You’ve just finished your paper. You’re by the printer waiting to grab your masterpiece and run to class.
STOP!
Do not ever just grab your paper and run! This is important, so I’ll repeat it: do not ever just grab your paper and run! Every teacher who has ever graded a grab-and-run paper can testify that these are often the most error-riddled papers. What makes a paper NOT a grab-and-run paper? Proofreading.
Proofreading is simply scanning the paper for obvious errors. If you can find a friend to proofread your paper, you will save your grade unnecessary docking. If you cannot find a friend, don’t just scan your own paper: you’re too familiar with it. Instead, read it out loud, slowly. When you read your paper out loud, you’ll be forced to pay attention to what is actually on the page. You’ll be surprised how often you missed something on the computer screen.
One more thing: make certain you check the peripherals–overall formatting, your name, your teacher’s name, the title, the date, etc. Unfortunately, good papers have lost entire letter grades for misspelling the teacher’s name. Don’t let it happen to you. Take a moment to borrow or be an error catcher.
If you’d rather have a professional proofreader catch the errors, contact your friendly M.W.H. editor today! 
August 10, 2008 at 6:05 pm
You’ve made numerous true statements in this brief article. The advice is sound, but requires planning ahead…you got any advice for those of us who wait till the very last possible minute to crank out our research papers, presentations, etc.?
August 10, 2008 at 10:31 pm
I always recommend planning ahead.
That said, I always procrastinated on my papers in school. I’d spend a couple minutes per class each semester to adjust my Self-Proof Checklist. Then, when in a hurry, I’d review my checklist before and sometimes while I write. I recommend you do the same. It’ll help you catch errors before you make them.
You should also take thirty seconds to run your word processor’s spell and grammar check.
If you don’t have time to read your paper outloud, you need to take note and try to save an extra 5 minutes next time you procrastinate!