Pass one: test the argument
Read for structure before correcting sentences. Confirm that the purpose is clear, each section has a job and each paragraph advances the central argument.
Mark claims that need evidence, transitions that hide a logical jump and conclusions that go beyond the reported results.
Pass two: improve the reader’s experience
Shorten long subjects, move the main verb forward and replace vague nouns with concrete actors and actions. Define technical terms when the audience may not share them.
- Lead paragraphs with the point, not the background
- Keep one controlling idea per paragraph
- Use headings that help readers predict the content
- Delete repetition that does not add emphasis or precision
Pass three: verify every detail
Check quotations, numbers, tables, figure labels, references and links against their sources. Confirm that the reference list and in-text citations agree.
If an AI tool contributed to brainstorming, drafting, analysis or editing, follow the disclosure and authorship rules that apply to the work. Do not cite or rely on a source you have not opened and checked yourself.
Proofread in a different mode
Change the visual format, read aloud or review from the final exported document. Proofreading works best after the argument and sentences are stable because late rewriting can introduce new errors.