
to survive. We have existed for millions of years, yet we still do not get
the respect that we deserve. We have witnessed the dawn of the dinosaur and the coming of Jesus. We have experienced two world wars,
enjoyed the benefits of cable television, and feasted our eyes on many
women taking showers. Being small has its advantages, and it doesn’t
hurt to be quick either. Because we have live so long. You would think
that respect would be ours, but that is not the case.
(2) We are looked upon as pests rather than pets, we are quieter than
household pets. We don’t eat much, and contrary to popular belief, we
are very clean. Sure, some of us prefers the wild life of booze, drugs, and
unprotected sex with other insects, but that doesn’t mean that most of us
are not seeking a happy life that includes love and affection from you
humans. I think it’s high time that you appreciated our value as insects,
pets, and potential lifelong companions.
(3) I might have six legs, but that doesn’t mean I can handle all the
burdens that come with being a roach. My wife is pregnant again, which
means 10,000 more mouths to feed. It’s bad enough that I have to find a
meal fit for thousands, I also live in fear of becoming a Roach McNugget.
For some strange reason, rodents consider us food. Do I look scrumptious to you? Does my body ignite wild fantasies of sinful feasting? I
think not. Mice and rats refuse to respect us because they see us as midnight munchies.
(4) I don’t ask for much—a home, some food, and maybe an occasional pat on the head. If I can’t have these simple things, I would prefer
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somebody simply step on me. A fast, hard crunch would do—no spraying
me with roach spray, no Roach Motel. I may be on the lower end of the
species chain, but that doesn’t mean I’m not entitled to live out my dreams.
I am roach and hear me roar!
(5) When you humans kill each other off with nuclear bombs, we will
still be around. With luck on our side, we will grow into big monsters because of exposure to radiation. Then I don’t think those of you who remains
will enjoy being chased around by giant, glowing roaches—all because you
humans didn’t want to hug a roach when you had the chance.
(6) One more thing: Stop trying to kill us with that pine-scented roach
spray. It doesn’t kill us it just makes us smell bad. If I want to smell like pine
trees, I will go and frolic in some wood, naked and free. You people really
tick me off.
—Israel Vasquez (Student)
1. How effective is Mr. Vasquez’s essay?
Strong thesis statement?
Good supporting details?
Logical organization?
Effective conclusion?
2. Discuss your underlinings. What details or lines in the essay did you like the
most? Explain as exactly as possible why you like something or why it made
you laugh.
3. Mr. Vasquez’s sense of humor comes through to readers. Does he also achieve
his goal of presenting a roach’s point of view?
4. Would you suggest any revisions? Is this essay effective or offensive? Why?
Does the final paragraph provide a strong and humorous conclusion, or does
it seem like an afterthought?
5. This essay contains several serious grammar errors. Can you find and correct
them? What two error patterns does this fine writer need to watch out for?
Group Work
In writing as in life, it is often easier to spot other people’s errors than our own. In
your group or class, discuss your particular error patterns and how you have
learned to catch them. Do you have problems with comma splices, -ed verb endings, or prepositional phrases? Discuss any proofreading tricks and techniques
you have learned to spot and correct those errors successfully in your own
papers. Have someone jot down the best techniques that your group mates have
used, and be prepared to share these with the class.
Writing and Revising Ideas
1. Adopt a new point of view; discuss your life as a bird, animal, insect, or
object.
2. Write as a person of another gender, ethnic group, or period in history.
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