proofreading your papers

Category: Cram Session

Post 1 by HauntedReverie (doing the bad mango) on Tuesday, 21-Apr-2009 12:15:07

So I was wondering, if a sighted person proofreads your paper, how are they supposed to let you know what they've marked? I have an english paper and I need someone to grammar check it for me and also check my MLA citations. It's on the computer of course. I don't suppose someone on the zone wants to look over it for me... my gratitude would be boundless.
Where are twkav Tyler and Cousin cap Julia when you need them?

Post 2 by DixieGirl (I can't call it a day til I enter the zone BBS) on Tuesday, 21-Apr-2009 13:52:45

Have them use the comments section...
Shanda

Post 3 by HauntedReverie (doing the bad mango) on Tuesday, 21-Apr-2009 17:46:09

it's been my luck that that works 50 percent of the time.

Post 4 by Brooke (I just keep on posting!) on Tuesday, 21-Apr-2009 22:28:40

I did proofreading as a job for a few years, so I can proofread it if you want. I'll PM you my email address.

Post 5 by ArtRock1224 (move over school!) on Wednesday, 22-Apr-2009 3:21:13

Most comments can simply be typed in a separate document, with indications of the specific areas that need changes. If there are sentences in paragraph four that need revision, someone could open a new document, paste the sentences that need changes, and then directly below that, make notes so you know exactly "where" to make changes. In the same way, If sentence four in paragraph six needs work, someone would just note that sentence four in paragraph six needs to be changed, or that the first sentence in paragraph three needs to be capitalized, or that entries two and three on your works cited page are not listed with a proper hanging indent, or that you have a spelling error in paragraph seven. Basically, as long as the reader notes where changes need to be made, you can use a variety of alternative methods.

Of course, this requires that a sighted reader actually types such comments out for you, but such is life. I find that making changes to an already existing document such as adding comments, or using footnotes or endnotes only complicates the paper and gives me a headache.

Post 6 by DixieGirl (I can't call it a day til I enter the zone BBS) on Wednesday, 22-Apr-2009 9:58:52

Artrock 1224, the way you explained is pretty much the way I've always had it done and like you find easiest, but who knows what others have or haven't tried, so.... Anyway, guess it's good you made that suggestion because it is the best way.
Take care,
Shanda

Post 7 by Sword of Sapphire (Whether you agree with my opinion or not, you're still gonna read it!) on Thursday, 23-Apr-2009 3:17:08

ArtRock1224, you couldn't have said it any better. That's exactly how I have edited other people's paper, just by naming the paragraph and sentence number. And it worked out just fine.

Post 8 by Emerald-Hourglass (Account disabled) on Friday, 24-Apr-2009 8:39:50

yup like bryce said, so far i haven't had a problem with that, but you could always ask people like cris and brooke to proofread for you.

Post 9 by Librated dilapidation (Zone BBS Addict) on Friday, 24-Apr-2009 16:47:41

For works of fiction I have found it extremely helpful to e-mail my draft to someone. They can put their suggestions in parentheses and that has usually worked for me. The same is helpful for works cited and reference pages.

Post 10 by Miss Gorgeous (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Friday, 01-May-2009 18:28:08

I agree with poster 5 well said. Or let your screen reader read it to you, and if you hear any error pause the screen reader, and change it. Reading your paper by the use of a screen reader will help you to understand the structure of your paper: the way its organized. It can also clarify the content of your paper. Those previous ideas will work as well. Good luck with your paper.

Post 11 by Siriusly Severus (The ESTJ 1w9 3w4 6w7 The Taskmaste) on Sunday, 10-May-2009 3:56:43

I edit not for grammatical changes, but I edit for other purposes such as smoothness, word choice, structure, effectiveness, and clarity. I can edit for you, just post here again or Private message me.