Nothing is more infuriating than working hard on an essay or work report, only to realize you let an embarrassing typo slip through after you’ve submitted it. Proofreading is hard work, and often left until the final hours or minutes before a deadline, so it’s easy to slack off on this final step—but proofreading doesn’t have to be as hard as you think, especially if you know how the pros do it.
Last But Not Least is a combination primer and workbook to teach you the specific skills you need to find grammar gremlins, typos, and other slips that mar your copy and compromise communication. Whether you're a student or a teacher, an administrative assistant or a communications specialist, a novice in the field or a seasoned professional, the techniques and processes in Last But Not Least will help you create perfect documents. Topics include:
- Punctuation and mechanics,
- Grammar basics,
- Spelling, including common typos and substitutions,
- Proofreading visual communication,
- Proofreading to make sense.
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1. How to Proofread: The Basics
2. Spelling
3. Punctuation and Mechanics
4. Grammar
5. Proofreading to Make Sense
6. Proofreading Visual Communication
7. Closing the Loop
8. Putting Your Skills to the Test
Answer Keys
Appendix 1: Punctuation Primer
Appendix 2: Grammar Primer
Appendix 3: Some Troublesome Words and Phrases
Appendix 4: Commonly Confused Words
Appendix 5: Selected Resources
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
About the Author
Leslie Vermeer, PhD, is a writer, editor, reviewer, and professor who holds master's degrees in English and education. Leslie has worked in publishing for more than twenty-five years, having edited or worked on more than one hundred books to date, and has served as a juror on a number of writing, editing, and publishing awards. Leslie teaches at Grant MacEwan University, where her focus includes editing, grammar, print studies, and communication theory.
