Modern technology has provided us with an easy way to spellcheck our work but you must remember that it can’t catch every spelling mistake.  Sometimes there are correctly spelled words used the wrong way.   Here’s an example sentence:  It is impotent to proofread your work.  The spellcheck won’t recongnize that impotent is a mistake because it is spelled correctly.   You can catch the mistakes that your spellcheck missed by using the simple proofreading techniques below.

• Read slowly so that you can concentrate on individual letters of words rather than on the meaning of the words.

• Stay within your visual span.  This is the number of letters that you can identify with a single glance; for most people about six letters. 

• Put a ruler or large index card under each line as you proofread to focus your concentration and vision.

• Read each paragraph backwards, from the last sentence to the first. This will focus your attention on each individual word.

The the Impotence of Proofreading is the funniest proofreading article that I’ve ever read.  I just know that you’ll enjoy it as well.