The post What Is AI Editing? appeared first on Proofed.
]]>Keep reading to learn all about AI editing and how to make your content more impactful.
1. Determine the Target Audience
AI writing tools are typically programmed to maintain a somewhat formal, neutral tone. Depending on your target audience, you may have to edit the vocabulary or sentence structure to reflect your desired tone and voice. For example, if you want the writing to sound more casual, add more informal elements, such as contractions, exclamation marks, and slang. You can also replace overly complex terminology or jargon with more widely accessible and common words and phrases that appeal to your target audience. If you’re aiming to entertain your audience using a comical tone, you’ll need to (heavily) edit the content to include humorous aspects, such as witty observations and jokes, because AI-generated responses are typically dry and factual.
2. Consult a Style Guide
If you’re working with a style guide, you’ll need to review and edit the AI content to reflect the guide’s specific stipulations. For example, style guides will have different standard rules in areas such as grammar, punctuation, and spelling (e.g., how to capitalize job titles or when to use a serial comma). Similarly, if you’re writing to a specific dialect, such as UK English or Australian English, you’ll need to edit the content to reflect those particular spelling and punctuation standards. You may also need to localize the content to reflect your target audience (e.g., eliminating or editing regional idioms).
3. Check for Consistency
When editing AI content, always check for consistency within the response. For example, look out for an abrupt shift in tone or a change in terminology. The content could start out using complex or technical jargon and suddenly switch to using much more informal language. Depending on your intended audience, you may have to edit portions of the content to reflect your desired tone.
Also keep an eye out for surface-level consistency issues, such as spelling discrepancies or irregular tense usage.
4. Ensure That the Writing Flows Smoothly
AI such as ChatGPT tends to list responses that address your query matter-of-factly, meaning if you intend to use the content, you may need to edit it to improve the flow of the text. For example, if the content shifts awkwardly from one topic to the next, you can add transitional words or phrases, such as however, finally, or in addition, to smooth it out. You can also introduce variety into the writing by breaking up lengthy sentences or using subordinating conjunctions to combine short sentences.
5. Eliminate Repetition
AI content can be very formulaic and repetitive, qualities that aren’t necessary and can lead to somewhat bland reading. Sometimes less is more – so if you notice the text is repeating the same information (even if it’s phrasing similar passages in slightly different ways), eliminate the repetition or combine the redundant sentences.
6. Verify Factual Information
AI writing tools pull existing information from the internet to form responses, so it’s important to fact-check thoroughly and verify the content by measuring it against reliable sources. This task includes confirming dates (e.g., year ranges), names, statistics, and quotes, as well as ensuring the content isn’t presenting a biased or incomplete perspective on a topic.
7. Check for Errors
AI-generated content will always need a thorough proofread to check for misspellings, incorrect word usage, misplaced modifiers, errors in grammar and punctuation, and so on.
If you want to save the time and energy it takes to give your AI content a comprehensive edit and proofread, Proofed’s AI editing services can be the fresh pair of eyes you need to take the text to the next level. We’ll ensure it’s polished, error-free, and ready to be published. Submit your free sample to get started today!
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]]>The post Bear With Me or Bare With Me? Idiom Tips appeared first on Proofed.
]]>This idiom trips up many people. To understand why it can be confusing, and to understand the differences between the words bear and bare – read on.
Bear or Bare?
These two words are homophones, meaning they sound the same when spoken, but have different spellings and definitions.
Bear Definition
In its noun form, it refers to the species of fluffy animal (e.g., The bear slept all winter.)
As a verb, it has several meanings:
1. Hold or support (The beams could bear up to 1 ton.)
2. Withstand or tolerate (I can’t bear people who chew with their mouth open.)
3. Bring forth (To bear a child.)
4. Display a mark (The document bears her signature.)
5. Give testimony (“I will bear witness to the proceedings.”)
6. Turn in a specific direction (Bear left at the end of the road.)
When we use the idiom bear with me, we are using the word bear as a verb to mean withstand or tolerate.
Bare Definition
Bare, on the other hand, is an adjective or a verb.
