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PROOFREADINGPROOFREADING
Accuracy is a Accuracy is a fundamental skill fundamental skill required both at required both at university and in the university and in the workplace.workplace.
Why is accuracy Why is accuracy important?important?
At Uni…At Uni…
‘‘Accuracy is crucial to the Accuracy is crucial to the conveyance of conveyance of Meaning’ (Lloyd Meaning’ (Lloyd Pettiford). Pettiford).
Tutor comment: ‘Tutor comment: ‘At times I At times I struggled to understand the struggled to understand the intended meaning of some intended meaning of some paragraphs. This was due to paragraphs. This was due to incorrect spelling, grammar and incorrect spelling, grammar and punctuation’.punctuation’. (Social Theory essay) (Social Theory essay)
In the workplace….In the workplace….
‘‘The printed word is often the The printed word is often the first, and sometimes the only, first, and sometimes the only, communication a potential communication a potential customer receives. It should customer receives. It should reflect professionalism in all reflect professionalism in all its aspects, but sadly this is its aspects, but sadly this is often not the case’. often not the case’.
(Geoff Barnett, n.d.).(Geoff Barnett, n.d.).
At Uni…At Uni…
Mistakes Mistakes jupm jupm outout at tutors. at tutors.
It’s easy to make It’s easy to make mistakes…mistakes…
‘‘while tutor’s usually make allowances while tutor’s usually make allowances for slips here and there, if you want for slips here and there, if you want your writing to have its full impact you your writing to have its full impact you really cannot afford to omit to read really cannot afford to omit to read your work carefully’your work carefully’ Northedge (1990, Northedge (1990, 129). 129).
So. Accuracy has nothing to do with So. Accuracy has nothing to do with intelligence…intelligence…
What can you do?What can you do?1.1. Attend Academic Support lecturesAttend Academic Support lectures..2.2. Research the rules of grammar, sentence Research the rules of grammar, sentence
structure,structure, punctuation and spelling and punctuation and spelling and PRACTISE, PRACTISE, PRACTISE!PRACTISE, PRACTISE, PRACTISE!
3.3. Find out what to look out for and proofread Find out what to look out for and proofread your work thoroughly. your work thoroughly. USE A USE A CHECKLIST.CHECKLIST.
4.4. Start a proofreading club?Start a proofreading club?
5.5. Suggest a session? Contact me via form on Suggest a session? Contact me via form on website (read your emails). Drop into my website (read your emails). Drop into my
office: GEO85. office: GEO85. NB I DO NOT NB I DO NOT PROOFREAD WORK! PROOFREAD WORK!
ChecklistChecklist
http://www.open.ac.uk/study-strathttp://www.open.ac.uk/study-strategies/english/pages/assess_1.aspegies/english/pages/assess_1.asp
What should I look out What should I look out for?for?
You need to proofread You need to proofread for:for:
THE BIG 3:THE BIG 3: PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE; PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE;
SENTENCE STRUCTURE; SENTENCE STRUCTURE; REFERENCING REFERENCING
Paragraph StructureParagraph Structure
Task:Task:
Bearing in mind the last few Bearing in mind the last few Academic Support lectures, what Academic Support lectures, what questions might you have on your questions might you have on your checklist?checklist?
Sentence StructureSentence Structure
Task: What might you look out for Task: What might you look out for when checking your sentences? when checking your sentences? To decide this, ask – what is the To decide this, ask – what is the function of a sentence?function of a sentence?
Sentence StructureSentence Structure
A sentence contains 1 main idea.A sentence contains 1 main idea.
Go ‘idea spotting’.Go ‘idea spotting’.
Avoid running ideas together in the Avoid running ideas together in the same sentence.same sentence.
Look out for long sentences & perhaps Look out for long sentences & perhaps break them up.break them up.
Easier said than Easier said than done…done… David was not able to attend David was not able to attend
school yesterday seeing as how school yesterday seeing as how the problem he is having with the problem he is having with headaches has come back again.headaches has come back again.
(Peck and Coyle 1999, 52)(Peck and Coyle 1999, 52)
How about?How about?
David was not able to attend David was not able to attend school yesterday. He has been school yesterday. He has been having a problem with having a problem with headaches, and it has come back headaches, and it has come back again.again.
Sentence StructureSentence Structure Gray (1999, 39) argues that liberalism is internally Gray (1999, 39) argues that liberalism is internally
inconsistent, Smith however disagrees with the idea that inconsistent, Smith however disagrees with the idea that liberalism cannot achieve its ideals. liberalism cannot achieve its ideals.
