how to proofread your own essay

Editing and Proofreading

What this handout is about.

This handout provides some tips and strategies for revising your writing. To give you a chance to practice proofreading, we have left seven errors (three spelling errors, two punctuation errors, and two grammatical errors) in the text of this handout. See if you can spot them!

Is editing the same thing as proofreading?

Not exactly. Although many people use the terms interchangeably, editing and proofreading are two different stages of the revision process. Both demand close and careful reading, but they focus on different aspects of the writing and employ different techniques.

Some tips that apply to both editing and proofreading

• Get some distance from the text! It’s hard to edit or proofread a paper that you’ve just finished writing—it’s still to familiar, and you tend to skip over a lot of errors. Put the paper aside for a few hours, days, or weeks. Go for a run. Take a trip to the beach. Clear your head of what you’ve written so you can take a fresh look at the paper and see what is really on the page. Better yet, give the paper to a friend—you can’t get much more distance than that. Someone who is reading the paper for the first time, comes to it with completely fresh eyes.
• Decide which medium lets you proofread most carefully. Some people like to work right at the computer, while others like to sit back with a printed copy that they can mark up as they read.
• Try changing the look of your document. Altering the size, spacing, color, or style of the text may trick your brain into thinking it’s seeing an unfamiliar document, and that can help you get a different perspective on what you’ve written.
• Find a quiet place to work. Don’t try to do your proofreading in front of the TV or while you’re chugging away on the treadmill. Find a place where you can concentrate and avoid distractions.
• If possible, do your editing and proofreading in several short blocks of time. Your concentration may start to wane if you try to proofread the entire text at one time.
• If you’re short on time, you may wish to prioritize. Make sure that you complete the most important editing and proofreading tasks.

Editing is what you begin doing as soon as you finish your first draft. You reread your draft to see, for example, whether the paper is well-organized, the transitions between paragraphs are smooth, and your evidence really backs up your argument. You can edit on several levels:

Have you done everything the assignment requires? Are the claims you make accurate? If it is required to do so, does your paper make an argument? Is the argument complete? Are all of your claims consistent? Have you supported each point with adequate evidence? Is all of the information in your paper relevant to the assignment and/or your overall writing goal? (For additional tips, see our handouts on understanding assignments and developing an argument .)

Overall structure

Does your paper have an appropriate introduction and conclusion? Is your thesis clearly stated in your introduction? Is it clear how each paragraph in the body of your paper is related to your thesis? Are the paragraphs arranged in a logical sequence? Have you made clear transitions between paragraphs? One way to check the structure of your paper is to make a reverse outline of the paper after you have written the first draft. (See our handouts on introductions , conclusions , thesis statements , and transitions .)

Structure within paragraphs

Does each paragraph have a clear topic sentence? Does each paragraph stick to one main idea? Are there any extraneous or missing sentences in any of your paragraphs? (See our handout on paragraph development .)

Have you defined any important terms that might be unclear to your reader? Is the meaning of each sentence clear? (One way to answer this question is to read your paper one sentence at a time, starting at the end and working backwards so that you will not unconsciously fill in content from previous sentences.) Is it clear what each pronoun (he, she, it, they, which, who, this, etc.) refers to? Have you chosen the proper words to express your ideas? Avoid using words you find in the thesaurus that aren’t part of your normal vocabulary; you may misuse them.

Have you used an appropriate tone (formal, informal, persuasive, etc.)? Is your use of gendered language (masculine and feminine pronouns like “he” or “she,” words like “fireman” that contain “man,” and words that some people incorrectly assume apply to only one gender—for example, some people assume “nurse” must refer to a woman) appropriate? Have you varied the length and structure of your sentences? Do you tends to use the passive voice too often? Does your writing contain a lot of unnecessary phrases like “there is,” “there are,” “due to the fact that,” etc.? Do you repeat a strong word (for example, a vivid main verb) unnecessarily? (For tips, see our handouts on style and gender-inclusive language .)

Have you appropriately cited quotes, paraphrases, and ideas you got from sources? Are your citations in the correct format? (See the UNC Libraries citation tutorial for more information.)

As you edit at all of these levels, you will usually make significant revisions to the content and wording of your paper. Keep an eye out for patterns of error; knowing what kinds of problems you tend to have will be helpful, especially if you are editing a large document like a thesis or dissertation. Once you have identified a pattern, you can develop techniques for spotting and correcting future instances of that pattern. For example, if you notice that you often discuss several distinct topics in each paragraph, you can go through your paper and underline the key words in each paragraph, then break the paragraphs up so that each one focuses on just one main idea.

Proofreading

Proofreading is the final stage of the editing process, focusing on surface errors such as misspellings and mistakes in grammar and punctuation. You should proofread only after you have finished all of your other editing revisions.

Why proofread? It’s the content that really matters, right?

Content is important. But like it or not, the way a paper looks affects the way others judge it. When you’ve worked hard to develop and present your ideas, you don’t want careless errors distracting your reader from what you have to say. It’s worth paying attention to the details that help you to make a good impression.

Most people devote only a few minutes to proofreading, hoping to catch any glaring errors that jump out from the page. But a quick and cursory reading, especially after you’ve been working long and hard on a paper, usually misses a lot. It’s better to work with a definite plan that helps you to search systematically for specific kinds of errors.

Sure, this takes a little extra time, but it pays off in the end. If you know that you have an effective way to catch errors when the paper is almost finished, you can worry less about editing while you are writing your first drafts. This makes the entire writing proccess more efficient.

Try to keep the editing and proofreading processes separate. When you are editing an early draft, you don’t want to be bothered with thinking about punctuation, grammar, and spelling. If your worrying about the spelling of a word or the placement of a comma, you’re not focusing on the more important task of developing and connecting ideas.

The proofreading process

You probably already use some of the strategies discussed below. Experiment with different tactics until you find a system that works well for you. The important thing is to make the process systematic and focused so that you catch as many errors as possible in the least amount of time.

• Don’t rely entirely on spelling checkers. These can be useful tools but they are far from foolproof. Spell checkers have a limited dictionary, so some words that show up as misspelled may really just not be in their memory. In addition, spell checkers will not catch misspellings that form another valid word. For example, if you type “your” instead of “you’re,” “to” instead of “too,” or “there” instead of “their,” the spell checker won’t catch the error.
• Grammar checkers can be even more problematic. These programs work with a limited number of rules, so they can’t identify every error and often make mistakes. They also fail to give thorough explanations to help you understand why a sentence should be revised. You may want to use a grammar checker to help you identify potential run-on sentences or too-frequent use of the passive voice, but you need to be able to evaluate the feedback it provides.
• Proofread for only one kind of error at a time. If you try to identify and revise too many things at once, you risk losing focus, and your proofreading will be less effective. It’s easier to catch grammar errors if you aren’t checking punctuation and spelling at the same time. In addition, some of the techniques that work well for spotting one kind of mistake won’t catch others.
• Read slow, and read every word. Try reading out loud , which forces you to say each word and also lets you hear how the words sound together. When you read silently or too quickly, you may skip over errors or make unconscious corrections.
• Separate the text into individual sentences. This is another technique to help you to read every sentence carefully. Simply press the return key after every period so that every line begins a new sentence. Then read each sentence separately, looking for grammar, punctuation, or spelling errors. If you’re working with a printed copy, try using an opaque object like a ruler or a piece of paper to isolate the line you’re working on.
• Circle every punctuation mark. This forces you to look at each one. As you circle, ask yourself if the punctuation is correct.
• Read the paper backwards. This technique is helpful for checking spelling. Start with the last word on the last page and work your way back to the beginning, reading each word separately. Because content, punctuation, and grammar won’t make any sense, your focus will be entirely on the spelling of each word. You can also read backwards sentence by sentence to check grammar; this will help you avoid becoming distracted by content issues.
• Proofreading is a learning process. You’re not just looking for errors that you recognize; you’re also learning to recognize and correct new errors. This is where handbooks and dictionaries come in. Keep the ones you find helpful close at hand as you proofread.
• Ignorance may be bliss, but it won’t make you a better proofreader. You’ll often find things that don’t seem quite right to you, but you may not be quite sure what’s wrong either. A word looks like it might be misspelled, but the spell checker didn’t catch it. You think you need a comma between two words, but you’re not sure why. Should you use “that” instead of “which”? If you’re not sure about something, look it up.
• The proofreading process becomes more efficient as you develop and practice a systematic strategy. You’ll learn to identify the specific areas of your own writing that need careful attention, and knowing that you have a sound method for finding errors will help you to focus more on developing your ideas while you are drafting the paper.

Think you’ve got it?

Then give it a try, if you haven’t already! This handout contains seven errors our proofreader should have caught: three spelling errors, two punctuation errors, and two grammatical errors. Try to find them, and then check a version of this page with the errors marked in red to see if you’re a proofreading star.

Works consulted

We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.

Especially for non-native speakers of English:

Ascher, Allen. 2006. Think About Editing: An ESL Guide for the Harbrace Handbooks . Boston: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.

Lane, Janet, and Ellen Lange. 2012. Writing Clearly: Grammar for Editing , 3rd ed. Boston: Heinle.

For everyone:

Einsohn, Amy. 2011. The Copyeditor’s Handbook: A Guide for Book Publishing and Corporate Communications , 3rd ed. Berkeley: University of California Press.

Lanham, Richard A. 2006. Revising Prose , 5th ed. New York: Pearson Longman.

