Tips for Proofreading Applications Without External Help

[contemplator___]

First of all, sorry if this is redundant and similar topics already exist. I tried to look for them but couldn’t find anything that exactly answered my question, which is:
How can I effectively proofread my applications if I don’t have anyone to review them? Most of my friends and acquaintances don’t have the required level of English proficiency to spot minor grammar, punctuation, or sentence structure errors. Additionally, none of them are familiar with the specific nature of vacation scheme or training contract application writing.

Currently, I proofread my applications first and then use Grammarly (free version, as I can’t afford premium) until it gives me a score of 100. After that, I ask ChatGPT to identify any further mistakes. However, after watching the video on proofreading available here on TCLA, I’ve realized that this approach isn’t sufficient.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Andrei Radu]

First of all, sorry if this is redundant and similar topics already exist. I tried to look for them but couldn’t find anything that exactly answered my question, which is:
How can I effectively proofread my applications if I don’t have anyone to review them? Most of my friends and acquaintances don’t have the required level of English proficiency to spot minor grammar, punctuation, or sentence structure errors. Additionally, none of them are familiar with the specific nature of vacation scheme or training contract application writing.

Currently, I proofread my applications first and then use Grammarly (free version, as I can’t afford premium) until it gives me a score of 100. After that, I ask ChatGPT to identify any further mistakes. However, after watching the video on proofreading available here on TCLA, I’ve realized that this approach isn’t sufficient.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Hey @salari.sepideh I definitely empathize with your struggles. It is quite difficult to know when you have done enough proofreading, as even after 3-4 checks I would still sometimes find a typo after I submitted the application. Unfortunately, I think the only way to minimize the risk of any errors is to do as many repeated checks as possible yourself.

To maximize efficiency however I would advise you to proofread at different times and in different environments. Instead of investing 50 minutes to do 5 checks one after the other immediately after you finished your final draft, I think you should try to do 5 different checks of 10 minutes each at different moments over the span of 1-2 days. You would be surprised how many more mistakes you identify when you can truly look at it with "a fresh pair of eyes".

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

One trick I use is to use the "read aloud" functions on most software - this is not something to purely rely on, but I have picked up issues with my writing this way by how it is spoken out loud. Its also a good way to check if you are a little word-blind if you have been staring at documents/words all day.

 

[contemplator___]

Hey @salari.sepideh I definitely empathize with your struggles. It is quite difficult to know when you have done enough proofreading, as even after 3-4 checks I would still sometimes find a typo after I submitted the application. Unfortunately, I think the only way to minimize the risk of any errors is to do as many repeated checks as possible yourself.

To maximize efficiency however I would advise you to proofread at different times and in different environments. Instead of investing 50 minutes to do 5 checks one after the other immediately after you finished your final draft, I think you should try to do 5 different checks of 10 minutes each at different moments over the span of 1-2 days. You would be surprised how many more mistakes you identify when you can truly look at it with "a fresh pair of eyes".

I will definitely do that! thanks for your help!

 

[contemplator___]

One trick I use is to use the "read aloud" functions on most software - this is not something to purely rely on, but I have picked up issues with my writing this way by how it is spoken out loud. Its also a good way to check if you are a little word-blind if you have been staring at documents/words all day.

I have never thought of that before. Thanks for the suggestion!