The growth of international institutions does not mean that The growth of international institutions does not mean that liberalism has won, the example of the UN shows that states liberalism has won, the example of the UN shows that states do use international institutions to their own advantage. . do use international institutions to their own advantage. .
International laws can be seen as rules International laws can be seen as rules of of behaviour rather behaviour rather than rules than rules for for behaviour, this point is important because behaviour, this point is important because states tend to set rules based on their values. states tend to set rules based on their values.
Although from a realist point of view it could be argued that Although from a realist point of view it could be argued that it was more to do with each state protecting its own interests. it was more to do with each state protecting its own interests.
What would you change What would you change here?here?
The family values that I have been The family values that I have been brought up by, is to care for everyone brought up by, is to care for everyone and for everyone to be treated equally.and for everyone to be treated equally.
So, is Sex and Gender so different?So, is Sex and Gender so different?
State and national security is seen as a State and national security is seen as a highly important factor in…highly important factor in…
Verbs Verbs has to agree with their subject….has to agree with their subject….
BEWARE THE USE OF ‘OF’ FOR ‘HAVE’ IN BEWARE THE USE OF ‘OF’ FOR ‘HAVE’ IN VERB TENSESVERB TENSES
Didn’t you know? I should Didn’t you know? I should ofof told you! told you!
By the end of the month, my health By the end of the month, my health will will ofof improved as I am eating very improved as I am eating very healthily.healthily.
I should I should ofof known I’d see you in the known I’d see you in the pub!pub!
ReferentsReferents
When using words like: this, these When using words like: this, these that, those and pronouns (eg: I, that, those and pronouns (eg: I,
you, s/he, it, we, you they; his, her, you, s/he, it, we, you they; his, her, its, their) its, their)
STOP! STOP!
PROOFREADING IS PROOFREADING IS REQUIRED!!!!REQUIRED!!!!
Spot and analyse the Spot and analyse the referents…referents…
‘‘Liberalism was born after WW1.Liberalism was born after WW1.It was called the war to end allIt was called the war to end all wars and no one wanted to be wars and no one wanted to be involved in another war. They involved in another war. They decided that a mutualdecided that a mutualagreement between alliesagreement between alliescould prevent another war.’could prevent another war.’
Combating Spelling Combating Spelling ErrorsErrors Use a computer ‘spellcheck’ wiselyUse a computer ‘spellcheck’ wisely Keep a special list of key Keep a special list of key
subject/specific technical terms subject/specific technical terms Beware of problematic words – those Beware of problematic words – those
ending ‘ent’ or ‘ence’/ similar sounding ending ‘ent’ or ‘ence’/ similar sounding ones ones
Make a note of your Make a note of your ownown typical errors typical errors and use a dictionary as you write themand use a dictionary as you write them
Start a proofreading clubStart a proofreading club
SpellingSpelling
Major errors (subject specific ones)Major errors (subject specific ones) According to Gramshi’s theory of According to Gramshi’s theory of
hegemony hegemony These authors include Maciavelle and These authors include Maciavelle and
Hobbs.Hobbs. In the coup against Salvedor AllendeIn the coup against Salvedor Allende Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome,
more commonly referred to as AIDs, (…)more commonly referred to as AIDs, (…) For Elizabeth, Sir Walter Ralegh For Elizabeth, Sir Walter Ralegh
represented a Romantic ideal.represented a Romantic ideal.
Should be:Should be:
According to According to Gramsci’sGramsci’s theory of theory of hegemonyhegemony……
Machiavelli and HobbesMachiavelli and Hobbes Salvador AllendeSalvador Allende AIDSAIDS Sir Walter RaleighSir Walter Raleigh
Common errors:Common errors:
Words ending in ‘ance/ ant, ate’Words ending in ‘ance/ ant, ate’
Relevent/ Relevant? Relevent/ Relevant? Seperate/ Separate?Seperate/ Separate?
Developement/ Development? Developement/ Development? Grammer/grammar??Grammer/grammar??
AnswersAnswers
RelevAnt RelevAnt
SepArate SepArate
DevelopmentDevelopment
GrammArGrammAr
Poor spelling causes Poor spelling causes problems with problems with meaningmeaning
‘‘He flounted his degree’.He flounted his degree’.
Does this mean that s/he flaunted it Does this mean that s/he flaunted it (showed(showed
it off)? Or that s/he flouted it it off)? Or that s/he flouted it (treated it with(treated it with
contempt)?contempt)?
