Articles · Communication
Why Proofreading Is a Separate Skill
How to support accurate written work when drafting and editing require different kinds of attention.
Shared Language editorial team
Published · 2 min read
The brain can supply the intended meaning
A person may understand a subject clearly while missing errors in spelling, formatting, sequencing, or wording. When rereading familiar work, the brain may see what it intended to write rather than what is actually there.
Change the review process
Use text-to-speech, proofread after a break, review one error type at a time, or use a second reviewer for important documents. This does not lower the standard; it changes the route used to reach it.
Try this next
Use separate passes for content, structure, and formatting instead of checking everything at once.