Proofreading is overwhelming. No matter the length of your text, it can be difficult to know where to start. Do you just read it through? Or maybe jump around and check for important sections? I’d suggest a simple place to start. Look for all your noun/verb combinations. As a Virginia copy writer and web content editor, I’m often correcting this for my clients.
Grammar Basics
Every sentence needs a noun and a verb (even if there is an implied imperative you). As you check over your text, simply start by finding all the nouns and verbs within your sentences. This forces you to find and correct basic grammar, such as:
- Subject/verb agreement
- Punctuation issues (like those pesky semicolons)
- Passive Voice
- Dangling Modifiers
- Possessive nouns
When you read with this simple task in mind, the surrounding grammatical issues start to become more apparent. It also forces you to consider the readability of your sentence. If you can’t find the subject and action easily, no one else can.
Checking for Readability
Even if you’re not trying to reach a certain readability score, your writing should still be easy to follow. As you move from sentence to sentence, finding the noun and verb, you’ll also have a chance to consider whether your sentences follow a logical flow.
Do your ideas make sense as the reader moved from sentence to sentence? If not, you might need to move around your statements for clarity. In the end, checking your sentences for nouns and verbs improves your writing.
Writing Style Tips
If you enjoyed this post, you’ll appreciate my other articles about writing and communication. As a Virginia copy writer often write about communication, psychology, and other creative topics. Follow me on Facebook or Instagram to be the first to know when new content drops.