Advice on improving spellingAdvice on improving spelling http://dissc.tees.ac.uk/Mistakes/Spelling/Spell6.hthttp://dissc.tees.ac.uk/Mistakes/Spelling/Spell6.htmm
Learn the word. Look at it until you know it. Learn the word. Look at it until you know it. Say it slowly to yourself.Say it slowly to yourself.Without looking at it, write it out (by hand).Without looking at it, write it out (by hand).Check that you got it right.Check that you got it right.Then write it out several times. Then write it out several times.
Write it in different ways - write it Write it in different ways - write it BIGBIG, , then then smallsmall, write it in , write it in different coloursdifferent colours, in , in CAPITALS as well as in small letters.CAPITALS as well as in small letters.Finally, check that you've got it right.Finally, check that you've got it right.
Watch out for similar words Watch out for similar words such as:such as:
‘‘THEY DON’T KNOW THEIR THERE THEY DON’T KNOW THEIR THERE FROM THEIR THEY’RE’ FROM THEIR THEY’RE’ The The Guardian, Guardian, Sat, March 1, 2002, 7Sat, March 1, 2002, 7They’re = they are. ‘They’re They’re = they are. ‘They’re good at sport’good at sport’THEIR = THEIR = POSSESSIONPOSSESSIONTheir bag/ their theory/ their Their bag/ their theory/ their books / their friends / their books / their friends / their house = not mine!house = not mine!
Their or there? Other Their or there? Other Errors?Errors? People can now change there/their sex. There/their have been much heated have been much heated
discussions raised from Hamletdiscussions raised from Hamlet.. (…) these two central assumptions (…) these two central assumptions
provide realists with support for provide realists with support for there/their argument about the need for states to behave selfishly.
During early nineteenth century During early nineteenth century there/theirthere/their was very few women thriller was very few women thriller writers…writers…
Word ChoiceWord Choice
Liberalists believe that… Liberalists believe that… This theory of social This theory of social
learning fell into distribute.learning fell into distribute. The Tsunami has had a The Tsunami has had a
massive affect on Asian massive affect on Asian economies.economies.
Word Choice – More Word Choice – More ImportantlyImportantly
Why do you write???Why do you write???
Do you understand what Do you understand what the authors are saying?the authors are saying?
From an essay on Romanticism:From an essay on Romanticism:– ‘‘This new beginning started as a theory to the This new beginning started as a theory to the
extremes of change in which new ways of extremes of change in which new ways of living were reflected in new ways of thinking’.living were reflected in new ways of thinking’.
‘‘The Dispositio of the speech make’s it The Dispositio of the speech make’s it very effective on the audience. Queen very effective on the audience. Queen Elisabeth skilfully starts and ends the Elisabeth skilfully starts and ends the speech with digresso this eases the speech with digresso this eases the situation she’s in and enables her to situation she’s in and enables her to deport from the theme of the monopolies’.deport from the theme of the monopolies’.
So…So… Remember that you write to be Remember that you write to be
heardheard You write to communicateYou write to communicate You don’t ‘sound academic’ with You don’t ‘sound academic’ with
lots of posy words/phraseslots of posy words/phrases Explain words/phrases which are Explain words/phrases which are
‘out of the ordinary’/ambiguous‘out of the ordinary’/ambiguous
ApostrophesApostrophes Signal that words are missed Signal that words are missed
out – I don’t = I do not. BUT:out – I don’t = I do not. BUT:In general, don’t In general, don’t abbreviate in academic abbreviate in academic work!work!
I.e. = that isI.e. = that is Can’t cook, won’t cook = Can’t cook, won’t cook =
cannot cook, will not cookcannot cook, will not cook
APOSTROPHES: TASK
•Can you explain when else an apostrophe should be used?
• Analyse the following sentences anddraw up a list of rules which details when and when not to use the apostrophe. All sentences are correct.
•Give examples to support your decision.
•The blue car's lights were left on so its battery went flat.
•Kant's works were written in the 1700s.
•Lisa’s office is E014.
•The children’s toys were scattered all over the floor.
•Since the 1960s people’s interest in the environment has grown.
• Oranges and lemons said the bells of St. Clement’s.
•Did you watch “Jamie’s Kitchen”? ‘Yes, but I prefer “Hell’s Kitchen”’.
What is the difference?What is the difference?
The student’s essays haveThe student’s essays have
been marked.been marked.
The students’ essays haveThe students’ essays have
been marked.been marked.
Correct or not?Correct or not? The teachers son is called The teachers son is called
Adam. Adam.
Weber’s argument is not Weber’s argument is not convincing here.convincing here.
Postmodern feminist thinkers argue Postmodern feminist thinkers argue that there is no authentic womens that there is no authentic womens experience.experience.