Tarshis, Barry. 1998. How to Be Your Own Best Editor: The Toolkit for Everyone Who Writes . New York: Three Rivers Press.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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Tips For Effective Proofreading

Proofread backwards. Begin at the end and work back through the paper paragraph by paragraph or even line by line. This will force you to look at the surface elements rather than the meaning of the paper.

Place a ruler under each line as you read it. This will give your eyes a manageable amount of text to read.

Know your own typical mistakes. Before you proofread, look over papers you have written in the past. Make a list of the errors you make repeatedly.

Proofread for one type of error at a time. If commas are your most frequent problem, go through the paper checking just that one problem. Then proofread again for the next most frequent problem.

Try to make a break between writing and proofreading. Set the paper aside for the night — or even for twenty minutes.

Proofread at the time of day when you are most alert to spotting errors.

Proofread once aloud. This will slow you down and you will hear the difference between what you meant to write and what you actually wrote.

Try to give yourself a break between the time you complete your final version of the paper and the time you sit down to edit. Approaching your writing with a clear head and having at least an hour to work on editing will ensure that you can do a thorough, thoughtful job. The results will definitely be worthwhile.

Ask someone else to read over your paper and help you find sentences that aren’t clear, places where you’re being wordy, and any errors.

Try reading backwards, a sentence at a time. This will help you focus on the sentences, rather than getting caught up in the content of your paper.

Know your own patterns. Your instructor can probably help you identify the errors you’ve made most often in your previous papers, and then you can focus your attention on finding and fixing them.

Read through your paper several times , once looking just at spelling, another time looking just at punctuation, and so on. Again, this can help you focus so you’ll do a better job.

Use the spell-checker on your computer, but use it carefully, and also do your own spell-checking. Computer spell-checkers often make errors – they might suggest a word that isn’t what you want at all, and they don’t know the difference between there, their, and they’re, for example.

Get help. If you’re not sure if you need that comma or whether to use “affect” or “effect,” look it up in a writing handbook, or ask your instructor for help.

Remember that editing isn’t just about errors. You want to polish your sentences at this point, making them smooth, interesting, and clear. Watch for very long sentences, since they may be less clear than shorter, more direct sentences. Pay attention to the rhythm of your writing; try to use sentences of varying lengths and patterns. Look for unnecessary phrases, repetition, and awkward spots.

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Strategies to Proofread Effectively

• An Introduction to Punctuation
• Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
• M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
• B.A., English, State University of New York

Acclaimed author Mark Twain had much to say on the topics of writing and language during his life, and his words are still quoted regularly today. The quote, "The difference between the almost right word and the right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug," for example, is one of Twain's most well-known observations. Ironically, however, it is often misquoted and lightning is misspelled twice as lightening .

Twain himself had little patience for such errors and vehemently advocated for proofreading . As once an old newspaper reporter himself, Twain knew full well how hard it is to proofread your own work, but he also knew that proofreaders can't always catch all of your mistakes. As he said in a letter to Sir Walter Bessant in February 1898:

"[W]hen you think you are reading proof, ... you are merely reading your own mind; your statement of the thing is full of holes and vacancies but you don't know it, because you are filling them from your mind as you go along. Sometimes—but not often enough—the printer's proof-reader saves you—and offends you ... and [you] find that the insulter is right."

So how does one proofread one's own work effectively, catching all of the mistakes without having to rely on someone else to do so? Here are ten strategies for doing just that.

Tips for Proofreading Effectively

There's no foolproof formula for perfect proofreading every time—as Twain realized, it's just too tempting to see what we meant to write rather than the words that actually appear on the page or screen. But these 10 tips should help you see (or hear) your errors before anybody else does.

• Give it a rest. If time allows, set your text aside for a few hours (or days) after you've finished composing it, then proofread it with fresh eyes. Rather than remembering the perfect paper you meant to write and projecting this onto your work, you're more likely to see what you've actually written and be able to improve it.
• Look for one type of problem at a time. Read through your text several times, concentrating first on sentence structures , then word choice , then spelling , and finally punctuation . As the saying goes, if you look for trouble, you're bound to find it.
• Double-check facts, figures, and proper names. In addition to reviewing for correct spelling and usage , make sure that all the information in your text is accurate and up to date.
• Review a hard copy. Print out your text and review it line by line. Rereading your work in a different format may help you catch errors that you previously missed.
• Read your text aloud. Or better yet, ask a friend or colleague to read it aloud. You may hear a problem (a faulty verb ending or missing word, for example) that you haven't been able to see.
• Use a spellchecker. A reliable spellchecker can help you catch repeated words, reversed letters, and many other common slip-ups—these tools are certainly not goof-proof, but they can weed out simple mistakes.
• Trust your dictionary. Your spellchecker or autocorrect can help you make sure that the words you've written are written correctly, but they can't help you choose the right word. Use a dictionary when you're not sure what word to use. If you're not sure whether sand is in a desert or a dessert , for example, crack open a dictionary.
• Read your text backward. Another way to catch spelling errors is to read backward, from right to left, starting with the last word in your text. Doing this will help you focus on individual words rather than on sentences so that you can't use context as a crutch.
• Create your own proofreading checklist. Keep a list of the types of mistakes you commonly make and refer to this the next time you proofread. Hopefully, this will help you stop making the same mistakes.
• Ask for help. Invite someone else to proofread your text after you have reviewed it. A new set of eyes may immediately spot errors that you've overlooked, but if you've followed the rest of these steps closely, your proofreader shouldn't find much at all.
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Seven Effective Ways to Proofread Writing

Proofreading what you have written can be very dull. There are many different ways to proofread writing. What works for one person may constitute a painful process for another. Regardless of the method you choose, proofreading is a critical part of the writing process and should never be overlooked. Here are some effective methods for proofreading your documents.

Do not rely on spelling and grammar checkers

Spell checkers are great as a first step and will be useful in assisting you to identify high-level errors. However, automated spelling and grammar checkers are severely limited. They cannot identify many common grammatical errors. Furthermore, they often make serious mistakes that can mislead even the most diligent writer. It is important to remember that spell checkers identify misspelled words only. They do not alert you to correctly spelled words that are grammatically incorrect.

Example: There are at least too reasons why students should not rely on spell check. [Note that the word “too” is incorrect. “Too” means, also. The correct word is “two” for the number 2.]

Proofread for one error at a time

Proofreading really is a meticulous and time-consuming process, but the more you put into it, the more you get out. If you attempt to identify and correct all errors within one sitting, you risk losing focus and you many find that you miss major mistakes. Sometimes it is useful to check for spelling mistakes and punctuation errors separately. This will make it easier to spot issues. You can then use a variety of proofreading techniques for the different types of mistakes you find.

Read each word slowly

One technique that the majority of professional proofreaders use is to read the writing they are proofreading out loud. This forces you to voice every single word and involves your auditory senses in the process, meaning that you can hear how the text actually sounds when it is read. Trying to read something quickly forces your brain to skip some words and to make unconscious corrections.

Divide the text into manageable chunks

Dividing the text into separate sections provides you with more manageable tasks. Read each section carefully. Then, take a break before you progress to the next. This will prevent you from feeling overwhelmed by the task ahead and will allow you to concentrate more effectively on the section of writing that you are proofreading. This technique is especially useful if you are proofreading a very large document such as a thesis, research paper or practicum project.

Circle punctuation marks

This method may seem somewhat excessive, but it is one of the most effective methods used for identifying punctuation mistakes. By circling every single punctuation mark, you force yourself to look at each one in turn and to question if it has been used correctly.

Read the writing backwards

This proofreading method is useful for identifying spelling mistakes because it forces you to concentrate on each word in isolation. Start with the last word in your text and follow each one separately until you reach the beginning of the document. While you are doing this, you are not really interested in punctuation and grammar; you are focusing entirely on how the words have been spelled. Many proofreaders also recommend reading papers backwards, sentence by sentence. This encourages you to consider each sentence in isolation out of the context of the rest of the writing and is great for helping you to identify grammatical errors.

Note the errors you make on a frequent basis

Proofreading your writing on a regular basis can help you identify your own strengths and weaknesses and understand where you make mistakes. If you are aware of the common errors you make, you can learn to look for them during the writing process itself. Over a period of time, will learn to avoid them altogether. Keep style guides and grammar rules at hand as you proofread. Look up any areas of which you are uncertain. Over time, you will develop your knowledge and your writing skills will improve.

*Adapted from https://www.vappingo.com/word-blog/proofread-writing/

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What Does Proofreading Mean? Definition and Checklist

• 6-minute read
• 7th February 2023

Proofreading is an important step in the writing process that ensures high-quality, professional, error-free writing. In this article, you’ll learn all about proofreading, including effective techniques and tips and a checklist you can use at home.

What Is Proofreading?

Proofreading is the process of carefully reviewing written work to find and correct errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and formatting. It is the final step in the writing process; it ensures clean, clear, and professional writing before submission or publication. Keep in mind that proofreading differs from other writing steps, such as revising or editing , so be sure you know how the steps differ and when they should be completed in the writing process.

The Importance of Proofreading

Proofreading is important because it helps you catch mistakes you may have made during the writing stage. Proofreading ensures that your work is polished and professional and that your ideas are clear. Proofreading is especially important for writing that will be viewed by a larger audience or published: novels, short stories, online articles, etc. In formal writing, such as academic papers, business proposals, and resumes, proofreading is equally important because it shows professionalism and attention to detail from the writer.

How to Proofread

While proofreading can be as simple as reading over an email before hitting send . it can be more involved , depending on the type of document in question. Proofreading involves reading your work carefully, line by line, and looking for errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and formatting.

