Proofreading ... ugh

[MathGirl]

I just made a little discovery, and I thought I'd share it. Hopefully, someone else might be able to use it.

I finished writing something, thoroughly proofread it several times, and decided it was free of typos.

For some reason I used "Print Preview" and read it again. I found two typos I hadn't seen before.

It seemed like seeing and reading it in a different font and line lengths made me pay closer attention and spot those typos.

Now, when it's posted, I'll find ONE MORE.

Helpfully,
MG

 

[MNGuy]

 

[OT]

Back in the days before spell check, an oft used trick of the truly dedicated was to read a paper backwards. It's truly amazing how many typos you can find if you can trick your brain into reading "out of context" or as you pointed out, with just a slightly different perspective.

 

[MathGirl]

Re: Re: Proofreading ... ugh

Back in the days before spell check,

I write my stuff with WordPad. There's no spell checker on there. Do I have to use Word 6.0 to get the spell checker?
MG

 

[OT]

Re: Re: Re: Proofreading ... ugh

I write my stuff with WordPad. There's no spell checker on there. Do I have to use Word 6.0 to get the spell checker?
MG

short answer yes, but there are free programs that have reasonable spellcheck as well. (I've been using Cetus CWordPad for years and I actually like its spellcheck better than Word. It seems to think like I do)

 

[Shahrazad]

A very good friend of mine who also happens to be a fan of my work proofs all my stuff. He uses a spell check first than accually reads it for those tricky words.I'm lucky to have such an admirer

 

[ronde]

I just made a little discovery, and I thought I'd share it. Hopefully, someone else might be able to use it.

I finished writing something, thoroughly proofread it several times, and decided it was free of typos.

For some reason I used "Print Preview" and read it again. I found two typos I hadn't seen before.

It seemed like seeing and reading it in a different font and line lengths made me pay closer attention and spot those typos.

Now, when it's posted, I'll find ONE MORE.

Helpfully,
MG

You also discovered a phenomonon well known in the field of quality control - 100% inspection is about 80% effective. In other words, if there are 10 typos in a piece, you will find only 8 on the first check. On the second you will find 80% of the remaining two - say 1 of them on average. It will take at least 3 reads to find all ten, assuming you correct the errors as you find them. The reason for this is the marvelous capacity of the human brain to make it's own corrections without telling it's owner.

Of course, the effectivness of the inspection will decrease if the typos are correctly spelled words used in the wrong context, because you then have two conditions to evaluate - does the word fit in the context , and if so, is it spelled correctly for the context. Simple probability would indicate a success rate of 64% in this case.

 

[karmadog]

In other words, if there are 10 typos in a piece, you will find only 8 on the first check. On the second you will find 80% of the remaining two - say 1 of them on average. It will take at least 3 reads to find all ten, assuming you correct the errors as you find them.

This is certainly true, but writer's suffer from seeing what they thought they wrote rather than what they actually wrote. So, it takes two people each reading a story at least twice to catch most of the errors.

Errors will still be there.

 

[TrinaT]

Re: Re: Proofreading ... ugh

Back in the days before spell check, an oft used trick of the truly dedicated was to read a paper backwards. It's truly amazing how many typos you can find if you can trick your brain into reading "out of context" or as you pointed out, with just a slightly different perspective.

In a class of grammar basics that our office took, not only can you read it in the reverse order but as hard as it may seem, viewing the printed page upside down will have those errors pop out at you. We've used this theory for text placement on pages, spacing errors, paragraph length, etc.

Typing scientific manuscripts can be boring at times and proofreading them just as boring. We have a small room that we use to read the papers aloud, you'd be amazed what you find by slowly reading each word and sentence.

Even now when I read the pieces I've had posted here, I find my errors because I was to anxious to post the story. But, I'm learning patience.

The best idea was suggested to me from an author here at Lit, just put the piece away for a week or two then go back and the errors will jump out.

Trina T.

 

[MNGuy]

This might sound stupid. But when I am really tired and trying to proofread. I read it out loud. hearing it as well as reading it helps me catch things I would normally miss. Plus the dogs seem to enjoy being read to.

 

[OT]

This is certainly true, but writer's suffer from seeing what they thought they wrote rather than what they actually wrote. So, it takes two people each reading a story at least twice to catch most of the errors.

Errors will still be there.

To asymptotically approach perfection is the writer's lot.

