Correcting and Proofreading Checklist Correcting and Proofreading Checklist

Spelling Spelling

4 Have you spelled all of the words 4 Have you spelled all of the words
correctly? correctly?
4 Have you used the dictionary? 4 Have you used the dictionary?
(Read your writing backwards one word (Read your writing backwards one word
at a time when you check for spelling. at a time when you check for spelling.
Then you can’t help but focus on each Then you can’t help but focus on each
word and check it for spelling.) word and check it for spelling.)

Punctuation Punctuation

4 Does each sentence end with an end 4 Does each sentence end with an end
punctuation mark? punctuation mark?
4 Have you placed commas before the 4 Have you placed commas before the
conjunctions and, but, or in compound conjunctions and, but, or in compound
sentences? sentences?
4 Have you used commas to set off items 4 Have you used commas to set off items
in a series? in a series?
4 Are apostrophes in place to show 4 Are apostrophes in place to show
possession or to mark contractions? possession or to mark contractions?
4 Have you properly punctuated any 4 Have you properly punctuated any
conversation with quotation marks? conversation with quotation marks?

Capitalization Capitalization

4 Have you started sentences and 4 Have you started sentences and
conversation with a capital letter? conversation with a capital letter?
4 Have you capitalized specific people, 4 Have you capitalized specific people,
places, or things? places, or things?

Usage Usage

4 Have you misused any of the commonly 4 Have you misused any of the commonly
mixed homonyms such as there, their, mixed homonyms such as there, their,
they’re, to, too, two, its, it’s, our, are, they’re, to, too, two, its, it’s, our, are,
your, you’re? your, you’re?

Grammar Grammar

4 Do your subjects and verbs agree? 4 Do your subjects and verbs agree?
4 Have you kept your verb tenses 4 Have you kept your verb tenses
consistent? consistent?
4 Have you used any sentence fragments 4 Have you used any sentence fragments
or run-on sentences? or run-on sentences?
Created by Ellen Gabor, Teachers.Net Gazette - http://teachers.net/gazette