Read the text once to understand meaning before focusing on errors
Check spelling first using a reliable spellchecker
Verify grammar and sentence structure for clarity and correctness
Scan for punctuation issues (commas, periods, semicolons, quotation marks, apostrophes)
Ensure capitalization is consistent (sentence case, proper nouns, titles)
Check verb tense consistency throughout the document
Confirm subject–verb agreement and pronoun consistency
Look for duplicate words, missing words, and repeated phrases
Review word choice for accuracy and consistency of tone
Check formatting consistency (headings, spacing, indentation, bullet styles)
Ensure numbers, dates, and units follow the required style
Confirm references, citations, and names are spelled and formatted consistently
Verify hyphenation and compound word usage matches the style guide
Check paragraphing and transitions for logical flow
Read aloud or silently at a slower pace to catch awkward phrasing
Read backward (sentence by sentence) to isolate spelling and punctuation errors
Use a second pass focused only on one category at a time (spelling, then grammar, then punctuation)
Compare the final draft against the original requirements or rubric
Check for formatting issues caused by copy/paste (line breaks, spacing, broken links)
Look for unintended changes (missing sections, altered headings, removed text)
Ensure consistent terminology and abbreviations (define once if needed)
Have another person review it, especially for larger or high-stakes documents
Proofread on a fresh break or after a short pause to reduce overlooked mistakes
Save a final version and re-check the last edits before submission