 

[wildsweetone]

Re: Re: Re: Proofreading ... ugh

In a class of grammar basics that our office took, not only can you read it in the reverse order but as hard as it may seem, viewing the printed page upside down will have those errors pop out at you. We've used this theory for text placement on pages, spacing errors, paragraph length, etc.

Trina T.

The stories I proofread, I don't print off. I doubt my old monitor will cope with being turned upside down, will it work the same if I stand on my head? Do I have to turn the keyboard upside down also?

*giggling*

...Not only different font and line lengths can help, but also try using a different colour while you're proofreading.

Even after you've left your work for a week, you will still miss some of the typos. The idea of leaving your work is so you actually forget what you've written. When you come back to it, it will seem as if it is somebody elses work. That's the best time to proofread/edit.

ReadPlease2003 is a program I use on my pc for reading some of my work out to me. Unfortunately it only appears to come with an American accent, although I like it, my ears take a while to turn in properly to it.

 

[SlickTony]

That's why I pore over and tweak stuff for about a week before I go to release it.

 

[MathGirl]

Shazam!

That's why I pore over and tweak stuff for about a week before I go to release it.

I've never tried that. When I've finished something and proof read it, it's off.

Of course, when I read it on the site I always wished I'd taken a little more time.

Instant gratification, that's me.

MG

 

[OT]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Proofreading ... ugh

Do I have to turn the keyboard upside down also?

You might be on to something there. Type backwards, then proofreading becomes a piece-o-cake.

Disclaimer:
Not responsible for Satanic messages that may emerge whilst typing.

 

[Croctden]

Proof Readers Error

The simplest solution would obviously be to have someone else proof read, human beings have this flaw of reading what they thought they wrote. Reading backwards works too, but I have a different suggestion: I’m dyslexic and one of the ways I get around that while typing is I use dictation software. It also helps in proof reading because you can have it read what you wrote back to you. You’ll notice instantly when something sounds off. I have no idea what type of computer you have, but I know there are plenty of programs and websites (although they may have censors) some of which are free you can get. Having the story read to you also helps you get a feel for its flow, although the computer’s voice is not very sultry.

 

[wildsweetone]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Proofreading ... ugh

You might be on to something there. Type backwards, then proofreading becomes a piece-o-cake.

Disclaimer:
Not responsible for Satanic messages that may emerge whilst typing.

I'm one of those people who never learnt the alphabet backwards. This took me about 10 minutes to type - can't think why I didn't time myself out - backwards. I only recommend it to people who enjoy the anticipation of the ride more than the ride itself.

~~~
m'I eno fo esoht elpoep owh reven tnrael eht tebaphla .sdrawkcab

backwards. alphabet the learnt never who people those of one I'm

~~~

I hate it either way

...and man it sure plays havoc with my 90+wpm. grrr

 

[MathGirl]

Gd Grf

Good grief!
MG

 

[wildsweetone]

good grief what? my lousy english coming to the forefront again?

 

[OT]

Re: Gd Grf

"Gd Grf" is a great example of just how forgiving our brains can be.

I vaguely remember a "bit error rate analysis" that set out to prove superiority of brains over machines. You can randomly omit (or corrupt) about 50% of the characters in a given bit of text and we with our clever brains can still make sense of it.

Of course, that doesn't bode so well for proof reading.

 

[Sabledrake]

This might sound stupid. But when I am really tired and trying to proofread. I read it out loud. hearing it as well as reading it helps me catch things I would normally miss. Plus the dogs seem to enjoy being read to.

I agree. I had a novel-length manuscript that I'd spell-checked numerous times, read over myself, had three other people read, and still, when the time came to record it as an audio book, I not only found typos but caught some plot mistakes as well. It really helped, embarrassing though it was at the time.

Sabledrake

 

[Shahrazad]

Re: Proof Readers Error

although the computer’s voice is not very sultry.

*Volenteers to lend her voice for all sultry readings *

 

[Svenskaflicka]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Proofreading ... ugh

You might be on to something there. Type backwards, then proofreading becomes a piece-o-cake.

Disclaimer:
Not responsible for Satanic messages that may emerge whilst typing.

!retupmoc siht edisni deppart m'I !pleH

 

[waterkemist]

proofreading

I'll proofread for you Mathgirl. As long as you wait until the end of the semester. Going back to school has increased my ability to find errors in all but my own work, so I'm willing to give it a try.

I just found out that one can edit a story after it has posted. Check the FAQ page.

Hey is that you in the picture? Not the image that the name "Mathgirl" formed in my mind.

-Waterkemist