Tips for Effective Proofreading

Whether you are proofreading your own writing or that of others, here are some great tips to make sure you don’t miss a stray comma!

Leave Plenty of Time

Make sure you have plenty of time to proofread before your deadline, especially if you are proofreading your own writing. When you are proofreading your own writing, it can be particularly difficult to catch mistakes. If possible, wait a couple of days after you finish writing before you go back and proofread. This way, you will have fresh eyes and a new perspective.

Read Your Work

Reading your work in different ways will highlight mistakes that may be missed otherwise. Here are three ways you can read your work to catch mistakes and get a different perspective on your writing:

Read from the bottom to the top: Start with the last sentence and go all the way to the first. This helps isolate each sentence so you can focus on errors.

Read out loud: Read your work out loud in funny or strange voices. Pretend you are a robot or an opera singer to highlight grammar errors or awkward sentences that need your attention.

Use the read aloud function: Most word processing systems have a read aloud option. Listening to someone else (or a computer) read your work gives you the perspective of a listener or a different reader and further aids in the proofreading process.

Use a Proofreading Checklist

A checklist can alleviate some of the mental fatigue of trying to remember everything you need to look for in a text. You’ll find a great proofreading checklist below to use at home.

Take Breaks

You are not a super(wo)man or a machine. Take a ten-minute break every hour or so to give your eyes and mind a rest. When you become too familiar with a text, you will start to skim over mistakes and errors. Be sure to get movement in also during your breaks to avoid any physical stiffness or discomfort.

Get a Fresh Set of Eyes

Whether it’s a friend, a peer, or a professional proofreader , having someone else look for mistakes and give feedback is always helpful. They will have a different perspective and can offer fresh ideas to enhance your writing.

Proofreading Checklist

If you’re not sure what to look for while proofreading, here’s a checklist you can copy and paste for future use. 

●  Spelling: Check for misspelled and commonly confused words (e.g., there vs. their or affect vs. effect ).

●  Grammar: Check for subject–verb agreement , verb tenses , and article use .

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●  Punctuation: Check for proper use of periods , commas , semicolons , colons , apostrophes , and quotation marks .

●  Capitalization : Check for capitalization of proper nouns, the first word of sentences, and specified words in titles and headings (nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc.).

●  Formatting: Check for consistency in fonts, spacing, and alignment.

●  Contractions ( I’m , can’t , should’ve , etc.): Do not use contractions in academic or business writing.

●  Clarity: Check for wordiness, redundancy, and awkward phrasing.

●  Accuracy: Check for any factual errors or inaccuracies.

●  Citations and the reference list : Check for proper in-text citation and reference list formatting.

●  Consistency: Check for consistency in language, tone, and style.

Or if you’re serious about proofreading properly, check out our official Proofed Proofreading Checklist . It’s what our expert proofreaders use!

Proofreading is an important step in the writing process because it helps to ensure that your work is clear, professional, and easy to understand. Be sure to set time aside to proofread your work, take frequent breaks during the process, and use a checklist so you don’t miss a mistake.

What are some common mistakes to look for when proofreading?

Check for spelling, punctuation, grammar, capitalization, and formatting mistakes. Make sure the writing is clear, concise, and consistent. Reword sentences that are wordy, overly lengthy, or awkward. Overall, you want to have error-free, polished, and professional text.

How can I improve my proofreading skills?

The best way to improve your proofreading skills is through practice and experience. Having a strong command of English grammar and writing mechanics is imperative. Consider taking a proofreading course, such as the one offered by Knowadays , to get expert feedback and materials if you are serious about becoming a proofreader.

What’s the difference between proofreading and editing?

Proofreading focuses on grammar, spelling, punctuation, and formatting mistakes. Think of it as the final polish in the writing process. Editing comes before proofreading in the writing process and focuses on the content, organization, and overall structure of the writing.

Where can I hire a professional to proofread my work for me?

Proofed has a team of more than 750 professional editors with expertise in fields across the board. We work with researchers, students, Fortune 500 companies, and independent authors to make their writing clean, professional, and ready for publication. Take advantage of our free trial today.

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Your Ultimate Proofreading Checklist: 47 Things Every Writer Should Know

What would you say if someone asked you to define proofread? Many believe that proofreading is yet another word for editing, proofing, or copyediting . However, despite being close in meaning, those words can hardly be considered synonyms.

According to the definition, proofreading means going through the final draft of a text to clean it up and ensure quality, harmony, logic, and order. It is different from other quality check measures as it is the final step to producing a presentable document. The essence of proofreading is to ensure accuracy, readability, appropriateness, veracity, consistency, and sharpness of presentation. To master this art, one needs to know not only proofreading basics, but also various proofreading hacks and expert tips. Read on to learn how to proofread professionally and grab your free proofreading checklist template that you can use on a daily basis.

Proofreading checklist

Which issues should you correct during the proofreading stage of the writing process? How to proofread your own writing? These questions bother both experienced proofreaders and newcomers in the field. Here at Writology, we have come up with a complete proofreading guide that will give you a list of things to check in the process and teach how to proofread better.

• Title appropriateness: The title must be clear, concise, accurate, and ethically considerate. It must express the tone, intentions of a writer, and get the message across to the intended audience. In addition, the title must not mislead readers or make deceitful proclamations. Instead, it should be creative, captivating, and strategic enough to evoke interest in the reader, since the title is the most important selling point of any text. Here, the best way to proofread is to review the piece without falling into the trap of sensationalism and hollow bombastic assertions.
• Style: The proofreading process requires a thorough understanding of various writing styles and approaches. It includes in-house conventionalized formatting frameworks that define the unique manner of presentation in specific cases. The main elements of style are structure, page numbering, punctuation, format, and diction. Each organization has its own message packaging style which a proofreader should be aware of.

Depending on the core purpose, audience, and desired outcome of the communication, a proofreader should be able to decide on the right choice of words for maximum impact. It is usually the style that dictates whether you should use a country-specific jargon, spelling, or word structure. Finally, formatting is important as it tells how content and ideas should be organized. Ensure that ideas flow into each other naturally and arrangement is logical (with well-placed headers and paragraphing). The structure also influences how pictures, supporting elements, and illustrations are positioned for best aesthetic and readability value.

• Tone: The tone of the text is not only a great determinant of the impact of the message but also its relevance. Thus, a proofreader must ensure that the tone corresponds with the target audience and the intended purpose of the communication (whether to persuade, influence, inform, reprimand, instruct, encourage, order, educate, motivate, or criticize). The proofreader’s task is to adapt the tone to make it suit a specific style (whether APA, MLA, Chicago, etc).
• Grammar: Proofreaders should pay a very special attention to grammar. Excellent grammar signifies the credibility, maturity, professionalism, and seriousness of a text. Indeed, grammatical errors are a major cause for concern and probably the biggest reason why the world needs proofreading. This is because unlike other potential mistakes in any given text, grammatical errors are perhaps the most difficult to completely get rid of. Even the most skilled proofreaders are bound to experience occasional oversights in grammar. Thus, extreme care is indispensable for grammatical harmony.
• Attribution: This aspect of proofreading is one that comes with inherent legal and ethical consequences and must be adhered to with utmost care. Moreover, failure to properly attribute and acknowledge sources taints the reputation, credibility, and competence of a writer. A proofreader must pay particular attention to all copyright and fair use regulations to avoid the shameful stain of plagiarism and other intricate complications. Ensure that all data, quotes, statistics, illustrations, and photos are properly attributed to their original sources. Also make sure that you have the express permission to use original pieces when it comes to videos, photos, and other vivid illustrations.
• Spelling: Spelling mistakes often cause embarrassment that can undermine an otherwise perfect piece. Surprisingly, research shows that spelling mistakes are by far the most common errors encountered in proofreading. Unfortunately, it is also the single most inexcusable mistake that a proofreader can make. However, most spelling mistakes are easy to spot and correct using various editing tools that easily recognize typos and alert a proofreader.
• Logic, harmony, and reasonability: One of the most compelling reasons why you should proofread is to evaluate the rationality of the content. All loose ends must be tied up and all arising conflicts resolved. Ensure the content is suitable to the target audience and all mathematical calculations and figures support the statements upon interpretation. Also, the content should be credible, ethical in its objectives and intentions, sensitive to diversities, as well as worthy of eventual publication. The tip here is to thoroughly fact-check the text and review supporting elements.

Steps to proofread better

Proofreading is a complex undertaking that can be executed successfully if certain tips, best practices, and procedural considerations are followed. Here are four things to look for when proofreading:

• Read and understand the message of the text in its entirety in order to be able to start from a strong position of understanding. Then focus on targeting different aspects of the checklist at a time on each reading pass, making multiple readings to increase accuracy.
• Proofread sentences and paragraphs separately to get the feel and understand key messages of the text. Attempt to read each paragraph backwards from the last one to the first one just to get a different angle and notice potential errors you would’ve missed otherwise.
• The third best practice is to read the text out loud to capture minor mistakes by using the sense of hearing. You can also try reading with a partner and listening to him/her reading. Consider varying the speed of reading from slow to fast to increase efficiency.
• Stick to guidelines on a checklist and use proofreading software to check for spelling mistakes and redundancies. There are many websites that provide reasonably well-researched checklists as well as downloadable proofreading checklist pdfs and docs.

These tips can provide an insight into how to proofread your own work as well as someone else’s writing.

