BeckyA
Newbie
Posts: 32
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« on: October 28, 2009, 08:18:07 am » |
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I am having a real problem at work with proofreading my work. My boss has mentioned I need to proofread my stuff better. I love what I do and I am good at it, well everything but proofreading. It is such a vital part of the job and I kick myself when I make a mistake. It isn't that I can't it is .. well I think .. I know what I was supposed to read so go over it fast and it looks right. Reading backwards may help for actual typos, I am doing the ones that are still words so spell check doesn't find. Any helpful advice?
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Atlanta Z3
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« Reply #1 on: October 28, 2009, 02:43:03 pm » |
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The reading backwards never worked for me. Slow down, check it three times if necessary. Walk away for five minites or as long as possible. Then come back with a fresh eye and re-read. Ask a co-worker to proof for you, although I know this isn't always possible with confidential work, or availability. Also try making a tick list of certain things that you miss often. I tend to miss mistakes in headers. When I have to transcribe documents, I proof checking off word by word - actually marking each word on the new copy.
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msmarieh
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« Reply #2 on: October 28, 2009, 03:42:08 pm » |
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Also, print it out and read it. I tend to catch more mistakes on paper than I catch on the computer screen.
Are you making the same kinds of mistakes or doing things on the same kinds of documents? Is there a checklist you can create? I did one for expense reports, since I was making stupid mistakes. So now, I have a checklist of the things I tended to miss (like confirm the to and from dates, confirm the amount of the per diem, confirm the city is the hotel and not the airport, etc.).
I also do different readings. First time is for content. Second time is for punctuation/grammar. Third time might be for formatting (does all text match, etc.).
Common things to check are dates - if a day and date are listed do they match?; dollar amounts - if there is any math - double check it; look for common oops - like you trip instead of your trip or there idea instead of their idea.
Good luck!
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Newbie
Posts: 2
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« Reply #3 on: October 28, 2009, 04:27:17 pm » |
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If there are words you consistently misspell consider using the auto correct feature in MS Word. This will set up what amounts to keyboard shortcuts for difficult or technical words.
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gee4
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« Reply #4 on: October 28, 2009, 08:42:20 pm » |
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Mmm never had a problem with this. I'm really picky when it comes to grammar and spelling.
If you are having that many problems, perhaps a colleague needs to check your work.
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maeday
Newbie
Posts: 3
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« Reply #5 on: October 28, 2009, 10:18:55 pm » |
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I had problems, the two things that worked for me was stepping away for even 5 to 10 minutes (longer better) and going to a empty conference room and reading it out loud. You can hear your mistakes, read slow and listen to what you are saying. After a while you can train yourself to read slow and aloud but in your head. It helped me. Good luck, I can relate to this problem.
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peaches2160
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« Reply #7 on: December 06, 2009, 04:33:33 am » |
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I have a tendancy to rush. I find when I save e-Mail correspondence as a draft, then come back in a few minutes and re-read it, I find errors I overlooked. I do the same with Word docs as well. My boss is a very detailed executive and expects me to be the same. I take extra efforts to make sure my correspondence is clear, to the point, and error free. It takes a while to get into the habit of saving and proofing before distribution, but it does save time in the long run, not having to re-call and resend correspondence.
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