Proofreading Tips To Save Your Credibility

In today's world of increasing communication and online interaction

, more people than ever before are able to contribute their ideas, share their opinions, or promote themselves and their business on the Internet. Unfortunately, as technological developments like cell phones and social networking unfold, the proper use of grammar and spelling dwindles. Whether it's a post on someone's Facebook wall or a comment on a blog entry or news article, the "voice" of the common man, while heard, is not likely to be respected when it is pitted with poor spelling and grammar.

Sadly, these blunders have grown to include business communications, such as emails and web sites. A piece of writing represents the writer; if it is unprofessionally done, the reader must draw his or her own conclusions about the professionalism of the writer. So before you hit "send," "publish," "share," or "print," stop a moment and recall that what you writes reflects on you. In other words, proofread your work. Here are a few tips that can help.

For critical pieces of communication especially, (e.g. company memos or web site content) you need to make sure you aren't distracted. Blaring music or chattering coworkers can make it hard to focus on what you're writing and reading. Get rid of the noise and diversions. If you're writing something that's extremely important, as in it could impact your career or grade in school, print it first. It's easier to find mistakes on paper than it is on your computer screen. Consider reading it aloud, reading it backwards, or having another person read it; these are all great ways to detect errors. You may even want to hire a freelance copy editor or proofreader if the writing will be widely distributed.

Even if you aren't writing something vital to your career, you should still check your Facebook post or tweet for these common mistakes: homonyms, contractions and apostrophes, and general punctuation and spelling. Homonyms are words that sound the same but are spelled differently. Typical mistakes are "there" for "their" or "they're;" "to" for "too;" "except" for "accept;" "compliment" for "complement;" and so on. Apostrophe placement (or lack thereof) is another frequent error. "Your" does not mean "you are," but "you're" does. And "car's" does not mean more than one car! Punctuation and spelling are the tricky parts if grammar isn't your strong point. But often you'll find mistakes simply if you reread what you wrote. Spell check can help with spelling--and so can an online dictionary! (Don't ignore the squiggly red lines; they do mean something.)

Obviously you don't need to hire a professional proofreader to comment on someone's photo, but if you start to ignore the conventions of grammar in little pieces of writing, it will be harder to remember them when it counts. Don't damage your credibility--or that of your business--by writing sloppily.

by: Art Gib

POST COMMENT

The 3 Most Effective Panic Attack Tips That You Must Not Ignore To know more about FreeSlot Machine Tips and Strategies Earn Money Doing Surveys: Answering Paid Opinion Survey Tips Laundry Room Organization 101: Helpful Tips and Products Tips and Traps When Hiring a Limo Breeding Sheep - Tips On Doing It Right The First Time Tips To Keep Your Affiliates Motivated Princess Celebration Provides From Princess Get together Tips Military Tax Tips Soccer Coaching Books - 3 Tips for Choosing the Best Soccer Drill Books Bangladesh Article Submission Tips For Article Submitters In Bangladesh Thinking Of Booking Hot-lanta Discounted Rooms? Check Out These Tips On How To Locate Phenomenal Roo Live Lean For Life Presents To Us Worldwide Weight Loss Tips And Tricks