Proofreading is a very taxing and tedious occupation that requires the best professionals in the field to be executed perfectly. Therefore, it is highly advisable to consider seeking help from professionals to ensure the best quality work. Consequently, there are some highly recommendable professional proofreading services that allow users to proofread online. Depending on your budget and the deadline, you can seek proofreading help to consult, compare, and decide on what is the best way to proofread your work.

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There are times when you just want to write without worrying about every grammar or spelling convention. The online proofreader immediately finds all of your errors. This allows you to concentrate on the bigger picture. You’ll be 100% confident that your writing won’t affect your grade.

What does a proofreader do?

The proofreading process is your last chance to catch any errors in your writing before you submit it. A proofreader makes sure your spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors are reviewed and fixed. This can be done automatically by an AI-powered tool like the one at the top of this page or by a real human. Both options have their advantages, so pick the one that suits you most.

Fix mistakes that slip under your radar

✔ Fix problems with commonly confused words, like affect vs. effect, which vs. that and who vs. that.

✔ Catch words that sound similar but aren’t, like their vs. they’re, your vs. you’re.

✔ Check your punctuation to avoid errors with dashes and hyphens, commas, apostrophes, and more.

✔ Avoid sentence fragments, subject-verb agreement errors, and problems with parallelism.

How does the proofreader work?

The online proofreader.

It’s really straightforward. Just paste the text into the tool. All your errors will now be underlined in red. You can hover over these mistakes to see how they can be addressed. If you agree, just click on the button “Fix all errors,” and your mistakes will be fixed instantly! 

The professional proofreader

Upload your entire document first. Choose the pages you want proofread, the extra services you want to use, and the deadline. Then fill in some key details like your field of study so that we can find you the best proofreader. When you’re done, you pay for your order, and we make sure that your writing is checked by a proofreader. You’ll be contacted when the job is done!

Who should use this proofreader?

Avoid a bad grade and hand in your documents with absolute confidence.

Businesspeople

Look like a pro by writing error-free emails, reports, and more.

Ensure your work is clear and readable to increase the chance that it’ll get published.

Want your whole document checked and corrected in a matter of minutes?

Would you like to upload your entire document and check all your documents for 100+ language issues? Then Scribbr’s AI-powered proofreading is perfect for you.

With AI-powered proofreading, you can correct your text in no time.

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“Excellent review of a paper that was deciding my grade. I appreciate both the edits and the feedback to increase my knowledge of correct APA formatting and accurate citations. I needed the paper returned quickly, and the team worked hard to make sure I had what I needed. I just got my grade back, A+. I would 100% use this service again, it was worth every penny!!!!!!”

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Don’t let typos and grammar keep you down. make your writing count, ask our team.

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Frequently asked questions

Our support team is here to help you daily via chat, WhatsApp, email, or phone between 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. CET.

Yes! Our personal statement editors can help you reduce your word count by up to 25%. You can choose to receive this feedback through direct edits or suggestions in comments – just select your choice when you upload your personal statement.

Our APA experts default to APA 7 for editing and formatting. For the Citation Editing Service you are able to choose between APA 6 and 7.

It is not necessary to reserve a time slot for your edit. As soon as your document is ready to be proofread, you can upload it at any time via our website . Based on your chosen deadline, our editor(s) will then proofread your document within 24 hours, 3 days, or 7 days.

If you are unsure about the availability of our services or are planning to upload a very large document (>13,000 words) with a 24 hour deadline, we recommend that you contact us beforehand via chat or email .

Scribbr is following the guidelines announced by the WHO (World Health Organization). As an online platform, all our services remain available, and we will continue to help students as usual.

Can I still place an order? Will my order be completed within the deadline? Yes, you can still place orders and orders will be delivered within the agreed upon deadline. Scribbr is an online platform – our proofreading & editing services are provided by editors working remotely from all over the world. This means Scribbr can guarantee that we will process your order with the same diligence and professionalism as always. The same holds true for our Plagiarism Checker .

Can I still contact customer support? Yes. Our support team is available from 09.00 to 23.00 CET and happy to answer any questions you might have!

Yes, if your document is longer than 20,000 words, you will get a sample of approximately 2,000 words. This sample edit gives you a first impression of the editor’s editing style and a chance to ask questions and give feedback.

How does the sample edit work?

You will receive the sample edit within 12 hours after placing your order. You then have 24 hours to let us know if you’re happy with the sample or if there’s something you would like the editor to do differently.

Read more about how the sample edit works

When you upload a large document (20,000+ words), we will ask your editor to send a sample edit of approximately 2,000 words as soon as possible. This sample edit gives you a first impression of your editor’s editing style and what you can expect from the service. You will receive it within 12 hours after uploading your order.

Why do we provide you with a sample edit?

We always aim to make you 100% happy, and Proofreading & Editing is a complex service. We want to make sure that our editing style meets your expectations before the editor improves your entire document.

Our editors are trained to follow Scribbr’s academic style . However, your preferences might deviate from our conventions. The sample edit gives you the chance to provide feedback – you can let us know if you’re happy with the sample or if there’s something you would like the editor to do differently.

Once your editor has completed your sample edit, you will receive a notification via email. You have 24 hours to reply to this email and provide us with feedback. If we receive your feedback in time, your editor will go the extra mile and adjust the edit according to your input.

What sort of feedback can you give?

Give us feedback that will help your editor meet your requirements. For example:

• “I am completely happy. The editor can continue editing like this.”
• “I forgot to mention that my school has the following rules for gendered pronouns.”
• “The editor changed the spelling of a technical term, but my professor spells it differently. Please keep the original spelling of this term.”

The  Structure  and Clarity Check can only be purchased in conjunction with Proofreading & Editing . Providing feedback on structure and clarity requires extensive knowledge of the text, which the editor acquires while proofreading and editing your text.

However, our Paper Formatting Service,   Citation Editing Service and Plagiarism Checker can be purchased separately.

Yes, Scribbr will proofread the summary in another language as well.

Who will proofread my summary?

If your document contains a summary in a different language, we will send this part to another editor who is a native speaker of that language. The editor will check your summary, applying our standard Proofreading & Editing service.

If you ordered any additional services, such as the Structure Check or Clarity Check, the editor will not apply them to your summary. This is because the summary is a translation of your abstract – you already receive Structure and Clarity feedback on the text in the original language. Therefore, when proofreading your summary, the editor will focus on making sure your language and style is correct.

How does it work?

We will create a new assignment within your order and send you a confirmation email. This also means that you will receive a separate email/SMS notification from us when the editor has finished proofreading your summary. Once your summary is proofread, you can download it via your Scribbr account and read the editor’s feedback.

Yes, we can provide a certificate of proofreading.

As soon as the editor delivers the edit, you can email us at [email protected] to request a certificate.

Please indicate the following in your email:

• Your order number
• Your full name
• The title of your work

We will create a PDF certificate and email it to you as soon as possible.

Scribbr specializes in editing study-related documents . We proofread:

• PhD dissertations
• Research proposals
• Personal statements
• Admission essays
• Motivation letters
• Reflection papers
• Journal articles
• Capstone projects

Yes, when you accept all changes and delete all comments your document is ready to be handed in.

How to accept all changes:

• Word for Mac 2011

How to remove all comments:

When you’ve finished this, others will no longer be able to see the changes made by the editor.

• Read your last version one last time to make sure everything is the way you want it.
• Save your document as a .pdf file to come across more professional and to ensure the format of your document doesn’t change.

Yes, in the order process you can indicate your preference for American, British, or Australian English .

If you don’t choose one, your editor will follow the style of English you currently use. If your editor has any questions about this, we will contact you.

Yes, you can upload your thesis in sections.

We try our best to ensure that the same editor checks all the different sections of your thesis. When you upload a new file, our system recognizes you as a returning customer, and we immediately contact the editor who helped you before.

However, we cannot guarantee that the same editor will be available. Your chances are higher if

• You send us your text as soon as possible and
• You can be flexible about the deadline.

Please note that the shorter your deadline is, the bigger the risk that your previous editor is not available.

If your previous editor isn’t available, then we will inform you immediately and look for another qualified editor. Fear not! Every Scribbr editor follows the  Scribbr Improvement Model  and will deliver high-quality work.

However, every editor has a slightly different editing style, so you may notice small inconsistencies in editing choices. As with every proofreading order, be sure to carefully review your editor’s changes and suggestions as you finalize your text to ensure that everything is as you want it.

The fastest turnaround time is 12 hours.

You can upload your document at any time and choose between three deadlines:

At Scribbr, we promise to make every customer 100% happy with the service we offer. Our philosophy: Your complaint is always justified – no denial, no doubts.

Our customer support team is here to find the solution that helps you the most, whether that’s a free new edit or a refund for the service.

Every Scribbr order comes with our award-winning Proofreading & Editing service , which combines two important stages of the revision process.

For a more comprehensive edit, you can add a Structure Check or Clarity Check to your order. With these building blocks, you can customize the kind of feedback you receive.

You might be familiar with a different set of editing terms. To help you understand what you can expect at Scribbr, we created this table:

View an example

Scribbr not only specializes in proofreading and editing texts in English , but also in several other languages . This way, we help out students from all over the world.

As a global academic writing proofreading service, we work with professional editors  – all native speakers – who edit in the following languages :

This way, you can also have your academic writing proofread and edited in your second language!

Please note that we do not offer Finnish proofreading, but students can still upload English papers on scribbr.fi .

Yes, regardless of the deadline you choose, our editors can proofread your document during weekends and holidays.

