Tips for proofreading and catching major errors:

  • Review the major error handout to make sure you understand the most significant problems you’re looking for.  Also, take a look at the editing section on pp. 60-71 of Bedford.

  • Read the essay out loud with a pencil in your hand and mark awkward sections.

  • Read the draft backwards at both the word level (to catch spelling errors) and the sentence level (to catch grammatical errors).

  • Read the draft through several times with at least an hour in between readings.

  • If you’re using a word processor, you’re more likely to catch errors reading from a hard copy than if just reading from the screen.

  • If you’re using a word processor, use the spell-checker, but remember that it won’t catch misspellings like from/form, two and to.

  • Lightly mark sentences that you’re unsure of, and ask me about them in class next time.

Students who don't pass this essay generally haven’t spent enough time proofreading.

See Portfolio/Format Guidelines on the main assignments page for guidance on what to include in your portfolio and how to format your essay. 

  • Common Content Problems:  One common problem with this assignment is that students fail to demonstrate that their phenomenon or trend exists; they just just assume it does.  Don't forget to do this in your background/introduction section.  Another common problem is that students do not ARGUE that that their causes are indeed causes--they don't EXPLAIN how their causes lead to the phenomenon or trend. Another common problem is that students do not anticipate counterarguments and acknowledge, accommodate, or refute them. 

  • Citation problems:  If you have concerns about integrating sources properly, chapters 55 and 56 are very helpful.  You may also visit Diana Hacker's web site on documentation for further assistance.  If you have any fears that you may be plagiarizing, definitely talk to me before you submit the paper. 

  • General Help: Use the "Revising" and the "Editing & Proofreading" sections in "The Guide to Writing" at the back of the chapter to help solve problems with your draft--the suggestions are VERY useful. 

The Mellinger Learning Center is open for writing assistance from 3-5 Monday-Thursday, and 7-10 Sunday-Thursday.  I strongly encourage you to get help from a Writing Fellow at any stage in the writing process.