As an adjective, it means uncovered or naked (e.g., His head was bare.) As a verb, it means to uncover (e.g., He bared his head.)
If you’d like more information about how to use these words, you can read our blog on bare vs. bear.
What Does Bare With Me Mean?
Bare with me is a mistake when trying to write the correct version, which is understandable given how similar the two words sound. Writer’s Room has some great examples of other ways you can say bear with me.
Conclusion
Idioms can be tricky, especially when they use words that have multiple spellings and meanings. The correct spelling of this idiom is bear, and it’s used when someone is asking you to be patient with them.
Do you need help with the idioms in your writing? Reach out to our team of experts who can help you choose the correct idiom. When you’re ready, see our editing services.
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]]>The post How to Humanize AI-Generated Text appeared first on Proofed.
]]>So, if you want to better implement the content produced by writing tools, keep reading for strategies on how to improve upon and humanize AI-generated content.
What Is AI-Generated Content?
AI-generated content is any text produced with the assistance of AI writing technology. These tools use machine learning algorithms to analyze vast amounts of data and generate coherent and relevant content in response to users’ inquiries.
While AI-generated content has shown incredible potential and opened up new possibilities in various fields, it also raises ethical concerns, especially regarding misinformation. And since it’s written by a machine, the content usually needs a thorough edit for style and tone before it’s ready for publication.
Next, let’s review specific ways you can edit and add to machine-generated content so that it appeals to a wider audience.
Incorporate Natural Language
Think about how people naturally communicate in everyday speech and incorporate these elements into AI-generated text:
● Use contractions or informal language where appropriate.
● Use a mix of long and short sentences and vary the sentence structure.
● Avoid unnecessarily technical language or complex terminology.
● Draw on devices like analogies, metaphors, and idioms to emphasize your points and to relate to your audience.
● Avoid excessive use of filler words like additionally, moreover, and in conclusion.
● Eliminate repetition or redundant information.
To encourage participation and create a more conversational interaction, you can also include interactive elements in the content, such as questions or requests for feedback.
Reference Current Events
Topical references to pop culture or current events can provide context for your readers and make AI writing more relatable. If you do this, however, be mindful of your audience’s demographics (e.g., age, location, cultural background) to avoid confusion or potential misunderstandings.
Add Personality to Your Writing
One thing that technology can’t mimic is personality. Since AI-generated writing can sound somewhat monotone and robotic, give it life with a vibrant tone of voice. Depending on the type of writing and target audience, that voice could be funny, witty, friendly, professional, serious, etc. Whatever tone you use, try to implement it consistently, as an unreliable or inappropriate tone can make your writing seem unfocused and erratic.
Use Storytelling Techniques
AI tools produce straightforward answers to user input; they don’t elaborate on a subject or offer a unique perspective. To help illustrate the points produced by AI, humanize the content by incorporating narrative and storytelling elements, such as anecdotes or accounts of real-life events. And, when suitable, give your unique opinion or perspective on a topic to help build a connection with your audience.
Use the Active Voice
Use the active voice rather than the passive voice whenever possible. The active voice has a more clear, direct, and immediate tone and tends to be more engaging than the passive voice. It can also evoke stronger emotions in your readers. Attributing actions to specific subjects, rather than creating distance between subjects and their actions, humanizes the text and makes it easier for readers to empathize with the ideas presented.
Use Humor When Appropriate
Nothing distinguishes human writers from robots more than a subtle pun or nuanced, witty observation. While including humor in AI-generated writing can add a bit of an edge in certain contexts, be mindful of using it excessively or causing offense. For example, it’s probably fine to add a well-placed joke to a partially AI-generated blog post on your personal website, but you might want to think twice before using humor in a formal business proposal.
Work in harmony with machines to produce relatable, natural-sounding content.
Expert Proofreading and Editing Services
If you want to incorporate AI-generated content into your writing process but want to avoid sounding robotic or unnatural, our editors can help. Our editing teams can humanize AI writing while sticking to your preferred style guide and desired tone of voice.