Example: If you select the 12-hour service on Saturday, you will receive your edited document back within 12 hours on Sunday.

The footnotes are not automatically included in the word count.

If you want the language errors in your footnotes to be corrected by the editor, you can indicate this in step 3 of the upload process . The words in the footnotes are then automatically added to the total word count.

Need help with your references?

• If you use the APA reference style, you can use our free APA Citation Generator or the articles about APA in our Knowledge Base.
• If you’d like us to check your references for consistency, you can use our Citation Editing Service .

To keep our prices competitive, we do not offer a free trial edit. However, if your document is longer than 30,000 words, we are happy to provide you with a sample edit of 2,000 words to ensure you are satisfied with the editor’s editing style.

Rest assured, our customers are very satisfied with our proofreading services. We’re proud that they have rated us with an excellent 4.7 on Trustpilot. In the unlikely event that you have a less positive experience, we’ll solve that with our 100% happiness guarantee !

After your thesis has been edited , you will receive an email with a link to download the edited document.

The editor has made changes to your document using ‘ Track Changes ’ in Word.  This means that you only have to accept or ignore the changes that are made in the text one by one.

It is also possible to accept all changes at once. However, we strongly advise you not to do so for the following reasons:

• You can learn much by looking at what mistakes you have made.
• The editors do not only change the text, they also place comments when sentences or sometimes even entire paragraphs are unclear. We therefore advise you to read through these comments and take into account your editor’s tips and suggestions.
• Because of the many changes, sometimes there may be double spaces, double periods, or other minor mistakes in a sentence. Checking the changes one by one, you can easily detect these minor errors.

We have written a manual in which we explain step by step how ‘Track Changes’ works.

Check out an example

Our editors are very experienced and will do their utmost to correct all errors in your thesis .

However, with our current rates, an editor can only check your thesis once. This may cause an editor to overlook an error. We can therefore not guarantee that your thesis is 100% error free after you have had your thesis edited.

The editor uses ‘Track Changes’ in Word when editing your thesis.

Don’t know how this works? Then read the following guide  in which we explain step by step how ‘Track Changes’ works.

No, we do not provide you with a clean copy. You will always receive a file edited with tracked changes .

We do this for two main reasons:

• In most papers, there are sentences that the editor cannot edit without additional information from the author. In these cases, your editor will provide guidance but leave you to implement the feedback. If we were to simply accept the changes for you, then these issues would be left unaddressed.
• We believe students should be accountable for their work. Our editors can correct language errors and coach you to be a better writer. However, the end product belongs to you and should reflect your ideas and decisions.

All Scribbr editors are language experts with interests in different subject areas.

You can indicate your field of study when you upload your document . We’ll make sure that the editor who proofreads your work is familiar with your discipline and its specialist vocabulary.

These are the fields of study you can choose from, and examples of the main subjects in each field:

• Business and Management: Business Administration, Hotel Management, Accountancy, Marketing
• Economics: Business Economics, Econometrics, Finance
• IT and Engineering: ICT, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Applied Mathematics, Civil Engineering, Industrial Design, Electrical Engineering
• Natural and Life Sciences: Biomedical Sciences, Biology, Chemistry
• Geography, Agriculture and Environment: Ecology, Earth Sciences, Environmental Studies, Urban Planning
• Health and Medical Sciences: Medicine, Obstetrics, Pharmacy, Nutrition, Dentistry
• Arts and Humanities: Philosophy, History, Literature, Cultural Studies, Theology
• Law and Policy: Law, Political Science, Public Policy, Human Rights
• Social and Behavioral Sciences: Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Communication Sciences

Editors don’t have to be experts in the content of your paper, but they do know how to present it in the best way possible! Our goal is to improve your writing and give you feedback on the readability, structure, logic, and clarity of your text. We know from experience that the most effective editors are specialists in language and academic writing.

We’ve carefully selected and trained all of our editors to proofread theses and other academic documents. Once they’re qualified, we continue to carefully monitor their work to make sure we always deliver the highest quality .

How to Proofread

Proofreading is an important skill for any writer. Whether you are a researcher or an academic, writing and publishing are important parts of your career. Before you submit any article for publication, you must proofread it thoroughly. How is proofreading done? In this article, we will review the key parts of proofreading, discuss how it differs from other types of editing, and give you some tips on ways to effectively proofread your own papers. We will focus on English proofreading , but you can apply these tips to proofreading in another language as well.

What is Proofreading? Proofreading is when you carefully check a document for errors such as basic grammar, style and consistency before it is published or submitted for publication. Proofreading focuses specifically on “minor” errors and consistency rather than major errors or content suggestions. Items that a proofreader should review include proper spelling, capitalization, spacing between words, punctuation, and formatting. For writers who are submitting an article to a publisher that requires a specific citation format (APA, Chicago, etc.), the step of proofreading is when you check whether the formatting in your document adheres to the demands of the citation style. While most of us think of “citation style” as only applying to references, in fact, citation style guides also specify how section headings and table or figure headings should look.

How do you Proofread Documents? Professional proofreaders develop their own style and process for effectively proofreading documents over time. This process can vary depending on the type of document. Technical documents that have formulas or complex figures may require a proofreader to pay special attention to punctuation or capitalization. For example, while in English, there is generally a space between a word and a parenthesis, in chemical formulas, there is no space. Many proofreaders who offer professional proofreading services find it most effective to begin their work by reviewing different sections at a time. For example, a proofreader may begin by reviewing all of the headings and chapter titles to ensure they are consistent and correct. Next, the proofreader may then go back through the document focusing on any tables or figures. It is only at the end that a proofreader will read through the entire document to see if there are any problems or errors that they missed the first few times.

Tips for Proofreading Effectively While each proofreader has their own methodology, all proofreaders should keep several things in mind. The following are some tips from experienced proofreaders that can help make the job easier. The first five tips are general recommendations for anyone who is faced with the task of proofreading, particularly proofreading their own work. The second five tips presume that you are using a word processing program such as Microsoft Word to perform the task of English proofreading .

• Take a break from the text. You should never finish writing a text and then directly begin proofreading. You need a break of at least several hours and preferably several days so that you can approach the text with a fresh set of eyes.
• Approach the text in sections. Don’t read it straight through. Begin by focusing on headings, then address tables and figures. Read different paper sections out of order. Reading the entire paper through should be your final step.
• Stay consistent. If you make a change to a word, phrase, punctuation mark, etc., make sure that the change you made is reflected throughout the entire text.
• Print out the text and review the hard copy version when you do your final proofreading round. This isn’t always feasible for every document. However, it is well-documented that reading on paper allows people to catch errors they might miss when reading on a computer screen.
• Read aloud. Sometimes it is easier to catch errors when you hear what you read. Reading aloud can also help you stay focused.
• Review your spellchecking settings before you begin. You can select which errors you would like the program to focus on and which ones you don’t care about. Do you love the Oxford comma? You can make spellcheck mark an error where it hasn’t been used.
• Never, ever rely fully on spellchecking programs. While spellcheckers can be a lifesaver, you cannot depend on them to do the entire job for you. Spellcheckers will not pick up on words that are used incorrectly (to vs. too vs. two). In addition, if you are editing a paper or article that incorporates foreign language terms, spellcheckers will have difficulty properly distinguishing errors.
• Know your language and citation style. Should the paper be in American English? British English? Are all of the citations correctly formatted? If you have the time, it doesn’t hurt to check citation formatting against an online citation generator.
• Use the “find and replace all” function. In many documents, if an error has been made once, it has been made throughout the text. Learning how to use “find and replace all” when you come across an error can save you lots of time and effort.
• Get familiar with the Corpus of Contemporary American English and the British National Corpus. English is a complex and inconsistent language with numerous variations. Sometimes there can be more than one right answer. If you aren’t sure whether to use “on” or “in,” or whether Americans use “analyse” or “analyze,” the corpus can tell you which words and phrases are most common and in what context. Both are available online for free.

Proofreading your own work can be difficult and tedious. Fortunately, there are numerous professional proofreading services available. Hiring proofreading services can be particularly useful for anyone who needs to strictly adhere to a particular citation style. Professional proofreading services have the expertise and resources to ensure that your document meets all of the requirements. Whether you hire someone or you do it yourself, proofreading is an essential step for any writer before publication.

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How Proofreading Can Drastically Improve Your Writing

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Written by Chandra Clarke

Proofreading a paper before you turn it in can mean the difference between an unacceptable essay and one that will be praised and rewarded with an excellent grade. Too often, however, students skip this crucial step when writing.

Proofreading a paper is just as important as any other aspect of writing; in fact, the process is instrumental in getting your ideas across in an accessible and logical manner.

Before You Proofread

Before performing a final proofread, it's important to do an in-depth edit. Editing your paper allows you to examine how your ideas connect with each other in terms of organization, development, and focus.

If a particular argument or fact would be better suited for another section of your paper, you can rearrange the content so that similar ideas are presented in the same paragraph or in proximity to each other. This extra considersation can give your paper more order.

Also, take the time to rewrite or revise any part of your paper that you're unsatisfied with or that you think could be written more convincingly. Editing allows you to identify areas that could be supported by more facts or better arguments. Add more content as you see fit, as long as it's relevant and within word limit restrictions.

Save newer versions of your work as separate files so that you'll have a record of your drafts and a point of reference if you decide to revisit certain ideas. Once your paper's content and flow are the best they can be, you can dive into proofreading, which includes looking for errors in punctuation, spelling, grammar, and word choice.

