What are the Effective Proofreading Strategies

Proofreading is the one of the stages of the writing process. It is a method of identifying different errors, including typographical, grammar, spelling and punctuation and the formatting and style of a piece of writing. Proofreading is the final step in a writing process. After writing a document, a writer usually proofreads his or her written stuff so as to maintain accuracy.

It is imperative to understand that when you write something, you need to revise, edit and proofread it thoroughly. Revising means rearranging or replacing the words and sentences. Editing refers to finding grammar and spelling errors and proofreading means checking the typo errors and formatting of the document. Let us see some useful and effective proofreading strategies.

1.  Take enough time: Whether you are writing an essay or a research paper, you are likely to make mistakes in a hurry. After completing one paragraph, proofread the sentence as you may find errors or structural problem in your writing.

2.   Always refer a dictionary and a citation guide: While proofreading if you come across a word or a statement, which you have never heard or you are not able to recollect, then it is ideal to refer a dictionary and citation guide. Check in-text citation carefully and verify the source from the reference list.

3.  Read the document backward: Sometimes, it is difficult to find out your own mistakes. Hence, it is ideal to read your written stuff backward. Read paragraph by paragraph or sentence by sentence. This will help you in identifying the mistakes more quickly and easily.

4.  Read aloud: It is good to read the document aloud and slowly as it will help you in determining the flaws, including missing words, run-on sentences and typo errors.

5.  Mark the verbs: Mark the verbs in the sentence so as to identify passive voice.

6. Read the paper as a reader: Read the document as a different person. This will help you in determining whether your thoughts are precisely communicated to the target audience.

7. Keep an eye on the most common mistakes: If you often make common mistakes, then keep a close check on the errors when reading the document.

What are the Characteristics of Expository Writing

Expository writing is a one form of writing that educates, explain and inform something important to the reader or listener. This type of writing is mostly used in the academic area. Expository writing is also found in newspapers, instruction manuals, magazines and educational articles. The writing style of the expository writing is different from other forms of writing. It is written in a clear, concise and logical manner so as to convey the information correctly to the readers. In expository writing, the writer analyzes the subject thoroughly based on the available facts and evidences. Hence, the information presented to the readers is generally unbiased. 

When writing an expository essay, it is not necessary that the reader or listener have prior knowledge or understanding about the topic that is being described. Hence, the information should be presented to the readers in an organized manner. A general expository essay contains an introductory paragraph in which a thesis is being discussed and two to three body paragraph that describe or explain the thesis with the help of supporting facts. Besides, it also includes a concluding paragraph that summed up the main topic.

Characteristics of Expository Writing

•    Informative and useful: This form of writing intends to give essential information to the readers or listeners.

•    Clear and concise: The texts are written in a clear and concise manner in order to educate the audience.

•    Proper arrangement of the texts: The expository writing is always written in a chronological order. It is written by concentrating on the main topic.

•    Appropriate evidences: In the body paragraph of the expository writing, all the facts and evidences are provided to support the thesis or topic.

•    Impersonal: Instead of ‘I’ or ‘me’, this form of writing uses third person.

•    Fair and balanced: Expository writing indicates the view or opinion of the writer. The information is provided to readers in a fair and unbiased manner. 

What are the Components of Thesis Writing

A thesis is a dissertation, which is written on a specific topic or subject. When you write a brief introduction about the topic, you also state your point of view on that topic, which is known as a thesis statement. A thesis writing is a completely an academic form of writing. In this form of writing, a student needs to conduct a thorough research in order to present an original thesis. A thesis statement is an argument that guides the rest of the paper. It tells the reader that how you will discuss the importance of the subject matter. Let us see the components of the thesis writing in detail.

The Initial Pages

1.  Cover Page or Title Page: The cover page encompasses the title of the thesis, the name of the candidate, qualification, department, university, thesis details and completion date.

2.  Approval Sheet: This sheet contains the proof that the candidate (author) has met the requirement required for the thesis. This is duly signed by the thesis adviser, the panel and the Dean. It also consists of the grades scored by the author.

3.  Abstract: It covers the brief summary of the thesis. The main objective of the abstract part is to make your readers aware about the most essential information from the whole text.

4.  Acknowledgement: This page is meant to convey gratitude to your instructor or adviser and the people who have helped the candidate or author in completing the thesis.

5. Dedication: This page is especially for some specific people who have inspired the researchers/author at the time of writing thesis.

