This page may be useful if you have received feedback suggesting that you need to proofread your work more carefully. When you have completed an assignment you may want to submit it as soon as you can. However, spending some time looking over your assignment after taking a break may minimise the risk of making common errors and mistakes.
Check out the video below for further information about proofreading.
Take a look at the sections on this page to explore how to proofread your own work.
Check out our full proofreading guide for more information on proofreading your assignments at university.
Proofreading and editing are often words used together however they are distinct stages in reviewing your work.
Editing - re-reading your work to make sure your writing is clear and concise. This means checking your assignment overall to ensure your argument is clear; taking a narrower approach and reading each paragraph individually; and ensuring the structure of each sentences allows your point to be made clearly. It is reading your work to ensure that it makes sense to your reader.
Proofreading - ensuring that your work adheres to expected academic standards and is formatted appropriately for the assignment type. This stage focuses on your spelling, punctuation and grammar rather than the content of the assignment.
1. Time management - make sure to leave plenty of time to review your work before submission.
2. Read each draft multiple times, each time looking for specific issues.
3. Read your work aloud, or use the 'read aloud' function on Word. You may wish to read the full thing for clarity and then focus on specific sections.
4. Annotate your work - either print off your work and make notes or use highlighting and comments on screen.
5. Use Cite Them Right Online to check your in text citations and reference list.
6. Look at your assignment brief to check you have fully addressed the assessment criteria.
7. Refer back to previous assignment feedback to look for areas of improvement.
8. Check specific formatting requirements in your module guide.
9. Check for language and wording choice.
10. Use a checklist to ensure you have covered everything.
The link below will take you to a suggested checklist that you may wish to use.
When proofreading you may notice errors and mistakes like typing errors. inconsistent capitalisation, fonts, formatting and missing subheadings. It may also be useful to consider the referencing style used on your programme, checking that your referencing follows the style used on your programme according to Cite Them Right Online.
Consider your spelling, punctuation, grammar and choice of words when proofreading. In some cases the choice of punctuation can change the meaning of your point so be aware of this. It may be useful to listen to assignments being read aloud to highlight any errors. This could be done by a screen reader or you could record yourself, slowly reading the text aloud.
The university does not offer a proofreading service. The library skills team can provide advice on how to proofread your own work and can look at a short section of your work, making reference to your skills development rather than proofreading.
When proofreading it may be useful to consider the format of the assignment. Double check the assignment brief and other input from your lecturer to ensure that you have met the assignment brief and any formatting requirements such as font, spacing and headings.
Consider the language you have chosen when proofreading. Do your points follow on from each other? Have you included any colloquialisms or repeated particular words? It may be useful to ensure that you have paraphrased sources accurately and concisely and to double check your references to literature too.
When considering language it might be useful to check that you have spelled out any acronyms or abbreviations on their first use in an assignment so that it is clear and can be understood. It may also be useful to consider if you have overused any words or if you have used capitals appropriately.