The Benefits of Proofreading

Performing a thorough proofread of your work will give you the chance to fix any errors that remain and that may cloud your intended meaning. Though many computers and word processors offer spell-checkers, they cannot catch tricky and commonly misused words, such as homophones, the way that you can if you proofread and give your paper a word-by-word review.

Grammar mistakes can also be caught and fixed, especially when reading your work aloud. Since misplaced punctuation can change the entire meaning of a sentence, it's also important to ensure that these little marks have been expertly employed.

Good spelling, grammar, and punctuation are extremely important; it's not uncommon for some teachers to mark down a paper an entire letter grade if it's obvious that it hasn't been properly proofread .

Address every error, no matter how big or small. You should minimize the potential for misunderstanding by choosing the right words to communicate your ideas. Never underestimate the importance of clarity; when faced with the choice to use a big, vague word or a short, clear one, always choose the latter.

During the editing process, academic papers or theses that are highly dependent on research need to have their sources vetted for accuracy and legitimacy. Verify that your paper is based on credible information. Then, in the proofreading stage, check your citations and footnotes to ensure their proper placement and formatting.

Proofreading Tips

Certain strategies can serve you well when it comes to proofreading. Putting your paper aside for a bit can help you look at your work with fresh eyes when you decide to review it. You can also read your paper from the conclusion to the introduction to give yourself a new perspective.

If you're writing a paper that has to be presented in a certain style, such as Modern Language Association (MLA) style, it's a good idea to have others who are familiar with that style review your paper to see if it meets the prescribed standards. They may be able to identify mistakes that you missed, especially if your familiarity with MLA style is limited.

Get crafty with your proofreading techniques to ensure that you're handing in an impressive paper. Here are three practical proofreading tactics:

• Consider printing out your work or altering the document formatting; this can help you view your work as if it were written by a classmate.
• Place a separate piece of paper over your work to block out unread pieces of text while you proofread each line to help you concentrate on each word of your paper individually.
• If you or your teachers have identified certain weaknesses in your writing, review your work with the goal of addressing those areas. For example, writers who find punctuation problematic can print out their papers and highlight or circle punctuation marks to determine if they're both necessary and appropriate.

Additional Resources

To learn even more about proofreading, visit the following links:

• Where to Begin When Proofreading
• Editing and Proofreading
• How to Proofread
• General Strategies for Editing and Proofreading
• Revising vs. Proofreading: What's the Difference?
• College Writing Center Proofreading Tips (PDF)
• Editing and Proofreading Strategies
• Revision and Proofreading: How to Revise Your Own Writing (PDF)
• Revision Strategies

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15 Tips for Writing, Proofreading, and Editing Your College Essay

What’s covered:, our checklist for writing, proofreading, and editing your essay, where to get your college essays edited.

Your college essay is more than just a writing assignment—it’s your biggest opportunity to showcase the person behind your GPA, test scores, and extracurricular activities. In many ways, it’s the best chance you have to present yourself as a living, breathing, and thoughtful individual to the admissions committee.

Unlike test scores, which can feel impersonal, a well-crafted essay brings color to your application, offering a glimpse into your passions, personality, and potential. Whether you’re an aspiring engineer or an artist, your college essay can set you apart, making it essential that you give it your best.

1. Does the essay address the selected topic or prompt?

Focus on responding directly and thoughtfully to the prompt. If the question asks about your reasons for choosing a specific program or your future aspirations, ensure that your essay revolves around these themes. Tailor your narrative to the prompt, using personal experiences and reflections that reinforce your points.

• Respond directly to the prompt: It’s imperative that you thoughtfully craft your responses so that the exact themes in the prompt are directly addressed. Each essay has a specific prompt that serves a specific purpose, and your response should be tailored in a way that meets that objective.
• Focus: Regardless of what the prompt is about—be it personal experiences, academic achievements, or an opinion on an issue—you must keep the focus of the response on the topic of the prompt .

2. Is the college essay well organized?

An essay with a clear structure is easier to follow and is more impactful. Consider organizing your story chronologically, or use a thematic approach to convey your message. Each paragraph should transition smoothly to the next, maintaining a natural flow of ideas. A well-organized essay is not only easier for the reader to follow, but it can also aid your narrative flow. Logically structured essays can guide the reader through complex and hectic sequences of events in your essay. There are some key factors involved in good structuring:

• A strong hook: Start with a sentence or a paragraph that can grab the attention of the reader. For example, consider using a vivid description of an event to do this.
• Maintain a thematic structure: Maintaining a thematic structure involves organizing your response around a central theme, allowing you to connect diverse points of your essay into a cohesive centralized response.
• Transitioning: Each paragraph should clearly flow into the next, maintaining continuity and coherence in narrative.

3. Include supporting details, examples, and anecdotes.

Enhance your narrative with specific details, vivid examples, and engaging anecdotes. This approach brings your story to life, making it more compelling and relatable. It helps the reader visualize your experiences and understand your perspectives.

4. Show your voice and personality.

Does your personality come through? Does your essay sound like you? Since this is a reflection of you, your essay needs to show who you are.

For example, avoid using vocabulary you wouldn’t normally use—such as “utilize” in place of “use”—because you may come off as phony or disingenuous, and that won’t impress colleges.

5. Does your essay show that you’re a good candidate for admission?

Your essay should demonstrate not only your academic strengths. but also the ways in which your personal qualities align with the specific character and values of the school you’re applying to . While attributes like intelligence and collaboration are universally valued, tailor your essay to reflect aspects that are uniquely esteemed at each particular institution.

For instance, if you’re applying to Dartmouth, you might emphasize your appreciation for, and alignment with, the school’s strong sense of tradition and community. This approach shows a deeper understanding of and a genuine connection to the school, beyond its surface-level attributes.

6. Do you stick to the topic?

Your essay should focus on the topic at hand, weaving your insights, experiences, and perspectives into a cohesive narrative, rather than a disjointed list of thoughts or accomplishments. It’s important to avoid straying into irrelevant details that don’t support your main theme. Instead of simply listing achievements or experiences, integrate them into a narrative that highlights your development, insights, or learning journey.

Example with tangent:

“My interest in performing arts began when I was five. That was also the year I lost my first tooth, which set off a whole year of ‘firsts.’ My first play was The Sound of Music.”

Revised example:

“My interest in performing arts began when I was five, marked by my debut performance in ‘The Sound of Music.’ This experience was the first step in my journey of exploring and loving the stage.”

7. Align your response with the prompt.

Before finalizing your essay, revisit the prompt. Have you addressed all aspects of the question? Make sure your essay aligns with the prompt’s requirements, both in content and spirit. Familiarize yourself with common college essay archetypes, such as the Extracurricular Essay, Diversity Essay, Community Essay, “Why This Major” Essay (and a variant for those who are undecided), and “Why This College” Essay. We have specific guides for each, offering tailored advice and examples:

• Extracurricular Essay Guide
• Diversity Essay Guide
• Community Essay Guide
• “Why This Major” Essay Guide
• “Why This College” Essay Guide
• Overcoming Challenges Essay Guide
• Political/Global Issues Essay Guide

While these guides provide a framework for each archetype, respectively, remember to infuse your voice and unique experiences into your essay to stand out!

8. Do you vary your sentence structure?

Varying sentence structure, including the length of sentences, is crucial to keep your writing dynamic and engaging. A mix of short, punchy sentences and longer, more descriptive ones can create a rhythm that makes your essay more enjoyable to read. This variation helps maintain the reader’s interest and allows for more nuanced expression.

Original example with monotonous structure:

“I had been waiting for the right time to broach the topic of her health problem, which had been weighing on my mind heavily ever since I first heard about it. I had gone through something similar, and I thought sharing my experience might help.”

Revised example illustrating varied structure:

“I waited for the right moment to discuss her health. The issue had occupied my thoughts for weeks. Having faced similar challenges, I felt that sharing my experience might offer her some comfort.”

In this revised example, the sentences vary in length and structure, moving from shorter, more impactful statements to longer, more descriptive ones. This variation helps to keep the reader’s attention and allows for a more engaging narrative flow.

9. Revisit your essay after a break.

• Give yourself time: After completing a draft of your essay, step away from it for a day or two. This break can clear your mind and reduce your attachment to specific phrases or ideas.
• Fresh perspective: When you come back to your essay, you’ll likely find that you can view your work with fresh eyes. This distance can help you spot inconsistencies, unclear passages, or stylistic issues that you might have missed earlier.
• Enhanced objectivity: Distance not only aids in identifying grammatical errors or typos, but it also allows you to assess the effectiveness of your argument or narrative more objectively. Does the essay really convey what you intended? Are there better examples or stronger pieces of evidence you could use?
• Refine and polish: Use this opportunity to fine-tune your language, adjust the flow, and ensure that your essay truly reflects your voice and message.

Incorporating this tip into your writing process can significantly improve the quality and effectiveness of your college essay.

10. Choose an ideal writing environment.

By identifying and consistently utilizing an ideal writing environment, you can enhance both the enjoyment and effectiveness of your essay-writing process.

• Discover your productive spaces: Different environments can dramatically affect your ability to think and write effectively. Some people find inspiration in the quiet of a library or their room, while others thrive in the lively atmosphere of a coffee shop or park.
• Experiment with settings: If you’re unsure what works best for you, try writing in various places. Notice how each setting affects your concentration, creativity, and mood.
• Consider comfort and distractions: Make sure your chosen spot is comfortable enough for long writing sessions, but also free from distracting elements that could hinder your focus.
• Time of day matters: Pay attention to the time of day when you’re most productive. Some write best in the early morning’s tranquility, while others find their creative peak during nighttime hours.