Learn more about our AI-generated content editing services, or send in your free sample of less than 500 words today and see for yourself.
If you’re a business needing AI-content humanizing services, schedule a call with us today so we can put together the perfect editing plan for your needs.
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]]>The post Word Choice: Although vs Even Though appeared first on Proofed.
]]>Using although over even though (or vice versa) can subtly alter the meaning of what you say or write. To avoid accidentally causing offense, you should understand the distinction. Let’s take a closer look.
What Does Although Mean?
To emphasize the difficulty although and even though present, one definition of although that the Merriam-Webster dictionary gives is “even though,” which essentially means “in spite of the fact that.”
Where the dictionary definition of a word is of little or no help, we can look at a few examples of the way we use the word to illustrate how it may be understood.
Generally speaking, we use although, a subordinating conjunction, when contrasting two ideas or situations to show that one is surprising or to indicate a preference or concession:
Erin was delighted with the signed photo of Paul McCartney although she would have preferred one of George Harrison.
Although I like my Ford Fiesta, I have always wanted a Mini.
What Does Even Though Mean?
We often use even as an intensifier, so you may not be surprised that Merriam-Webster’s definition of even though is “a stronger way to say though or although.” In common with although, even though acts as a subordinating conjunction.
As you might expect from the definition, we use even though to contrast two ideas or situations, but this time with a stronger emphasis on the difference between the two.
And this is where you need to be careful. The extra emphasis on the difference can change an expression of preference into a complaint:
Even though I have wanted a Mini since I was five, I have never driven one.
Having extra emphasis on the difference can, however, also have the opposite effect. Imagine someone said this to you:
Without as much emphasis on the difference between the ideas in the above clauses, you might be left feeling deflated. Some appreciation for the effort has been expressed, but you might be wondering whether you shouldn’t have bothered. You might even think you were in trouble.
However, you may feel differently if someone said this instead:
With greater emphasis on the difference between the ideas, it’s much easier to understand this statement as praise.
Summary: Although or Even Though?
● Both the word although and the idiom even though mean essentially the same thing – “in spite of the fact that.”
● You can use either one to contrast two ideas or situations.
● We generally use although to express a preference or concession – perhaps think of getting an A for effort.
● We generally use even though to place emphasis on the difference between ideas or situations – perhaps think of the V in even standing for versus, emphasizing opposing teams.
Even though the word and the phrase have pretty much the same dictionary definition, they can subtly change the interpretation of a sentence (see what we did there?). Armed with a better understanding of this distinction, you can make sure that your meaning is clear.
You can find further advice on vocabulary in the writing tips word choice section of our blog. And if you would still like some help with your terminology, we have a team of experts available 24/7. You can upload a free sample of your work to try out this service.
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]]>The post Idiom Tips: Something to the effect of… appeared first on Proofed.
]]>What Is an Idiom?
First, it’s helpful to understand what an idiom is. It’s a phrase that has an accepted meaning attached to it. Usually, if taken literally, the words wouldn’t make sense in their context or have a logical meaning.
For example, the phrase up in the air means that something’s undecided or likely to change:
If you didn’t know the meaning of the idiom up in the air, you might picture something literally floating in the air – which wouldn’t make sense.
Something to the effect of…
The phrase something to the effect of means that you communicated something that has roughly the same meaning as something else but you used different words. If this sounds a bit vague, a few examples might help:
“Did they say yes?” “Well, words to that effect, yes.”
Stunned, I muttered something to the effect of “Don’t worry about it.”
In each of these examples, a phrase or idea is expressed secondhand or in generalized terms. The words used may not be exactly the same as the original ones, but a similar meaning is conveyed.
When to Use Something to the effect of…
This popular idiom has a pretty specific use. If you want to pass along a message or communicate something that has already been written or spoken but you don’t want to use the exact words, you can summarize the message and use the something to that effect idiom to indicate that your version is a rough translation of the original.
This expression can come in handy if the original wording was too lengthy or if you don’t remember the exact words. You can also use it to generalize something. For example:
Here, the speaker isn’t referring to a specific response, but they use something to that effect to generalize how people commonly react to their story.
