Proofreading Irony
The most beneficial skill I tried to pass along to my students was the ability to proofread. Sure it may add an extra day to that one big research project we do each year, but the pay off is worth it (i.e. a lot less tears when grading first-draft quality papers)!
Grading Rules #1 for Writing: Never grade first drafts.
GIF Break!
The best, easiest, and most pragmatic way to get students to proofread is to teach them about the Sinister Symptoms. I first learned about the Sinister Symptoms from Dr. Priscilla Griffith at the Oklahoma Writing Project, OU.
Removing the Sinister Symptoms from writing increases clarity. The symptoms include: whooery, whichery, thatery, it aches, there aches, Department of Redundancy Department, Well Duh, and adversities.
For more information about the Sinister Symptoms, download Dr. Griffith’s handout below: