Language Arts                                                                                                                                     Name:

Ms. Pearson                                                                                                                                        Per.:

Proofreading Reminders for ALL Writing

1. OUT LOUD: Read the paper out loud to hear what can be corrected.

2. BACKWARDS: Read the paper backwards to find errors in punctuation, grammar, spelling and fragments. Start with the last sentence and look at each individually.

3. Verb tense shift: the piece writing should stay in the same tense throughout. If the writing starts in past tense, all of it should be in past tense.

            I went to school.                  She followed / follow me.

4. Fragments (incomplete thought): check for a subject AND verb, avoid starting a sentence with a conjunction  (but, and)

             Because of the blue car.               But she wanted to go.

5. Run-on (too many thoughts combined): add punctuation to separate sentences (usually a period or semi colon) or subtract words

6. Punctuation: check for periods and commas, use a comma before a conjunction =  , and… , but…

7. Double negatives: two negatives make a positive (Math)

      I didn’t do nothing. (DN)                        I didn’t do anything.

8. Spelling: Check the dictionary. Run spell-check, but do not think it has found all errors.  Read it AGAIN - the computer is NOT smart enough to know/no what word you/ewe wish/witch to use.

9. Verb Choice: choose strong, active verbs – replace “said”, “went” and other dull verbs,                 Sally strolled / sprinted / sauntered (NOT walked)  down the hall.

10. Readability: 12-point font, double spaced…

1. Variety: No two sentences should begin with the same words -  (“I think that…”), avoid repeating the same groups of words or articles (“a”, “an”, “the”) use descriptive modifiers

2. Format: proper heading (full name, date spelled out, Language Arts, period), create an interesting title (noting assignment type) that makes someone want to read it,

3. Paragraphs: separate paragraph for each new idea/subject, indent each paragraph one tab, check for a topic sentence for each body paragraph

4. Pronouns: avoid pronouns without pronoun references, consider if the reader really knows who she/he/it is

5. Agreement: between subject and verb / pronoun and noun.

Single subject with single verb:  Mary is a student

Plural subject with plural verb: They are students.

6. Good manners: Put the other person first - “my friend and I”, not “me and my friend”