TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: Editing, Smediting From:"Robin M. Allen" <robin -dot- m -dot- allen -at- WORLDNET -dot- ATT -dot- NET> Date:Thu, 17 Apr 1997 14:06:49 -0500
Michael Hassett wrote:
>
> A trick my dad taught me when I was 12 and he was working as a
> proofreader for a publishing company--
>
> If you really want to catch surface problems (punctuation, spelling,
> citation style, etc.) read the document backwards. Start with the
> last sentence, then move to the next to the last sentence, then to
> the third-to-last sentence, and so on. (For spelling, sometimes it is
> useful to read one word at a time, starting with the last word of the
> document.)
I have used this proofing skill for years and it works amazingly well.
It is tedious, but well worth it.
:Robin Allen
robin -dot- m -dot- allen -at- worldnet -dot- att -dot- net
TECHWR-L (Technical Communication) List Information: To send a message
to 2500+ readers, e-mail to TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU -dot- Send commands
to LISTSERV -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU (e.g. HELP or SIGNOFF TECHWR-L).
Search the archives at http://www.documentation.com/ or search and
browse the archives at http://listserv.okstate.edu/archives/techwr-l.html