Is It to the effect or to the affect?
In English, effect and affect often get mixed up, and this confusion extends to the to the effect idiom! The words effect and affect sound the same and have similar meanings, so it’s easy to get them confused.
It can help to remember that, usually, effect is a noun and affect is a verb. An effect is the impact or result of something:
To affect something means to have an impact or influence on it:
In our idiom, effect is correct. Essentially, when you say something is to the effect of something else, you’re saying that it has the same end result, or effect, as something else. You’re just saying it with different words.
Summary: Something to the effect of…
We hope you have a better idea of what something to the effect of means and how to use it. Using this phrase will get easier with practice, so we hope you try it out!
If you use it – or any other English idioms – in your writing, we’d love to read it. Our expert editors can make sure you use idioms correctly, as well as checking your work for grammar, word choice, spelling, and everything in between. Try it out for free today!
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to say to the effect?
Saying that something is to the effect of something else means that your statement has roughly the same meaning but you are conveyed it using different words.
Is it something to that effect or something to that affect?
Because effect is usually a noun and affect is usually a verb, something to that effect is correct.
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]]>The post A Guide to Rebuttals in Argumentative Essays appeared first on Proofed.
]]>What Is a Rebuttal?
When writing an argumentative essay, there’s always an opposing point of view. You can’t present an argument without the possibility of someone disagreeing.
Sure, you could just focus on your argument and ignore the other perspective, but that weakens your essay. Coming up with possible alternative points of view, or counterarguments, and being prepared to address them, gives you an edge. A rebuttal is your response to these opposing viewpoints.
How Do Rebuttals Work?
With a rebuttal, you can take the fighting power away from any opposition to your idea before they have a chance to attack. For a rebuttal to work, it needs to follow the same formula as the other key points in your essay: it should be researched, developed, and presented with evidence.
Rebuttals in Action
Suppose you’re writing an essay arguing that strawberries are the best fruit. A potential counterargument could be that strawberries don’t work as well in baked goods as other berries do, as they can get soggy and lose some of their flavor. Your rebuttal would state this point and then explain why it’s not valid:
Read on for a few simple steps to formulating an effective rebuttal.
Step 1. Come up with a Counterargument
A strong rebuttal is only possible when there’s a strong counterargument. You may be convinced of your idea but try to place yourself on the other side. Rather than addressing weak opposing views that are easy to fend off, try to come up with the strongest claims that could be made.
In your essay, explain the counterargument and agree with it. That’s right, agree with it – to an extent. State why there’s some truth to it and validate the concerns it presents.
Step 2. Point Out Its Flaws
Now that you’ve presented a counterargument, poke holes in it. To do so, analyze the argument carefully and notice if there are any biases or caveats that weaken it. Looking at the claim that strawberries don’t work well in baked goods, a weakness could be that this argument only applies when strawberries are baked in a pie.
Step 3. Present New Points
Once you reveal the counterargument’s weakness, present a new perspective, and provide supporting evidence to show that your argument is still the correct one. This means providing new points that the opposer may not have considered when presenting their claim.
Offering new ideas that weaken a counterargument makes you come off as authoritative and informed, which will make your readers more likely to agree with you.
Summary: Rebuttals
Rebuttals are essential when presenting an argument. Even if a counterargument is stronger than your point, you can construct an effective rebuttal that stands a chance against it.
We hope this guide helps you to structure and format your argumentative essay. And once you’ve finished writing, send a copy to our expert editors. We’ll ensure perfect grammar, spelling, punctuation, referencing, and more. Try it out for free today!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a rebuttal in an essay?
A rebuttal is a response to a counterargument. It presents the potential counterclaim, discusses why it could be valid, and then explains why the original argument is still correct.
How do you form an effective rebuttal?
To use rebuttals effectively, come up with a strong counterclaim and respectfully point out its weaknesses. Then present new ideas that fill those gaps and strengthen your point.
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]]>The post Figurative Language – Definition and Examples appeared first on Proofed.
]]>What is Figurative Language?
