Proofreading

CONTENTS

What is proofreading

Common errors

Proofreading bingo and feedback

WHAT IS PROOFREADING?

WHAT IS PROOFREADING?

It’s NOT editing

• Editing is about improving the argument, evidence, conciseness and readability of your text.

• You have to finish editing before proofreading.

It’s NOT reading

If you read normally, you’ll focus on the ideas and won’t notice errors in the words and punctuation.

Proofreading means looking directly for COMMON ERRORS of punctuation, grammar, vocabulary and spelling.

It means you need to choose a type of error and just look for that; then choose another type of error and start again.

COMMON ERRORS

PUNCTUATION

Sentence Fragments

According to utilitarianism, actions are moral if they are aimed at producing the greatest happiness for the greatest number. Meaning that the focus is on consequences and not the nature of actions in themselves (Smith, 2010).

Run-on sentences

Utilitarianism is a pragmatic theory which focuses on observable behaviour and subjective judgements, rather than abstract moral rules, however it has been criticised for depending on the vague and subjective term ‘happiness’, this is not something that is measurable like the output of an industrial or scientific process (Brown, 2006).

GRAMMAR‘the’

Ministry of Finance announced that cost of the living has fallen for fourth consecutive month.

This is the most common grammar mistake because it’s by far the most common word – and can be tricky to use!

When you’ve mentioned something previously:At the meeting a student spoke about problems in finding housing. The student emphasised…

When the meaning of a word is limited by specific information:

Example 1: The meaning is limited by another noun which comes before (and acts like as an adjective):The article commented on the New Zealand economy.

Example 2: The meaning is limited by a prepositional phrase which comes after:The books on the third shelf…

Example 3: The meaning is limited by a relative clause which comes after:The inquiry that began in 2015 …

You need to use THE on average about once every 13 words.

That’s about 150 times in a 2000 word essay!

Common uses include:

Missing endings

Both study use a semi-structure interview method, but Brown also use focus group and collect data from observation.

Non-agreement of subjects and verbsThe cost of residential houses have increased by 40% in the last two years. This dramatic rise in prices have forced many young people into the rental market.

Wrong form or choice of words

The authors analysis data from 100 scientific researches and conclusive demonstrated that live near mobile phone masts is safety.

SPELLING

It should be possible to check spelling errors using Word.

But you should disable ‘autocorrect’ because this can lead to bizarre words because maybe you just pressed the wrong key by mistake.

Also, make sure that you set your language to ‘New Zealand English’ (ideally with the Maori language add-on).

Do not rely too much on the Microsoft grammar check; it misses some important grammar mistakes and tells you to change things that are already correct (for example, it ‘doesn’t like’ the use of passive forms).

PROOFREADING BINGO

RULES

You’ll see a short text with some errors.

At the top of the screen, you’ll see a type of error (for example, ‘the’).

You’ll see a short text with examples of that type of error.

Count the number of errors of that type in the text.

Then, if that number is also in your bingo square, cross it out.

If you have crossed out ALL your numbers, shout ‘FULL HOUSE’.

Write that number next to the letter for the text on your card.

Hurricanes also known as cyclones or typhoons, exert tremendous power, these storms are often a hundred kilometres in diameter and their winds can reach velocities well in excess of 120 kph (Snowdon, 2006). With such wind velocities; typically accompanied by heavy rain, hurricanes have the potential to completely destroy a small town in a matter of hours. (Jameson, 1987)

EXAMPLE: PUNCTUATION

Hurricanes, also known as cyclones or typhoons, exert tremendous power. These storms are often a hundred kilometres in diameter and their winds can reach velocities well in excess of 120 kph (Snowdon, 2006). With such wind velocities, typically accompanied by heavy rain, hurricanes have the potential to completely destroy a small town in a matter of hours (Jameson, 1987).

FEEDBACK: PUNCTUATION

4 mistakes – so you would cross out the number 4 on your card.

There are several key reasons why international students choose to study at universities in New Zealand, clearly, the fact that English is spoken here is a major attraction for students looking at developing their mastery of this international language, from an economic point of view, the relatively modest fees and affordable accommodation make New Zealand competitive in an increasingly global education market; although the strong Kiwi dollar has reduced this advantage, compared with the United States and Europe.

BINGO A: PUNCTUATION

BINGO B: PUNCTUATION

Historically womens participation in sport has been much lower than mens, fifty years ago, less than one young woman in twenty participated in sport. (Streep, 2001) Although there is still a gap it has become much closer. With about half of young women now taking part (Britney, 2011; Spears, 2012). This increase can be explained; not only by changes in social attitudes: but also as a result of the efforts of schools and sporting associations

New Zealand also has a simpler and more open bureaucracy and, once here, student can be assured of a safe and pleasant environment in what continue to be, by and large, a tolerant culture. It is the combination of these social, economic and cultural factor, rather than a single driving force, which explain the sustained growth in international student number over the last decade.

BINGO C: WORD ENDINGS

BINGO D: WORD ENDINGS

Historically, women’s participation in sport has been much lower than men’s. Fifty year ago, less than one young woman in twenty participate in sport (Streep, 2001). Although there is still a gap, it has become much closer, with about half of young women now taking part (Britney, 2011; Spears, 2012). This increase can be explained not only by changes in social attitudes, but also as a result of the efforts of school and sporting association.

