1. Check sentence endings

Look for missing full stops, commas, question marks or other punctuation.

2. Check subject–verb agreement

Look for sentences where the subject and verb do not match.

3. Check commonly confused words

Pay attention to words such as:

their / there / they're

your / you're

its / it's

4. Read difficult sentences aloud mentally

If a sentence feels awkward or difficult to follow, examine its structure.

5. Look for repeated words

Students often use the same adjective or verb repeatedly. Replace unnecessary repetition where a more precise word improves the sentence.

A useful proofreading strategy is to read one sentence at a time, rather than becoming absorbed in the overall story or argument.

For spelling, focus particularly on words you personally tend to misspell.

Do not try to rewrite the entire piece during the final minute. Prioritise errors that affect clarity and correctness.

Students can also develop a personal proofreading checklist over time.

For example:

Capital letters → punctuation → spelling → grammar → repeated words.

The objective is to turn proofreading into a consistent process rather than relying on simply “having a quick look”.

With regular practice, students become better at spotting errors before they submit their work.