Figurative language is language that uses words or expressions with a meaning that is different from the literal interpretation. It is often used to create imagery, evoke emotion, or emphasize a point in a way that literal language cannot. Think of it as painting a picture with words in the minds of your audience – for example, “She was as light as a feather while dancing.”
5 Types of Figurative Language
Below, we’ll look at five types of figurative language – metaphor, idiom, simile, hyperbole, and personification – that you can use in an essay, poem, speech, or conversation.
Metaphor
A metaphor is a figure of speech that compares two things by stating that one thing is another, without using “like” or “as.” Metaphors are used to create imagery, evoke emotions, and help readers or listeners to understand an idea or concept in a new and interesting way.
Here are some examples of metaphors:
He’s a shining star. This compares a person to a shining star, suggesting that the person is talented, successful, or well-known.
Love is a rose. This compares love to a rose, suggesting that love is beautiful but can also be thorny and painful.
Her voice is music to my ears. This compares a person’s voice to music, suggesting that the sound is pleasing, comforting, and enjoyable.
Time is money. This compares time to money, suggesting that time is valuable and should be used wisely.
Idioms
An idiom is a phrase or expression that has a figurative meaning that is different from the literal meaning of the words. Idioms are often used in informal or conversational language to add color or humor.
Here are some examples of idioms:
Cost an arm and a leg. This means something is very expensive, and it suggests that the cost is so high that it would be comparable to losing a limb.
Hit the nail on the head. This means to be exactly right or to make an accurate assessment of a situation or problem.
Let the cat out of the bag. This means to reveal a secret or to disclose information that was supposed to be kept confidential.
Bite the bullet. This means to endure a difficult or unpleasant situation, often with courage or determination.
If you want to include idioms in your everyday speech or writing, make sure you fully understand the figurative meaning before using them. If used incorrectly, they can cause confusion for your audience.
Similes
A simile is a figure of speech that compares two things using “like” or “as.” They are a great writing technique to create vivid imagery and a memorable comparison.
Here are some examples of similes:
He’s as sly as a fox. This compares a person’s behavior or character to that of a fox, suggesting that he is clever and cunning.
She sings like an angel. This compares a person’s singing voice to that of an angel, emphasizing how beautiful and pure her voice is.
He’s as strong as an ox. This compares a person’s physical strength to that of an ox, emphasizing how powerful he is.
The clouds were like cotton candy. This compares the appearance of clouds to that of cotton candy, emphasizing their light, fluffy texture.
Hyperbole
Hyperbole is a figure of speech that involves exaggeration for emphasis or effect. It is mostly used to emphasize a point in a funny or memorable way. Hyperbole is great to use in everyday language or writing, but it’s important to use it in moderation – otherwise, it can come across as insincere or unbelievable.
Here are some examples of hyperbole:
I’ve told you a million times: This exaggerates the number of times the speaker has said something, emphasizing the frustration of the speaker.
His backpack weighs a ton: This exaggerates the weight of the backpack, emphasizing how heavy it is.
I’m so tired I could sleep for a week: This exaggerates the speaker’s fatigue, emphasizing how exhausted they are.
She’s as old as the hills: This exaggerates a person’s age, emphasizing how old they are.
Personification
Personification is a figure of speech in which an inanimate object or animal is given human-like qualities or characteristics. This technique is mostly used in poetry or descriptive writing to create vivid imagery.
Here are some examples of personification:
The sun smiled down on us. This gives the sun the human quality of smiling, emphasizing how warm and pleasant it is outside.
The flowers danced in the breeze. This gives the flowers the human quality of dancing, emphasizing how light and joyful they appear in the wind.
The car groaned as it struggled up the hill. This gives the car the human quality of groaning, emphasizing how hard it is working to move up the hill.
The storm raged on throughout the night. This gives the storm the human quality of raging, emphasizing how powerful and intense it is.
Conclusion
Figurative language is a great addition to your everyday speech and is frequently used in literature and poetry. It can add depth and richness to language, making it more interesting and expressive. However, it can also be confusing if the reader or listener does not understand the intended meaning of the figurative language. Therefore, it is important to have a basic understanding of figurative language in order to fully appreciate and understand written and spoken communication.
