Use spell check

If a spell checker is available with your word processing program, use it- - but realize that all errors may not be detected.   Errors often missed are:

1. Names and addresses that are not in the computer's dictionary.
2. Homonyms that are not misspelled but merely misused, such as: their/there/they're and
   principle/principal.
3. Numbers that can only be verified by checking original copy.
4. Repeated words or omitted words.
5. Formatting errors such as incorrect paragraph indention or incorrect spacing between lines or
   words.
6. Punctuation or capitalization errors.

 

Proofread copy on screen

1. Read- - slower than usual- - the keyed document on the screen before printing.
2. Check all numbers and spelling of questionable words with the original copy.
3. Pay close attention to the first few lines and the last few lines of your document. Errors are
   easily overlooked in both places.

Proofread Printed Copy

1. Read the printed copy again very carefully to determine if it makes sense.
2. Look for formatting and alignment errors.

 

Proofread with a partner
If keyed material consists of difficult words and numbers, ask someone to read the original copy
to you while you check the keyed copy.

Capitalization Guidelines

1. Capitalize the pronoun, "I," proper nouns, and the first word of a sentence.
2. Capitalize names of days, months, holidays, and religious days- - but not the seasons of the
   year.
3. Capitalize titles that precede names but not those that follow names.
4. Capitalize North, South, East, West, when they are in an address, part of a proper noun, and
   when they refer to specific regions.
5. Capitalize a noun followed by a number or a letter EXCEPT the following nouns: line, note,
   page, paragraph, size, and verse.

Subject/Verb Agreement Guidelines

1. A verb must agree with its subject in number and person. The letter "S" is usually added to a
   verb to indicate the third person singular.
2. Phrases and clauses between a subject and verb do not affect the number of the verb.
3. Use a singular verb after a phrase beginning with one of or one of the. However, use a plural
   verb immediately after the phrases "one of [the or those people] who" and "one of the [items]
   that" because that particular verb refers to the or those people or items.
4. If the subject consists of two words connected by and or by both and, the subject is plural and
   requires a plural verb.
5. If the subject consisting of two nouns connected by and refers to the same person or thing or is
   preceded by each, every, many a, or many an, a singular verb is used.

Punctuation Spacing Guidelines

1. Space once after a comma and a semicolon. Space once after a period used with initials,
   titles, and most abbreviations.
2. Space twice after a colon and after punctuation at the end of a sentence (period, question mark,
   and exclamation point.)
3. Do not space before or after a splash/diagonal, a hyphen, or dash.
4. Do not space after a period used within degrees or geographic abbreviation
5. Space once before an opening parenthesis; do not space after it.
6. Space once after a closing parenthesis ( ) do not space before it.

Composing at the keyboard:
Creating a document on the computer without writing it first with pencil/pen and paper.

When you compose at the keyboard:

• Plan your message before keying the rough draft.
• Organize your thoughts and write your paper in a logical sequence (order).
• Follow standard language rules when keying.
• Explain your ideas in a clear and logical manner.

Advantages to composing at the keyboard:

• Corrections can be made quickly as you key.
• Rough draft printouts are easier to read and modify
  (especially if your create a double-spaced document).
• Once you learn to key, you can write faster on the computer than by hand!

Editing:

• The process of making changes in the text of a document.
• You do this to the rough draft.
• Sometimes proofreader marks are called "editing marks."