When you send your book to the printer, you want the manuscript to be perfect. Nobody expressed the reasons better than Mark Twain when he said, “The difference between the almost- right word and the right word is a really large matter – it’s the difference between the lightning-bug and the lightning.”
Making sure your manuscript is correct is in part a matter of good proofreading. Proofreading can catch and correct errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation and usage. It will make your writing look professional. Here are some guidelines to help you give your manuscript a good proofreading.
- Proofreading comes after content editing. When you content edit you look for the overall clarity and cohesiveness of your book. Is there adequate detail to understand or do you need to add? Is some of what you’ve written repetitive or irrelevant? If so it should be cut out. Would your stories or ideas be more effective if presented in a different order? Then make the necessary changes. Get these substantive changes made before you begin to proofread.
- Give yourself some time between the content editing and your proofreading of the revised manuscript. Bringing fresh eyes to the project allows you to proofread more effectively.
- When you proofread, read slowly and read every word. Some people recommend reading your manuscript aloud.
- Look for one type of error at a time. Decide whether proofread of the manuscript will focus on grammar, punctuation, spelling or word usage. Read for that single focus. Repeat the process for the next type of error.
- Spelling presents a special problem for the proofreader. Many people believe that spelling is best checked by reading backwards – from right to left. That way punctuation, grammar and usage won’t make sense. You can only focus on spelling.
- Double check names, dates, and numbers.
- Make sure to check captions of illustrations and graphics as well as the body text of the manuscript.
- If you’re not sure, look it up. Check a dictionary for spelling. (Never rely on a spell checker.) Use a style guide like Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style, the MLA Guide or the AP Stylebook as a reference for matters of grammar, usage or punctuation.
- Have someone else take a look at your manuscript. But make sure that the person you choose has the skill to help you detect and correct errors in your manuscript. Even professional writers recognize that they need an editor. A second or third set of eyes will often catch things in your manuscript that you missed because you are so close to your work.
