Notes

Outline

Oregon State Bar Proofreading, Editing and Revising Customized & Workplace Training Portland Community College Facilitated by George Knox

Overview of Workshop Modules Week 1 - Proofreading Week 2 - Business Grammar Week 3 – Spelling & Punctuation Week 4 – Organization & Style Week 5 – Revising & Editing

Perception Studies show that we all have preferred “perceptual styles” Speaker’s preferences may be different than audience’s Effective perception combines styles

Perceptual Styles (Adapted from Dunn and Dunn Learning Styles Model)

Perceptual Styles (Cont.) Perceptual styles are only preferences Most people utilize more than one style Most people can learn to use different styles SO Recognize your preference, but learn to use the style(s) that work best for each situation

Document Development P.A.T. Purpose (Goals, Requirements) Audience (Goals, Requirements) Technique (Content, Format, Delivery) Purpose and Audience Determine Technique!

Proofreading Purpose: Locate and mark errors and needed changes in a document. Approach w/ “fresh eyes” Know why you are proofreading Proof for the audience Mark problems; don’t fix them Look for needed changes only Read both silently and aloud Proofread in “chunks” Proof multiple times

Proofreading for Revision Purpose: Check content and order for clarification or restatement Read for overview Determine purpose of the document Find the main point or thesis Find the evidence or details Check paragraph order and “weight” Proof paragraphs for relevance and flow Repeat as necessary

Proofreading for Editing Purpose: Find sentence-level problems and mechanical errors Proofread at least twice Check your problem areas first Find topic sentences before supports Ensure 1 topic sentence per paragraph Check spelling separate from grammar Use but don’t trust writing assistants

Proofreading Tips Accept that most drafts are not perfect Plan/schedule for proofreading Proof electronically AND hard copy Proofread multiple times Read your document aloud Have someone else proofread Practice proofreading AND …

Proofreading Tips (Cont.) Organize your proofreading: Proof in sections.  Complete a section before moving on. Proof for revision first.  Make revisions.  Then proof for editing. Proof general to specific (Paragraph – Sentence – Word – Punctuation) Read backwards (especially for editing)