Interested in learning more about how use descriptive language and vivid imagery? Check out our Writing Tips blog to learn more.
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]]>The post Grammar Tips: Prepositions appeared first on Proofed.
]]>What Is a Preposition?
A preposition or prepositional phrase goes before a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to indicate the time, location, or spatial position. There are many prepositions in English, and they all have specific uses and meanings with some general rules of use.
Prepositions of Direction
Prepositions of direction include to, in, into, on, and onto. These are used when describing the motion or direction of a person or thing.
Did you see the dog walking in the library?
Hurry into the classroom so we can get started.
Please merge onto the exit ramp here.
Prepositions of Time
The most common prepositions of time are at, in, and on. They each have specific uses, as described in these examples.
At is used with a specific time of day or with noon, night, or midnight.
See you at noon to discuss this.
Bats are active at night.
I generally go to sleep at midnight.
In is used for unspecific times of the day (e.g., evening, morning, afternoon), months, years, or seasons.
In March, we’re taking a holiday.
My daughter was born in 2001.
She likes seeing the cherry blossoms in the spring.
On is used in relation to days of the week.
We go to the park on Sundays to see the local artists.
Prepositions of Place
There are several prepositions of place, all of which are used to indicate where someone or something is. For example, in is used to refer to the exact location, at is used in relation to a general area, on is used for surfaces, and inside is used when talking about containers.
Let’s meet at the coffee house.
Your keys are on the table.
I found this toy inside my dresser.
For objects that are above something else or overhead, use over or above. On the other hand, you should use below, beneath, under, or underneath for objects that are lower.
The medicine is above the sink.
The basement is beneath the garage.
The blanket is under the sofa.
Jimmy is underneath the box.
For objects that are close by or near something else, use by, near, next to, between, among, or opposite.
She lives near me.
When you arrive, park next to my car.
You can park between the red cars.
Look at all the seagulls among the trash.
The neighbor opposite me is not friendly.
Verbs and Prepositions
As mentioned earlier, many prepositions are idiomatic, meaning they work with specific verbs. Here’s a short list of some common verb + preposition combinations to remember.
Verb + To
I didn’t agree to these terms.
Who does this backpack belong to?
I’m listening to music.
He needs to talk to you about this issue.
Verb + For
Did you apply for that job?
I need to pay for my food before we leave.
He’s waiting for the bus.
What are you looking for?
I work for a government agency.
My mother cares for my grandma.
Verb + From
I’m recovering from an illness.
My mother suffers from chronic fatigue.
He needs to resign from his job.
She’s finally retiring from her job after 50 years.
Verb + On
Could you elaborate on this?
My work is based on research.
The president didn’t comment on this matter.
She’s a person you can count on.
Please leave me alone. I need to concentrate on my homework.
Verb + At
Don’t stare at people.
What’s that man laughing at?
We’ll arrive at noon.
That woman is smiling at me.
Verb + With
You should not associate with people like that.
Can we discuss this with her?
My neighbor doesn’t like dealing with the police.
I need help with my homework.
The car collided with another car on the freeway.
Verb + About
Can I ask you about this problem?
I need to think about this before I can answer your question.
Don’t worry about it too much.
I care about animals too much.
Please forget about the whole thing.
What are those people protesting about?
Conclusion
There are many prepositions in English. Some have clear rules, and others may need memorizing if you want to use them correctly. If you’re struggling with English grammar in your writing, check out our Common ESL Writing Errors guide. Or why not have a proofreader help? We offer a free trial to help make your writing clean, clear, and professional. Try it out today!
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]]>The post Why Proofreading Is Important appeared first on Proofed.
]]>What Is Proofreading?
Proofreading is a type of editing. It’s the process of reviewing a piece of writing for errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and formatting. It takes place after the writing process is complete, and it’s the last type of editing you’ll do before publication.
While earlier stages of editing might make more significant changes to the structure and content of a document, proofreading focuses on catching surface-level errors that the writer has made or that previous edits have introduced.
