Five common proofreading strategies are reading aloud, reverse reading, using a ruler or finger to follow along, reading in chunks, and taking breaks.
Reading aloud can help you to catch errors that you might not otherwise notice. This strategy is particularly helpful for catching incorrect word choices, since hearing the words out loud can help you to notice if they don’t sound quite right.
Reverse reading, or reading from the end of the document to the beginning, can also be helpful for catching errors. This strategy can help you to catch errors that you might not otherwise notice, since you’re reading the text in a different way than you’re used to.
Using a ruler or your finger to follow along can help you to focus on each word individually and catch any errors that you might otherwise gloss over. This strategy is particularly helpful for catching typos.
Reading in chunks, or reading a few sentences at a time, can also be helpful for catching errors. This strategy can help you to focus on each sentence individually and catch any errors that you might otherwise gloss over.
Finally, taking breaks can also be helpful for proofreading. This strategy can help you to avoid getting too tired and missing errors. After proofreading for a while, take a break for a few minutes to clear your head before proofreading again.