Insert the Apostrophe Insert the Apostrophe where necessarywhere necessary
Womens needs have been Womens needs have been regarded as less important than regarded as less important than mens.mens.
In one crucial respect, Habermas In one crucial respect, Habermas work represents a major work represents a major departure from Marxist analysis.departure from Marxist analysis.
APOSTROPHES (ET AL…)APOSTROPHES (ET AL…)
Charles Dickens novel Hard Time Charles Dickens novel Hard Time highlights a number of issues highlights a number of issues including utilitariansim and including utilitariansim and industrialisation.industrialisation.
Traditionally the assumption of the Traditionally the assumption of the sexes portrayed that women were sexes portrayed that women were confined to the home whist men were confined to the home whist men were the breadwinner’s.the breadwinner’s.
Reminder: USE A Reminder: USE A CHECKLISTCHECKLIST Use professional checklists (See Use professional checklists (See
Crème and Lea 1997, 119)Crème and Lea 1997, 119) Analyse tutor comments on your workAnalyse tutor comments on your work Turn these comments into questions Turn these comments into questions
which you can use to check your next which you can use to check your next essay.essay.
Group the questions into sections – eg Group the questions into sections – eg Paragraphing; Style; Referencing.Paragraphing; Style; Referencing.
Further ReadingFurther Reading
Rose, Jean (2001) Rose, Jean (2001) The Mature The Mature Student's Guide to WritingStudent's Guide to Writing, , Basingstoke: PalgraveBasingstoke: Palgrave
[Clifton: 808.06637 ROS ][Clifton: 808.06637 ROS ] Peck, John and Martin Coyle (1999) Peck, John and Martin Coyle (1999)
The Student's Guide to Writing: The Student's Guide to Writing: Grammar, Punctuation and SpellingGrammar, Punctuation and Spelling, , Basingstoke: Palgrave [Clifton: 428 Basingstoke: Palgrave [Clifton: 428 PEC ]PEC ]
URLOGRAPHYURLOGRAPHY http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/
general/gl_proof.html offers proofreading general/gl_proof.html offers proofreading strategies.strategies.
This is a website which discusses the rules This is a website which discusses the rules and conventions of academic writing and and conventions of academic writing and contains a section on accuracy:contains a section on accuracy:
http://www.bim.napier.ac.uk/~hazel/http://www.bim.napier.ac.uk/~hazel/gen_ho/rules_conv.htmgen_ho/rules_conv.htm
Accuracy and proof-reading (Warwick Uni: Accuracy and proof-reading (Warwick Uni: http://www.warwick.ac.uk/EAP/correcting_yhttp://www.warwick.ac.uk/EAP/correcting_your_work/ It includes a test with answers:our_work/ It includes a test with answers:
http://www.warwick.ac.uk/EAP/http://www.warwick.ac.uk/EAP/correcting_your_work/proof-correcting_your_work/proof-reading_exercise_1.htmreading_exercise_1.htm
URLography: URLography: checklistschecklists
Check this out!Check this out! http://webster.commnet.edu/http://webster.commnet.edu/
grammar/composition/grammar/composition/proofing.htmproofing.htm
URLOGRAPHYURLOGRAPHY To practise your apostrophes: To practise your apostrophes:
http://dissc.tees.ac.uk/Mistakes/apostrhttp://dissc.tees.ac.uk/Mistakes/apostrophes/intro.htmlophes/intro.html
These 2 sites are full of quizzes, These 2 sites are full of quizzes, exercises and tests on all aspects of exercises and tests on all aspects of writing and proofreading:writing and proofreading:
http://webster.commnet.edu/http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/quiz_list.htm#marksgrammar/quiz_list.htm#marks
http://a4esl.org/q/h/grammar.htmlhttp://a4esl.org/q/h/grammar.html http://www.uefap.co.uk/accuracy/http://www.uefap.co.uk/accuracy/
check.htmcheck.htm http://www.uefap.co.uk/accuracy/http://www.uefap.co.uk/accuracy/
pruffram.htmpruffram.htm
URLographyURLography
Barnett, GeoffBarnett, Geoff Healthcare Editing ServicesHealthcare Editing Services [online] http://www.healthcare-[online] http://www.healthcare-dit.demon.co.uk/benefits.html (Date dit.demon.co.uk/benefits.html (Date Accessed: 04/03/04)Accessed: 04/03/04)
Woodward, W. (2001) ‘Britain near bottom Woodward, W. (2001) ‘Britain near bottom for adult literacy’[online] for adult literacy’[online] http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4161319,00.html (Date Accessed: 0,4273,4161319,00.html (Date Accessed: 08/12/08)08/12/08)
