To proof or not to proof, that is the question…here is the answer.

What is the question?

If you are anything like me and note an error while reading (instantly), it will drive you mad. To me, they are glaring and impossible to ignore, they also remove a little bit of the credibility of the scribe. Now, I might be a little particular, some may even say anal, about correct grammar and good spelling etc. but I’m certainly not the only one.

Proofreading needs to be exact because it is the last thing you do before publishing or handing work in. Poor or inconsistent grammar and spelling can make work difficult to read, often to a point where people won’t even be bothered reading it to the end. For students and businesses, good grammar, punctuation and spelling is vital. It says a great deal about where it is coming from. The difference between good, accurate work can be a whole grade and a much more successful business; spelling, punctuation or grammatical faults or content randomness in material that is read by clients or the public reflects poorly on an organisation or prevents the achievement of a high score in your upcoming assignment.

Proofreading is more than catching those misspelled words. It is a double checking process following editing, which is a heavier practice of cleaning up the big stuff. The proofread is the polish making it gleam. But the main reason to proofread is to ensure that you are communicating your message clearly. It should be well-written in terms of organisation and appearance and it should be free of errors in terms of spelling, vocabulary, punctuation, grammar, and English usage.

A document which does not clearly present its message is a valueless paper.