Self-proofreading refers to the process of improving your own written work through the correction of errors, the revision of structure, and the refinement of word choice. Self-proofreading contrasts with the now widespread practice of using proofreading services.
Image: Self-proofreading is when you check over your own written work
The purpose of a proofreading service is to find and fix every typographical mistake that a document contains. If you’re proofreading your own work, it may be unfamiliar to you that professional proofreaders use dedicated checklists to ensure they work to a high standard.
In a typical professional proofreading checklist, which it is strongly recommended that you use, the following issues are focused on:
- Removing unnecessary words
- Spelling and grammar
- Improving clarity
- Minimising jargon
- Avoiding repetition
- Avoiding long sentences
- Formatting
When you self-proofread your writing, it is crucial to pay close attention to each of the above areas before considering your manuscript complete.
Image: Following a proofreading checklist can massively improve your writing
In a professional proofreading service, proofreaders typically follow the 10% rule. Often attributed to the author Stephen King, who wrote about the 10% rule in his book On Writing, the rule states that a first draft can always be cut down in length by 10% without losing any significant meaning.
For example, if your manuscript is 10,000 words long, Stephen King’s 10% rule would suggest that 1,000 of these words can be cut somehow (in this case, through proofreading).
On the basis of the 10% rule, it is always worth trying to maximise the concision of your written work when you engage in self-proofreading. If you can’t pay for professional proofreading services, this is certainly the next best thing.
Image: Stephen King’s 10% rule helps you to avoid wordiness in your writing
Another important tip that professionals follow when proofreading, and which you also should try, is to keep your audience in mind – ideally all the time. Writing should always be tailored to the intended audience, which we immediately see when considering the differences between a university essay and an email intended for a colleague.
To help you write most effectively for your target reader, you should ask yourself the following questions:
- Is this written in a way that my reader can understand?
- What would my reader think of this phrase or sentence?
- Are there other suitable phrasings?
One trick that writers often use is to imagine a person that they know well who can serve as a stand-in the general audience. This helps them to visualise their audience and eases the writing and proofreading process.
Professional Proofreading Services 