What Is the History of Proofreading?
Proofreading gets its name from traditional printing presses, where “galley proofs” were mockups of a printed manuscript to test how the published document would look. These “proofs” were then checked for mistakes before being used in the expensive process of printing.
Historically, proofreading was done on paper using symbols called proofing marks. While proofing marks are still in use, these days, most modern proofreading is carried out on a computer using word processing software, such as Microsoft Word.
Why Is Proofreading Important?
Proofreading is crucial to ensuring that a piece of writing is clear, accurate, and easy to understand. These qualities are essential for any document that’s going to be published or shared in some way, from novels to dissertations.
Proofreading helps written work appear professional, reliable, and credible, which is especially important in the case of academic and business writing. It can also help maintain the “suspension of disbelief” in works of fiction.
In addition, proofreading saves time and money by catching mistakes before they’re published, submitted, or widely distributed.
What Impact Can Errors Have?
Even the smallest mistake can have a major impact on a piece of writing. In some cases, an error in grammar, punctuation, spelling, or formatting can cause confusion and lead to misinterpretation of what the author intended to say. A missing comma, for example, can completely change the meaning of a sentence:
“I’d really like to eat, grandpa.”
And the same is true of typos that confuse similar words:
We are now seeking new staff to join our team.
Errors in a text can also:
● Distract readers from the point being made
● Detract from the credibility of the work
● Make the work difficult to read and understand
● Negatively impact an author’s reputation
This can lead to significant consequences, such as poor grades, rejection from publishers, or missed career opportunities.
Conclusion
To summarize:
● Proofreading is an essential step in the writing process that helps to ensure written work is clear, accurate, and easy to understand.
● It’s particularly important for academic and professional writing, as errors can detract from the credibility of the work.
● Errors can have serious consequences for an author and damage their professional reputation.
● Proofreading can prevent confusion and save time by catching errors before they’re published.
Whether you choose to proofread your own work or use a professional, proofreading is essential to producing a good quality piece of writing.
FAQ
1. What are the most common errors found during proofreading?
Some errors appear more often than others.
10 of the most common proofreading errors are:
- Incorrect apostrophe usage
- Missing commas
- Comma splices
- Sentence fragments
- Dangling and misplaced modifiers
- Confusing homophones, such as their/there/they’re, its/it’s, and to/too/two
- Faulty subject–verb agreement
- Misused sayings and idioms
- Inconsistent formatting
- General spelling errors
When proofreading your work, it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for these types of mistakes.
2. How can I proofread a large document efficiently?
It’s difficult to stay focused when looking through a long document, especially if you’ve already read it multiple times.
To help stay on track when proofreading large documents, try:
- Following a proofreading checklist
- Choosing one type of error to focus on at a time (e.g. first checking the entire document for spelling errors, then grammatical errors, and so on)
- Splitting the document into smaller, more manageable chunks
- Taking frequent breaks to rest your eyes (and your brain!)
3. How do I find a professional proofreader?
If you want a second pair of eyes on your writing, a professional proofreader can help.
Here at Proofed, we have a team of over 750 expert proofreaders ready to clean up your writing.
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]]>In this post, we give you some tips on how to determine the tone of any piece of writing.
What Is Tone?
“Tone” can be hard to understand. But in the context of writing, it can be summarized as the way an author expresses information to evoke a certain emotional response to the subject matter.
We normally use adjectives to describe a tone. And there are as many tones as emotions, which means the options are almost endless!
However, there are a few types of tones that appear often in writing, including:
It has come to my attention that a horse has escaped the stable. Please advise on the correct course of action.
Did you hear that a horse got out of the stable? I have no clue what to do about it.
At 10am this morning, a 3-year-old prize stallion was reported missing from a local stable. Equestrians and veterinarians are being consulted on the issue.
My heart stopped when I saw the news. I couldn’t believe it. Who would have thought such a thing would ever happen in our small town? A horse… escaping the stable.
Forget about letting the cat out of the bag – looks like someone let the horse out of the stable!
What sort of idiot lets their horse escape from a stable?