BINGO E : WORD ENDINGS

There are several key reason why international student choose to study at universities in New Zealand. Clearly, the fact that English is spoken here is a major attraction for student looking at develop their mastery of this international language, at the same time as obtain an internationally-recognised qualification. From an economy point of view, the relatively low fees and affordable accommodation make New Zealand competitive in an increasingly global education market.

BINGO F: THE

Historically, the New Zealand women’s participation in the sport of any kind has been much lower than the men’s. Fifty years ago, less than one young woman in twenty participated in the sport (Streep, 2001). Although there is still a gap, it has become much closer, with about the half of the young women now taking the part (Britney, 2011; Spears, 2012). This increase can be explained not only by changes in social attitudes in the New Zealand, but as a result of the efforts of schools and sporting associations across country.

BINGO G : THE

There are several key reasons why the international students choose to study at the universities in New Zealand. Clearly, fact that English is spoken here is a major attraction for the students looking at developing their mastery of this international language at same time as obtaining an internationally-recognised qualification.

BINGO H : SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT

There is several key reasons why international students chooses to study at universities in New Zealand. Clearly, the fact that English is spoken here are a major attraction for students looking at developing their mastery of this international language at the same time as obtaining an internationally-recognised qualification.

BINGO I : WORD FORM

There are several key reasons why international students choice to study at universities in New Zealand. Clearly, the fact that English is spoken here is a major attractive for students looking at development their mastery of this international language at the same time as obtaining an internationally-recognised qualification. From an economy point of view, the relative low fees and affordable accommodation make New Zealand competition in an increasingly global education market.

BINGO J: WORD FORM

Historically, women’s participate in sport has been much lower than men’s. Fifty years ago, less than one young woman in twenty participation in sport (Streep, 2001). Although there is still a gap, it has become much closer, with about half of young women now took part (Britney, 2011; Spears, 2012).

PROOFREADING BINGO FEEDBACK

There are several key reasons why international students choose to study at universities in New Zealand, clearly, the fact that English is spoken here is a major attraction for students looking at developing their mastery of this international language, from an economic point of view, the relatively modest level of fees and affordable accommodation make New Zealand competitive in an increasingly global education market; although the strong Kiwi dollar has reduced this advantage, compared with the United States and Europe.

BINGO A: PUNCTUATION

BINGO B: PUNCTUATION

Historically womens participation in sport has been much lower than mens, fifty years ago, less than one young woman in twenty participated in sport. (Streep, 2001) Although there is still a gap it has become much closer. With about half of young women now taking part (Britney, 2011; Spears, 2012). This increase can be explained; not only by changes in social attitudes: but also as a result of the efforts of schools and sporting associations

New Zealand also has a simpler and more open bureaucracy and, once here, student can be assured of a safe and pleasant environment in what continue to be, by and large, a tolerant culture. It is the combination of these social, economic and cultural factor, rather than a single driving force, which explain the sustained growth in international student number over the last decade.

BINGO C: WORD ENDINGS

BINGO D: WORD ENDINGS

Historically, women’s participation in sport has been much lower than men’s. Fifty year ago, less than one young woman in twenty participate in sport (Streep, 2001). Although there is still a gap, it has become much closer, with about half of young women now taking part (Britney, 2011; Spears, 2012). This increase can be explained not only by changes in social attitudes, but also as the result of efforts of school and sporting association.

BINGO E : WORD ENDINGS

There are several key reason why international student choose to study at universities in New Zealand. Clearly, the fact that English is spoken here is a major attraction for student looking at develop their mastery of this international language, at the same time as obtain an internationally-recognised qualification. From an economy point of view, the relatively low fees and affordable accommodation make New Zealand competitive in an increasingly global education market.

BINGO F: THE

Historically, the New Zealand women’s participation in the sport of any kind has been much lower than the men’s. Fifty years ago, less than one young woman in twenty participated in the sport (Streep, 2001). Although there is still a gap, it has become much closer, with about the half of the young women now taking the part (Britney, 2011; Spears, 2012). This increase can be explained not only by changes in social attitudes in the New Zealand, but also as a result of the efforts of schools and sporting associations across country.

BINGO G : THE

There are several key reasons why the international students choose to study at the universities in New Zealand. Clearly, fact that English is spoken here is a major attraction for the students looking at developing their mastery of this international language at same time as obtaining an internationally-recognised qualification.

BINGO H : SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT

There is several key reasons why international students chooses to study at universities in New Zealand. Clearly, the fact that English is spoken here are a major attraction for students looking at developing their mastery of this international language at the same time as obtaining an internationally-recognised qualification.

BINGO I : WORD FORM

There are several key reasons why international students choice to study at universities in New Zealand. Clearly, the fact that English is spoken here is a major attractive for students looking at development their mastery of this international language at the same time as obtaining an internationally-recognised qualification. From an economy point of view, the relative low fees and affordable accommodation make New Zealand competition in an increasingly global education market.

BINGO J: WORD FORM

Historically, women’s participate in sport has been much lower than men’s. Fifty years ago, less than one young woman in twenty participation in sport (Streep, 2001). Although there is still a gap, it has become much closer, with about half of young women now took part (Britney, 2011; Spears, 2012).

In this session you have learnt how to:

• Identify common types of error• Proofread texts for one type of error at a time

SUMMARY

• For more advice and resources, look under ‘Academic Support’ on Stream

• Visit us in the Centre for Teaching and Learning on Level 3 of the library.