Surely it don’t matter if you don’t write proper, cuz at the end of the day its only important that ppl understand wot your saying, right?
There are people who argue that correct grammar, spelling and punctuation are all becoming less important in the 21st century. Some say that teaching grammar is “elitist”. Many schools now don’t teach the English language in any formal context at all. In addition, the rise of text speak is encouraging the younger generations to become lazy with language. Am I right about that? WDYT? LMK!
The reality is that, for now at least, the way we write (and what we write) is of huge importance. As human beings, we will judge a person based on what we know about them; in many cases, the written word is the only window. Recruiters, for example, look at CVs. Job applications littered with errors are likely to be tossed to one side; anybody who is not able to spell or use correct punctuation is unlikely to get that office role. As well as demonstrating lack of understanding, it screams poor attention to detail and carelessness. Writers will be considered less credible if their work is not accurate, and companies need to be very careful to ensure their message looks professional. There is huge competition in most industries, so why jeopardise your chances of winning that contract with a poorly written website?
The Evolution of Language
Language is constantly evolving, with new words being introduced and old ones falling away into the history books. This is a great thing; the richness of our language, its heritage, international influences and modern expressions are all to be celebrated. In fact, they’re totes amazeballs (Emily, NOBODY says that anymore!). But will people, one day, not notice when your is used in place of you’re? Will the day ever come when the two simply become interchangeable? Or will it just not be considered important, in the grand scheme of things? Maybe. But, for now, I will celebrate each little proofreading victory with a mini fist pump, and be glad to offer a service which ensures that professionalism shines through.
Tips for proofreading your own work
Not everyone has the financial resources or the desire to hire a proofreader, so below are what I consider the most important tips for checking your own work.
1. Take a break before you start
Don’t try to proofread without taking a step away from what you’ve written first. No matter how careful and diligent you think you are, even under ideal circumstances you are more likely to miss errors in your own work than you are in that of others. Your brain will see what it expects to see, based on what you believe you have written, and this leaves you at an immediate disadvantage. So, proofreading while tired is not a good idea. Even if you feel fine, go out for lunch, have a workout or sleep on it; in other words, take a proper break and come back to it when you are revitalised and able to concentrate.
2. Be methodical
A methodical approach is key to proofreading. The process can’t be hurried as every word, every punctuation mark and every sentence requires scrutiny. It is all too easy to skip over words, particularly the small ones, and this is when errors go undetected. With this in mind, proofread slowly and multiple times. Check for spelling first, then punctuation, then formatting etc.
3. Read aloud
It may sound silly, but reading text aloud can highlight ambiguities and problems with sentence structure or readability that silent reading may not. If you can record yourself, this is even better. You can then play it back to find out if what you’ve written comes across in the way you intended. If you have someone who is happy to read it aloud to you, that’s great too.
4. Work in the best environment
Make sure your surroundings are right. Keep the heating down, as a stuffy environment will make you drowsy. Also, make sure you have adequate lighting so your eyes are not placed under undue pressure.
5. Make a list
Don’t rely on your memory; it could let you down, and you could forget to look up that important spelling. Instead, make a list of things you are not sure of or need to check.
6. Take your time
Don’t be tempted to rush towards the end. If you feel yourself getting bored, frustrated or fed up, stop. Missing errors while on the home run because you have lost motivation will mean that all your previous efforts will have gone to waste.
You may find different suggestions from other proofreaders, and the reality is there are many tools and techniques out there; what works for one person, professional or otherwise, may not work for another. But ensuring you take your time, have the right attitude and double-check everything will stand you in good stead to proofread your own work.
Of course, I will always encourage that you work with a professional proofreader. This is one of the solutions I offer, so to discuss how I can help book a free consultation today.