Runaway horses are a hazard to our health, our children, and our livelihoods. Here at Stable Condition, we guarantee your new stable will be escapee-free.
Tone can be set in many ways, such as through word choice, syntax, point of view, and a lot of other subtle and abstract ways. For a more in-depth look at different types of tones, see our blog post on the subject.
To help you determine tone in writing, we’ll examine some of these tools in detail.
1. Understand the Context
A piece of writing’s tone will be heavily influenced by the circumstances under which it is written. These include its form or genre, its intended audience, and where it’s published.
For example, if you were writing or analyzing an article for a scientific journal, you’d expect the tone to be formal, technical, and matter-of-fact.
If you were writing or analyzing a short story in an anthology for children, on the other hand, the tone would probably be more informal, lighthearted, and optimistic.
To help determine tone, ask yourself these questions about a piece of writing:
● Where will it be published?
● Who’s the intended audience?
● What genre or subject matter does it cover?
You can then use the answers to these questions to get an idea of what tone the piece should use.
2. Pay Attention to Vocabulary
Word choice is one of the most crucial elements of establishing tone.
Two sentences with the same basic meaning can have different tone depending on the words the author uses.
Take the examples below:
flick of his wrist and cheerfully strolled into the room.
Though both sentences describe the same thing (a man adjusting his collar before walking into a room), the choice of nouns, adjectives, and adverbs drastically changes how we interpret what’s happening.
When analyzing a text or writing your own piece, you should think about certain words’ connotations and the emotions they inspire. Are they positive, negative, or neutral? If you swapped a word for one with a similar meaning but a different tone, how would your understanding of the sentence change?
You should also consider the effects of:
● Long, complex words (e.g., “Machiavellian”) vs. short, simple words (e.g., “evil”)
● Multiple adjectives and adverbs (e.g., “the beautiful, resplendent scarlet macaw”) vs. few describing words (e.g., “the parrot”)
● Technical jargon (e.g., “parallel processing”)
● Slang, colloquialisms, and idioms (e.g., “Slang drives me up the wall”)
3. Consider Punctuation
Authors can also use punctuation to achieve a certain tone.
Here’s how common punctuation can influence a piece of writing’s tone:
● Exclamation marks indicate excitement, surprise, or other strong emotions. Using exclamation marks can imply a more informal and lighthearted tone, though they can also be used to show passion and persuade the reader of something. Writing that lacks exclamation marks establishes a formal tone but can come across as cold or dismissive.
We’ve got the best seafood in your area! Act fast to book a table!
We’ll attend the new restaurant tonight. My colleagues insisted.
● Question marks invite the opinion of the reader into the writing, whether the question asked is rhetorical or not. They can imply a considerate and communicative tone, but they can also indicate confusion, ignorance, or conflict.
She awoke feeling strangely lost. What had she dreamt about?
● Periods, commas, and other pauses control the speed at which text is read. Adding more periods can slow a piece of writing down or break it into smaller parts, which can work to build a straightforward, reserved, or sharp tone. Adding more commas extends the length and complexity of sentences, which can create a passionate and suspenseful tone, or even one that seems avoidant.
4. Check Grammar Usage
Using grammar to indicate tone can be more subtle.
For example, an author may choose to use different pronouns to write from a particular grammatical point of view:
● First person singular provides information from one perspective, so while it can establish an authoritative or personal tone, it can also imply a limited view of the world.
I watched my first film at the age of 32.
● First person plural usually indicates an inclusive tone, but in some contexts, it can build a tone that’s condescending or even unsettling.
Are you one of us or not?
● Second person is rare in writing but can create a persuasive, accusatory, or conspiratorial tone.
● Third person is most often used to tell a story or describe something, so it can establish an informative and objective tone. At the same time, it can create a tone that’s more detached from the subject matter.
And while there are grammatical rules that writers are usually expected to follow, how closely an author follows these rules can also indicate tone.
For example, a more conversational piece might be more flexible about not ending sentences with a preposition than something intended to be formal and professional:
Please watch the video in which I introduce my new book.
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