Proofreaders Checklist 1. Have I followed the requirements? 2. Have I checked organization? 3. Have I considered audience issues? 4. Have I edited for style? 5. Have I proofread for grammar? 5 Starting Questions

Have I followed the requirements? Understood the Assignment? Understood the Assignment? -When in doubt, double check! Stayed on topic? Stayed on topic? -Ask: Is this information really necessary? Followed format? Followed format? - Styles: MLA, APA, Chicago Style, Other. Length, font, margins? Length, font, margins? -Standard: 12-point font and 1-inch margins.

Have I checked organization? Introduction, body, and conclusion? Introduction, body, and conclusion? Clear thesis statement in introduction? Clear thesis statement in introduction?or Forecasting statement/device? Forecasting statement/device? Body follows the thesis in correct order? Body follows the thesis in correct order?

Transitions between & in paragraphs? Transitions between & in paragraphs? Clear topic sentences for paragraphs? Clear topic sentences for paragraphs? -topic sentences should: transition from previous -topic sentences should: transition from previous paragraph, link with thesis, and state topic/claim paragraph, link with thesis, and state topic/claim Conclusion summarizes main points? Conclusion summarizes main points? -strong conclusions keep summary brief and explore -strong conclusions keep summary brief and explore implications/significance of the topic implications/significance of the topic Conclusion omits new information? Conclusion omits new information? Organization Continued

Have I considered audience issues? Included background information? Included background information? -what does my audience need to know from the outset? Diction appropriate for audience? Diction appropriate for audience? -think about informality/formality level. -are contractions acceptable? -okay to use I, we, us, & you? Avoided I think and I believe? Avoided I think and I believe? -audience assumes its your opinion!

Have I edited for style? 1.Vary sentence length/type. 2. Vary beginnings of sentences. (not just subject then verb!) 3.Vary word choices. 4.Avoid overusing to be verbs. 5.In general, avoid passive voice. 6.Avoid overusing There and It. 6 TIPS!

Vary sentence length/type Simple Sentences Simple Sentences 1 independent clause: He played football at Ohio State. Compound Sentences Compound Sentences 2+ independent clauses: -He played football, but she chose soccer. -He played football, but she chose soccer. Complex Sentences Complex Sentences D ependent clause (s) + 1 independent clause: -As the stats show, OSU is awesome. -As the stats show, OSU is awesome. Compound-complex Sentences Compound-complex Sentences 2+ independent clauses + dependent clause (s) -You enjoy sports and we do too, because we are OSU. -You enjoy sports and we do too, because we are OSU.

Vary beginnings of sentences BEGIN WITH.... Transitional Words Transitional Words -words like however, actually, etc. Prepositional Phrases Prepositional Phrases -preposition + object -example: In the morning, Dependent Clauses Dependent Clauses -subordinate conjunction + subject + predicate -example: Because Jackson enjoyed jogging,

Vary word choices (and be concise) Example 1 Interestingly enough, my family and I took a long and very i nteresting vacation where we met an interesting person who talked to us for a very long time about squids. Example 2 During our vacation, my family and I met a vociferous woman who described squid cuisine.

Avoid Using To Be Verbs To Be Verbs o am o is o are o was o were Example: Then we were there. vs. vs. Example: Then we arrived.

Active vs. Passive Voice Active Voice -The subject is doing the action. -Emphasis rests on the doer. -subject + verb + direct object - example: Judy plays chess. Passive Voice -The action is being done. -Emphasis rests on the action. -direct object + be + verb with –ed + by + subject -example: Chess is played by Judy.

There and it are usually -followed by a to be verb and -followed by a to be verb and -they delay the subject. -they delay the subject. Instead of: There are few rabbits that fly. Instead of: There are few rabbits that fly. Try: Few rabbits fly. Try: Few rabbits fly. There and It

Have I proofread for grammar? 1. Missing Commas 2. Fragments 3. Run-On Sentences 4. Parallelism 5. Subject-Verb Agreement 6. Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement 7. Which vs. That

Commonly Absent COMMAS To join 2 complete sentences -use a comma + coordinating conjunction -The Big 7=and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet -The sun shines brightly, and the horses frolic. After introductory elements -words like However, Actually, etc. -phrases like At the time, In short, etc. -dependent clauses like After he drank a coke, To set off nonessential elements -When he arrived, however, he…. -The cat, a large Persian one, blinked….

Fragments Fragment: anything punctuated as sentence that isnt Most common fragment type: subordinate clause punctuated as complete sentence Subordinate clause: subordinating conjunction + subject + predicate Subordinating conjunctions: because, when, etc. Subordinate clause examples: incorrect: Because I said so. correct: Because I said so, they believed it.

Run-On Sentences Dont just put a comma b/tw 2 sentences! Two Types of Run-ons -The mice like cheese, they scurry. -The mice like cheese they scurry. Instead: The mice like cheese, and they scurry. When joining 2 complete sentences, use a comma + coordinating conjunction.

Parallelism Be consistent & strive for uniformity! Examples incorrect: James wants to hike and skiing. correct: James wants to hike and ski. incorrect: Jill enjoys running, socializing, and to read. correct : Jill enjoys running, socializing, and reading.

Subject-Verb Agreement Ground Rules -A singular subject takes a singular verb. example: Josh misses the sunshine. -A plural subject takes a plural verb. example: Strangely enough, some people prefer snow. Useful Tips -Notice that the singular subject usually goes with a verb that has an s on the end. -The plural subject usually goes with a verb that doesnt have an s on the end.

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement Ground Rules -Nouns must agree with pronouns in number. example: If people eat lead paint, they get sick. not : When a person eats lead paint, they get sick. -Remember, singular noun needs a singular pronoun, and a plural noun needs a plural pronoun.

Which vs. That Ground Rules -Use which before information that could be omitted without loss of clarity. example : Hotdogs, which many people enjoy, are not a very healthy snack. Keep in mind that which-clauses usually require a comma/commas. -Use that before information that is essential to clarity. example: Many of the snacks that people enjoy are not very healthy.