Confessions of a legal-writing teacher, part 4
Confessions of a legal-writing teacher, part 4 of a series.
4. I’m a weak proofreader.
I find it tedious and unexciting. I rush through. I miss things. Sound familiar?
I’m a pretty good editor but, as you know, editing and proofreading are different. Proofreading requires sustained concentration, attention to fine detail, and a willingness to read and re-read and re-read again. Is that redundant or did I repeat myself?
We legal-writing teachers and lawyers often say that a document that is sloppy on typos, spelling, and citation form is probably sloppy on content and substantive matters. I try not to make that assumption. I give writers the benefit of the doubt because I’d like to receive that benefit, too.
I know what you’re thinking: a legal-writing teacher who proofreads poorly? Can’t be.
Yes, it can. I wrote a 220-page book and later found typos in it. Ouch. Read this blog for a while and see. [Insert smiley-face icon here]
Next: I'm sensitive about my teacher evaluations.
____________
Wayne Schiess
Director of Legal Writing | The University of Texas School of Law | Website | Seminars | Articles | Books: Preparing Legal Documents Nonlawyers Can Read and Understand
| Better Legal Writing
| Writing for the Legal Audience
| The Legal Memo: A Basic Guide
4. I’m a weak proofreader.
I find it tedious and unexciting. I rush through. I miss things. Sound familiar?
I’m a pretty good editor but, as you know, editing and proofreading are different. Proofreading requires sustained concentration, attention to fine detail, and a willingness to read and re-read and re-read again. Is that redundant or did I repeat myself?
We legal-writing teachers and lawyers often say that a document that is sloppy on typos, spelling, and citation form is probably sloppy on content and substantive matters. I try not to make that assumption. I give writers the benefit of the doubt because I’d like to receive that benefit, too.
I know what you’re thinking: a legal-writing teacher who proofreads poorly? Can’t be.
Yes, it can. I wrote a 220-page book and later found typos in it. Ouch. Read this blog for a while and see. [Insert smiley-face icon here]
Next: I'm sensitive about my teacher evaluations.
____________
Wayne Schiess
Director of Legal Writing | The University of Texas School of Law | Website | Seminars | Articles | Books: Preparing Legal Documents Nonlawyers Can Read and Understand
| Better Legal Writing
| Writing for the Legal Audience
| The Legal Memo: A Basic Guide
I think read, re-read, and re-read again is the enemy of proofreading. You may stop seeing what's there and keep missing what you're supposed to find. Just get a smart friend or your mother to proofread for you.
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If you've ever wondered why proofreading is important -- when occasional errors don't disrupt comprehension -- I have an analysis, citing Wayne's main entry, here: http://tinyurl.com/dmfq4c
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