[Bups-dis] How do you proof read?

[Amanda Montgomery]

How you proof reading definately depends on how you've written the
essay. If I really didn't like something about a final essay after
proof-reading I think I'd be tempted to rewrite from scratch as Andrew
suggested since I do a lot of early edits and just use proof reading for
fine-tuning. Have to agree with Duncan on the writing point- my
handwriting is worse than my GP's and I try to avoid handwriting even at
the planning stage. For essays I usually spend most of the time on
research then:

1) Write a list of points to be included, roughly in order, and draft a
conclusion
2) Write a draft essay (writing points in the condensed form that comes
from research) half the length of the final word limit.
3) Print this off sit back and identify the different threads of the
argument. Cut out the paragraphs, swap sections about, add information
points etc. (generally create a mess of paper) and line it up till the
structure is coherent and works towards the conclusion. Add a note of
where to insert the quotes and references. 
4) Rewrite this plan again and read over it. Plan and it's now about 2/3
length of word count.
5) Write this out in essay format, tag on an introduction and print out.

I don't know if others focus on the planning like this (I know others
who swear by mind maps although I've never really tried them myself),
but I find it much easier to build a decent essay than try to correct
bits of it later. It usually takes up a fair bit of time, after which
writing it out the final thing is pretty easy and I think it reads a bit
more flowingly. Once I've printed it I do what Nick was talking about,
leave it out for a night and read it again the next day before
correcting and reprinting it, but mostly just to identify spelling,
grammar and minor wording of points to make them clearer in the final
version. Then I hand it in within a day or two at the most or else I'll
tweak and pull it out of existence.