How can I proof-read my own work more effectively?

Question

After an article/book has finally reached the pre-publication stage, the authors have to check the proofs for errors (introduced by themselves or during type-setting). I find this one of the least enjoyable aspects of my work and also think I might not be particularly efficient. It varies with the length of the manuscript. A five-page article in conference proceedings is obviously less of a problem than a monograph.

• When proof-reading my own contributions, it is the umpteenth time that I am reading the same text. I find it exceedingly boring, which might make me ineffective (taking a long time to read the text, and potentially overlooking errors).
• The delay between the actual research and publication of the work can be quite extensive. After such a long time, I am less likely to recall all the details of the analysis, making me more likely to overlook errors in the manuscript.

Asking colleagues to help with this also seems ineffective. They might be less bored while reading the text, but (a) might not be very attentive because they have more pressing issues at hand and (b) can only spot clear inconsistencies, but not other errors you can only notice if you did the research yourself.

How can I make my proof-reading more effective and enjoyable/increase my motivation?

Answer 1

From Google:

Proof-read:

• from hard-copy
• backwards
• aloud
• a few days after the last revision
• after revising the text for clarity and brevity
• line by line, covering the remainder
• double-checking small words ("if") and proper names
• looking for one type of mistake at a time
• looking for mistakes and idiosyncrasies to which you are prone (using the search function or even more sophisticated).

Helpful links:

• Proofreading and editing tips
• Top 10 Proofreading Tips
• "Proofreading", from The Writer's Handbook

On motivation:

• schedule enough time to divide the task into small chunks and take breaks
• reward yourself after completion of each chunk
• listen to music
• have a nice cup of tea
• you have the soon-to-be published result of your hard work in front of you. Indulge in some pride as you go through the paper.

Answer 2

1. Double space it and print it. Nothing tops paper.
2. make a check list of items that you usually forget. You can write macros and codes to check your common mistakes. However, this list should be ongoing and always around your desk. People have blind spots that lives with them. For example lower-case, upper case in the reference list is something I always miss, even though I hoped Mendeley would take care of it (but it is still very unreliable).
3. Read it from the end to the front, and chapters in random orders depending on the type of paper.
4. You can use software like Grammarly, but don't expect 100% accuracy.
5. If you are doing it on computer, change the color of pages and fonts every once in a while.
6. You can also assign a memory map to each chapter of the book; for example, assign the whole road from DC to SF to the book and create a road trip by reading each chapter in each state. It helps you also memorize where did you say what in your book.

Answer 3

Read it as if you are someone whose opinion on the work matters to you. That will help you read it with their eyes, or as if you are reading it aloud to them.

I find that this, along with the natural anticipation of their (imagined) response gives me the fresh view necessary.