Proofreading tip from my former life as a senior engineer then department head. Read your documents in a different form than you prepared them. If you print, print a copy and read before distribution, read it at the printer! If you are paperless, read the document after generating the pdf (or whatever). If all fails, put it away and re-read after lunch/the next day.
The different form helps you see stuff you missed in libre office/word/spreadsheet.
@rcriii@zappy
“Wherever possible, don’t be the only proofreader of your own material. Self-proofing is a hard-earned skill. You will read what you expect you had intended to write. Different media as per the above will help you avoid this prejudice, but it is deeply ingrained. Do not underestimate the power of self-delusion.”
—The Voice of Experience
@europlus@rcriii I often walk away for a day from what I've written, at minimum. I can still feel when that's not enough for something important. I adore my friends that are willing to act as a second set of eyes. I often return the favor.
@zappy@rcriii it has taken me literally decades to feel comfortable self-proofing. I still usually step away for a while between writing and proofing. I rarely evade revisions, even if I felt satisfied when first writing material. While I infrequently find errors in material I have “finalised”, it does happen, and I know I will never completely avoid them.
Disclaimer: This toot does not apply to toots, where I too frequently find errors when frequenting past toots, to my frequent regret.
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