6.   Table of Content: It includes all important divisions and chapter titles.

7.  List of Tables/ List of Figures: It contains a list of figures and a list of tables. Each list is mentioned in a separate page.

The Text (Content) of the Thesis

1.   Introduction: This part of the thesis writing introduces to the topic or problem of your thesis.

2.  Literature Review: It gives an insight into the previous studies, which is related to the topic or problem. Through this section, a reader will be able to understand why research is conducted on a particular topic. It shows the achievements and limitations of the previous research.

3.  Chapters in a Chronological Order: It provides in-depth description of the theoretical as well as experimental work. Besides, it also shows the results as well as its significance. Every chapter provides an introduction along with the objective and short summary stating the important findings of the chapter.

4.  Conclusion and Recommendation: Based on the findings of the research, a conclusion is written by the author. The page also contains recommendations for future research.

5.  Bibliography and Reference: It contains the records of the work that have been referred in the text of the thesis.

6. Appendices: It encompasses extra table or graphs of detailed data, statistical analyses and interview transcripts. In the appendix section, the copies of published papers are usually enclosed in the dissertation.

Tips on Writing Hooks for Essays

In English language, hooks are those lines that capture the reader’s attention and arouse their interest in reading. In simple words, hooks are opening sentences that grab the attention of the readers and persuade them to read the entire text. A hook can be a punch line, article, essay, quote, story or a phrase. When writing an article, essay or punch line, it is extremely important to start it with a good hook so as to hold the attention of the readers and make them want to read the text that comes next. Let us understand how to write a good hook for essays.

1.  Use quotes from famous person: Writing a good essay is little difficult sometimes. If you want to grab the attention of your readers, then include a quote from the most successful and famous people. It will help you to convince your readers on what you want to say. In simple words, a quote will support your statement. Make sure that the quote you will use should relevant to your essay topic.

2.   Begin your first line with a question: If your essay topic demands an answer, then it is ideal to start the first sentence with a question. This will stimulate the interest of the reader and also enables you to reveal the information in a step-by-step manner.

3.  Use an anecdote or joke: Sometimes including humorous in the texts spark the interest of the reader. Hence, you can begin your essay with a humorous anecdote so as to make it amusing and interesting for the readers.

4.   Create a scene: Set a scene in your essay. Explain an event or describe something about a person who is relevant to your essay topic. This will help you to involve your readers in your writing. 

5.  Provide factual information: If you are writing a persuasive essay, then it is good to include some facts and data. The factual information will support your argument and also convince the readers with your opinion.

6.  State your main point: You can also start your essay by stating the main point and later you can support your view point in the rest of the paragraphs. If your topic is really interesting, then it will surely grab the attention of the readers.

7.  Use analogy: By using analogy in the sentence, you can create vivid pictures in the reader’s mind. This will allow them to visualize the things, which you want to convey.

Well here is the way where you can get more in depth knowledge about hooks like Creating Hook, and Types of Hook.

How to Write an Autobiography Step-by-Step

An autobiography is information about a person’s own life that is described by that person only. In simple words, an autobiography is a record of a person’s life, which is written by that person. In an autobiography, a person shares his or her personal experiences with others. It is a literary work that is presented in various forms such as movie, books or audio recording. One can also take the help of a co-author when writing an autobiography. An autobiography is more interesting than a biography as the author narrates his or her own life story to the readers. Let us understand how to write an autobiography in a step-by-step manner.

•  Read the autobiographies of others: Writing about your life experience is easy, but it is good if you can write in a particular style. Read the autobiographies of other authors and observe the order in which they describe their life story and the level of details they provide.

•  Select one of the best memories: Look into your past and choose all those memories that you still cherish and want to discuss with others. Write about those memories that are touching and melt your heart.

•  Structure your life story in a coherent manner: Arrange your thoughts in a proper order. Start the sentence with your present life and later talk about the events of your past that you cherish, including your achievements.

•  Be truthful: Be honest with your readers. Describe the ups and down of your life, so that your readers will understand the problems you have faced. Apart from this, they will get a chance to know your greatest achievements.

•  Add sensory details: Explain the most memorable and important event of your life with the readers. Create an image in the reader’s mind by adding sensory details.

•  Conclusion: Sum up the entire story in an organized manner. Besides, you can also tell your readers about your plans for the future.

•  Proofread: Proofreading is an essential task after writing an autobiography. It will help you in identifying the grammar errors, subject-verb agreement and the order in which you have narrated your life story.

Get more elaborated ideas on how to write an autobiography.