Proofreading Checklist for Academic Writing
A proofreading checklist can help ensure a thorough and systematic writing review for errors and inconsistencies. There may be a few extra steps for academic writing, such as checking your style guide to ensure you’ve followed the guidelines correctly (I highly recommend doing this before you even start writing to try to get the style right the first time around). Feeling a bit stuck? Here’s our comprehensive proofreading checklist to get you going!
Spelling and Grammar:
Check for spelling errors using spell-checking software and manually review any flagged words.
Proofread for grammar errors, including things like subject-verb agreement, verb tense consistency, and proper use of pronouns.
Verify the accuracy of homophones (e.g., there/their/they're, its/it's) and ensure correct usage.
Punctuation:
Review punctuation marks — such as commas, periods, semicolons, colons, dashes, and quotation marks — for accuracy and consistency.
Check for correct use of apostrophes in possessives and contractions.
Ensure proper placement of punctuation within and at the end of sentences.
Sentence Structure and Clarity:
Read each sentence carefully to ensure clarity, coherence, and logical flow of ideas.
Check for sentence fragments or run-on sentences and revise as needed for clarity and completeness.
Confirm that each sentence has a clear subject, verb, and complete thought.
Paragraph Structure:
Examine paragraph organisation and coherence, ensuring that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence and focuses on a single main idea.
Check for smooth transitions between paragraphs and ensure logical progression of ideas throughout the document.
Style and Language Use:
Check for consistency in writing style, tone, and language use throughout the document.
Review for wordiness, redundancy, or ambiguity, and revise sentences or phrases as necessary for clarity and conciseness.
Check for consistent use of academic vocabulary and terminology appropriate for the subject matter.
Formatting and Presentation:
Ensure consistency in formatting elements such as font size, style, spacing, margins, and alignment.
Check for proper indentation of paragraphs and block quotations, as well as alignment of headings and subheadings.
Verify the accuracy and consistency of citations, references, and bibliography entries according to the required citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, MHRA, Chicago).
Content Accuracy and Completeness:
Review the accuracy and completeness of factual information, data, statistics, and quotations cited in the text.
Confirm that all claims, arguments, and conclusions are supported by evidence and properly cited from credible sources.
Check for any missing or incomplete sections, such as an abstract, introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, or conclusion.
Final Checks:
Proofread the entire document from start to finish, focusing on individual sentences and paragraphs and the overall structure and coherence.
Read the document aloud or use text-to-speech software to identify any awkward phrasing, errors, or inconsistencies.
Print out a copy of the document and proofread it on paper, marking any errors or areas for revision.
Seek feedback from peers, mentors, or instructors, and incorporate any suggestions or revisions before finalising the document (this is where we can help!).
Following this proofreading checklist ensures that your academic writing is polished, error-free, and ready for submission or publication. Don’t forget to allocate sufficient time for proofreading and revision to achieve the highest quality of writing possible!