11. Are all words spelled correctly?

While spell checkers are a helpful tool, they aren’t infallible. It’s crucial to read over your essay meticulously, possibly even aloud, to catch any spelling errors. Reading aloud can help you notice mistakes that your eyes might skip over when reading silently. Be particularly attentive to words that spellcheck might not catch, such as proper nouns, technical jargon, or homophones (e.g., “there” vs. “their”). Attention to detail in spelling reflects your care and precision, both of which are qualities that admissions committees value.

12. Do you use proper punctuation and capitalization?

Correct punctuation and capitalization are key to conveying your message clearly and professionally . A common mistake in writing is the misuse of commas, particularly in complex sentences.

Example of a misused comma:

Incorrect: “I had an epiphany, I was using commas incorrectly.”

In this example, the comma is used incorrectly to join two independent clauses. This is known as a comma splice. It creates a run-on sentence, which can confuse the reader and disrupt the flow of your writing.

Corrected versions:

Correct: “I had an epiphany: I was using commas incorrectly.”

Correct: “I had an epiphany; I was using commas incorrectly.”

Correct: “I had an epiphany—I was using commas incorrectly.”

Correct: “I had an epiphany. I was using commas incorrectly.”

The corrections separate the two clauses with more appropriate punctuation. Colons, semicolons, em dashes, and periods can all be used in this context, though periods may create awkwardly short sentences.

These punctuation choices are appropriate because the second clause explains or provides an example of the first, creating a clear and effective sentence structure. The correct use of punctuation helps maintain the clarity and coherence of your writing, ensuring that your ideas are communicated effectively.

13. Do you abide by the word count?

Staying within the word count is crucial in demonstrating your ability to communicate ideas concisely and effectively. Here are some strategies to help reduce your word count if you find yourself going over the prescribed limits:

• Eliminate repetitive statements: Avoid saying the same thing in different ways. Focus on presenting each idea clearly and concisely.
• Use adjectives judiciously: While descriptive words can add detail, using too many can make your writing feel cluttered and overwrought. Choose adjectives that add real value.
• Remove unnecessary details: If a detail doesn’t support or enhance your main point, consider cutting it. Focus on what’s essential to your narrative or argument.
• Shorten long sentences: Long, run-on sentences can be hard to follow and often contain unnecessary words. Reading your essay aloud can help you identify sentences that are too lengthy or cumbersome. If you’re out of breath before finishing a sentence, it’s likely too long.
• Ensure each sentence adds something new: Every sentence should provide new information or insight. Avoid filler or redundant sentences that don’t contribute to your overall message.

14. Proofread meticulously.

Implementing a thorough and methodical proofreading process can significantly elevate the quality of your essay, ensuring that it’s free of errors and flows smoothly.

• Detailed review: After addressing bigger structural and content issues, focus on proofreading for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. This step is crucial for polishing your essay and making sure it’s presented professionally.
• Different techniques: Employ various techniques to catch mistakes. For example, read your essay backward, starting from the last sentence and working your way to the beginning. This method can help you focus on individual sentences and words, rather than getting caught up in the content.
• Read aloud: As mentioned before, reading your essay aloud is another effective technique. Hearing the words can help identify awkward phrasing, run-on sentences, and other issues that might not be as obvious when reading silently.

15. Utilize external feedback.

While self-editing is crucial, external feedback can provide new perspectives and ideas that enhance your writing in unexpected ways. This collaborative process can help you keep your essay error-free and can also help make it resonate with a broader audience.

• Fresh perspectives: Have a trusted teacher, mentor, peer, or family member review your drafts. Each person can offer unique insights and perspectives on your essay’s content, structure, and style.
• Identify blind spots: We often become too close to our writing to see its flaws or areas that might be unclear to others. External reviewers can help identify these blind spots.
• Constructive criticism: Encourage your reviewers to provide honest, constructive feedback. While it’s important to stay true to your voice and story, be open to suggestions that could strengthen your essay.
• Diverse viewpoints: Different people will focus on different aspects of your writing. For example, a teacher might concentrate on your essay’s structure and academic tone, while a peer might provide insights into how engaging and relatable your narrative is.
• Incorporate feedback judiciously: Use the feedback to refine your essay, but remember that the final decision on any changes rests with you. It’s your story and your voice that ultimately need to come through clearly.

When it comes to refining your college essays, getting external feedback is crucial. Our free Peer Essay Review tool allows you to receive constructive criticism from other students, providing fresh perspectives that can help you see your work in a new light. This peer review process is invaluable and can help you both identify areas for improvement and gain different viewpoints on your writing.

For more tailored expert advice, consider the guidance of a CollegeVine advisor . Our advisors, experienced in the college admissions process, offer specialized reviews to enhance your essays. Their insights into what top schools are looking for can elevate your narrative, ensuring that your application stands out. Whether it’s through fine-tuning your grammar or enriching your story’s appeal, our experts’ experience and expertise can significantly increase your likelihood of admission to your dream school!

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How to Proofread Your Writing

Many students, writers, and business professionals turn in a piece of work as soon as they have the last sentence written. A few go through a revision process where they edit and look for large-scale errors. Very few actually take the final step in the revision process and actually proofread their documents. Proofreading may seem like a tedious extra step, but it is one of the main reasons why an article may be denied publication, why students get a lower grade than they deserve, or why proposals are rejected. 

In this article, you will learn exactly what proofreading is, why is it important to proofread your writing, and several tips on ‘how to’ proofreading a document. 

What does Proofread Mean?

The Latin “probare” means “to confirm by testing”. The combination with the word “read” answers the question of how to spell proofread and hints at its meaning. Similar to the scientific concept of proving something by testing it, proofreading is essentially testing a document to make sure that it is correct. Proofreading is the last stage of the review process and the four things to look for when proofreading are checking for spelling errors, typographical errors, grammatical errors, formatting issues, and other small problems.

There are different kinds of proofreading for different types of documents. Technical or legal documents need to be proofread in a specific, more thorough way than articles or homework assignments. Depending on the type of document proofreading can take anywhere from half an hour to several hours and in some cases, days.  

What is the Difference Between Editing and Proofreading?

Even though editing and proofreading are used interchangeably there is a significant difference between the two. While both are part of the review process, proofreading is the final step whereas editing refers to the first few steps. Generally speaking, these are the steps during revision:

• Content editing
• Line editing
• Copy editing
• Proofreading

Any changes you make after the completion of your first draft can be considered editing.

Content editing is usually the first thing you do at the end of a first draft. This involves moving around large sections of texts, deleting or replacing entire paragraphs, and generally changing the contents of the writing. 

Line editing refers to changes made to specific paragraphs. This includes changing specific words to make the tone of the piece more consistent, changing sentences and restructuring paragraphs to improve the flow of the writing, and generally changing the language to improve the piece.

Copy editing refers to changes made to specific sentences. This includes changing words to correct grammar, match the style of the overall article, and improve the clarity of each sentence. The goal is not to change the content of a sentence but to make sentences more clear.

Proofreading is the final stage of the revision process. It includes going over the paper slowly and carefully to check for any minor but important mistakes in spelling, formatting, grammar, etc.

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How to Proofread Professionally

Whether you want to know how to proofread a document for work, how to proofread an essay for school, or just how to proofread your own writing, these tips will help you polish any kind of writing.

Be careful with spell checkers

Spell checkers can do a cursory job of making sure that your spelling is okay, but most spell checkers have a limited in-built dictionary and might not be able to check some words. Spell checkers often make mistakes between words that are similar but have different meanings like flower and flour. 

Be careful with grammar checkers

Grammar checking requires a higher level of analysis than spell checking so the same issues that happen with spell checkers are magnified with grammar checkers. It is still worthwhile to run a piece of writing through an automated grammar checker but you have to go over the results carefully yourself.

Read out loud

Reading a paper out loud slowly word by word ensures that you pay attention to each word as well as punctuation. If a sentence sounds wrong, there may be mistakes in the word choice disrupting flow that you can easily correct. Reading out loud is particularly useful for identifying run-on sentences as well as many other kinds of errors.

Check for one kind of mistake at a time

Trying to check for every kind of error at once can get overwhelming especially if the document has a lot of mistakes or is very technical. Check for one type of mistake at a time and work down a list.

Print it out

A hard copy allows you to see the piece in a different format which is helpful when proofreading.  The freedom to write on the paper any way you want and highlight mistakes is also beneficial. 

Circle every punctuation mark

Punctuation is one of the most complicated mistakes to catch. Every time you come across a punctuation mark, circle it and ask yourself if it is correct. This will make sure that you don't miss any incorrect punctuation marks as well as force you to analyze each one.

Proofread backwards

Start at the end of the paper and proofread each sentence or paragraph working backwards.  This forces you to focus only on small sections at a time rather than be distracted by the overall meaning of the paper. 

Use a straight edge

Use a piece of paper or anything with a straight edge to underline each sentence as you go over it. This helps drive attention to just the sentence you are focusing on and removes extra text from your field of vision. 

Take a break

If you are proofreading your own writing then it is important to take a break before proofreading.  This helps view the paper differently when going over it. If you know the paper too well, you may scan over sentences more quickly than you should because you think it is correct but it actually has errors. 

Work in short bursts

Because proofreading requires a lot of attention, it can be helpful to proofread for 15 minutes at a time with 5-minute breaks in between rounds of proofreading. 

