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The following is a summary of a 1991 discussion in
Usenet group misc.writing
(which has since gone pretty much downhill). Participants
were: Kurt F. Sauer, Lisa Leutheuser, Mark Peters, and
Chuq Von Rospach.
What makes proofreading successful?
- understanding of basic grammar and spelling
- avoiding computer-enhanced carelessness
(especially regarding spellcheckers)
- overcoming fear of scrutiny
- allowing extra sets of eyes to review
- examining what you said, not
what you meant
- allowing enough time for multiple passes through
the document
- checking every word
What are the optimal conditions for
proofreading?
- a waiting period before the review (at least
sleep on it)
- fresh, energetic
- unhurried
- no distractions (this doesn't necessarily mean
"no noise," or "no music")
- w/pen (especially with ink a different color from
what's on the paper, though still visible on the
paper -- many people use green and/or red)
- uncommitted to any particular text; willing to
change
- aware of "infinite rewrite syndrome"
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