Make sure you have gone through a few rounds of editing before you sit down to proofread.  Proofreading before editing just makes you waste time.

Look things up

If you're not sure about the spelling of a word or about punctuation even if you run it through a spell-checker or grammar checker, run a quick Google search on the proper spelling or punctuation usage. This will help you get better at proofreading in the future as you understand and remember more grammatical rules.

Proofread when you are the most alert

Proofreading requires a lot of attention to detail and should be done when you are at your best. Don't proofread if you are tired, hungry, or distracted. If you are a morning person, proofread in the morning, if you are an evening person, proofread at night.

Stay away from distractions

As mentioned above proofreading requires a lot of attention to detail so don't proofread with the TV on or around people that may be a distraction.

Ask someone to read it out loud

By having someone else read the writing out loud, you can focus just on how things sound and catch more errors. This also has the added benefit of having somebody else go over the writing.

Know yourself

If there are certain kinds of mistakes that you tend to make often, make sure you check for them specifically. Learning to write is a process and checking for specific types of mistakes will make you better at it overall in the future.

Ask someone else to proofread

It is difficult to be objective, especially if it is your own writing. After you have proofread the document, ask someone else to go over it as well. They will give you different kinds of feedback and might catch mistakes that you missed.

Change the look

Changing the formatting of the document by altering font sizes or using different colors can make you think of the text in a new way, helping get distance and making you more unbiased. 

Use the search and replace function

Use the search and replace function on Word to quickly scan a document for common errors that you might make. This is particularly useful when the writing contains many proper nouns or words with rare spellings.

Check language style

It is easy to get confused by the different spellings between British and American English especially if you are a non-native speaker, so make sure you pay attention and stay consistent in your writing.

Check citations

Make sure you are following the correct citation style and the format of your in-text citations is correct. Also, check that every piece of information that needs to be cited is correctly cited. 

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After reading this article, you should now know how to proofread better! The key things to remember are to get some distance from the writing, find ways of looking at the material in a new light, being in the right state of mind, and devoting enough time.

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Finding Common Errors

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Proofreading is primarily about searching your writing for errors, both grammatical and typographical, before submitting your paper for an audience (a teacher, a publisher, etc.). Use this resource to help you find and fix common errors.

Here are some common proofreading issues that come up for many writers. For grammatical or spelling errors, try underlining or highlighting words that often trip you up. On a sentence level, take note of which errors you make frequently. Also make note of common sentence errors you have such as run-on sentences, comma splices, or sentence fragments—this will help you proofread more efficiently in the future.

• Do not solely rely on your computer's spell-check—it will not get everything!
• Trace a pencil carefully under each line of text to see words individually.
• Be especially careful of words that have tricky letter combinations, like "ei/ie.”
• Take special care of homonyms like your/you're, to/too/two, and there/their/they're, as spell check will not recognize these as errors.

Left-out and doubled words

Read the paper slowly aloud to make sure you haven't missed or repeated any words. Also, try reading your paper one sentence at a time in reverse—this will enable you to focus on the individual sentences.

Sentence Fragments

Sentence fragments are sections of a sentence that are not grammatically whole sentences. For example, “Ate a sandwich” is a sentence fragment because it lacks a subject.

Make sure each sentence has a subject:

• “Looked at the OWL website.” is a sentence fragment without a subject.
• “The students looked at the OWL website.” Adding the subject “students” makes it a complete sentence.

Make sure each sentence has a complete verb.

• “They trying to improve their writing skills.” is an incomplete sentence because “trying” is an incomplete verb.
• “They were trying to improve their writing skills.” In this sentence, “were” is necessary to make “trying” a complete verb.

See that each sentence has an independent clause. Remember that a dependent clause cannot stand on its own. In the following examples, green highlighting indicates dependent clauses while yellow indicates independent clauses.

• “ Which is why the students read all of the handouts carefully .” This is a dependent clause that needs an independent clause. As of right now, it is a sentence fragment.
• “ Students knew they were going to be tested on the handouts, which is why they read all of the handouts carefully .” The first part of the sentence, “Students knew they were going to be tested,” is an independent clause. Pairing it with a dependent clause makes this example a complete sentence.

Run-on Sentences

• Review each sentence to see whether it contains more than one independent clause.
• If there is more than one independent clause, check to make sure the clauses are separated by the appropriate punctuation.
• Sometimes, it is just as effective (or even more so) to simply break the sentence into two separate sentences instead of including punctuation to separate the clauses.
• Run on: “ I have to write a research paper for my class about extreme sports all I know about the subject is that I'm interested in it. ” These are two independent clauses without any punctuation or conjunctions separating the two.
• Edited version: " I have to write a research paper for my class about extreme sports, and all I know about the subject is that I'm interested in it ." The two highlighted portions are independent clauses. They are connected by the appropriate conjunction “and,” and a comma.
• Another edited version: “ I have to write a research paper for my class about extreme sports. All I know about the subject is that I'm interested in it .” In this case, these two independent clauses are separated into individual sentences separated by a period and capitalization.

Comma Splices

• Look closely at sentences that have commas.
• See if the sentence contains two independent clauses. Independent clauses are complete sentences.
• If there are two independent clauses, they should be connected with a comma and a conjunction (and, but, for, or, so, yet, nor). Commas are not needed for some subordinating conjunctions (because, for, since, while, etc.) because these conjunctions are used to combine dependent and independent clauses.
• Another option is to take out the comma and insert a semicolon instead.
• Comma Splice: “ I would like to write my paper about basketball , it's a topic I can talk about at length .” The highlighted portions are independent clauses. A comma alone is not enough to connect them.
• Edited version: “ I would like to write my paper about basketball because it's a topic I can talk about at length .” Here, the yellow highlighted portion is an independent clause while the green highlighted portion is a dependent clause. The subordinating conjunction “because” connects these two clauses.
• Edited version, using a semicolon: “ I would like to write my paper about basketball ; it’s a topic I can talk about at length .” Here, a semicolon connects two similar independent clauses.

Subject/Verb Agreement

• Find the subject of each sentence.
• Find the verb that goes with the subject.
• The subject and verb should match in number, meaning that if the subject is plural, the verb should be as well.
• An easy way to do this is to underline all subjects. Then, circle or highlight the verbs one at a time and see if they match.
• Incorrect subject verb agreement: “ Students at the university level usually is very busy.” Here, the subject “students” is plural, and the verb “is” is singular, so they don’t match.
• Edited version: “ Students at the university level usually are very busy.” “Are” is a plural verb that matches the plural noun, “students.”

Mixed Construction

Read through your sentences carefully to make sure that they do not start with one sentence structure and shift to another. A sentence that does this is called a mixed construction.

• “ Since I have a lot of work to do is why I can't go out tonight .” Both green highlighted sections of the sentence are dependent clauses. Two dependent clauses do not make a complete sentence.
• Edited version: “ Since I have a lot of work to do , I can't go out tonight .” The green highlighted portion is a dependent clause while the yellow is an independent clause. Thus, this example is a complete sentence.

Parallelism

Look through your paper for series of items, usually separated by commas. Also, make sure these items are in parallel form, meaning they all use a similar form.

• Example: “Being a good friend involves listening , to be considerate, and that you know how to have fun.” In this example, “listening” is in present tense, “to be” is in the infinitive form, and “that you know how to have fun” is a sentence fragment. These items in the series do not match up.
• Edited version: “Being a good friend involves listening , being considerate, and having fun.” In this example, “listening,” “being,” and “having” are all in the present continuous (-ing endings) tense. They are in parallel form.

Pronoun Reference/Agreement

• Skim your paper, searching for pronouns.
• Search for the noun that the pronoun replaces.
• If you can't find any nouns, insert one beforehand or change the pronoun to a noun.
• If you can find a noun, be sure it agrees in number and person with your pronoun.
• “ Sam had three waffles for breakfast. He wasn’t hungry again until lunch.” Here, it is clear that Sam is the “he” referred to in the second sentence. Thus, the singular third person pronoun, “he,” matches with Sam.
• “ Teresa and Ariel walked the dog. The dog bit her .” In this case, it is unclear who the dog bit because the pronoun, “her,” could refer to either Teresa or Ariel.
• “ Teresa and Ariel walked the dog. Later, it bit them .” Here, the third person plural pronoun, “them,” matches the nouns that precede it. It’s clear that the dog bit both people.
• “Teresa and Ariel walked the dog. Teresa unhooked the leash, and the dog bit her .” In these sentences, it is assumed that Teresa is the “her” in the second sentence because her name directly precedes the singular pronoun, “her.”

Apostrophes

• Skim your paper, stopping only at those words which end in "s." If the "s" is used to indicate possession, there should be an apostrophe, as in “Mary's book.”
• Look over the contractions, like “you're” for “you are,” “it's” for “it is,” etc. Each of these should include an apostrophe.
• Remember that apostrophes are not used to make words plural. When making a word plural, only an "s" is added, not an apostrophe and an "s."
• “ It’s a good day for a walk.” This sentence is correct because “it’s” can be replaced with “it is.”
• “A bird nests on that tree. See its eggs?” In this case, “its” is a pronoun describing the noun, “bird.” Because it is a pronoun, no apostrophe is needed.
• “Classes are cancelled today” is a correct sentence whereas “Class’s are cancelled today” is incorrect because the plural form of class simply adds an “-es” to the end of the word.
• “ Sandra’s markers don’t work.” Here, Sandra needs an apostrophe because the noun is a possessive one. The apostrophe tells the reader that Sandra owns the markers.