Having your writing peer-reviewed is a valuable process that can showcase the strengths and weaknesses of your document and help take it to the next level of excellence. But sometimes it can be hard to get a quality peer review conducted. That’s why we’ve provided this free template that the person doing the review can fill in. This post will describe what a peer review is, explain why it’s important, show you how to fill out our review template, and then provide you with another valuable option if you want to make sure all your writing is flawless. What Is Peer Review? Peer review is a proces ..read more

Pronouns are versatile words that help simplify language. To avoid repetition, we use them instead of nouns or noun phrases to refer to people, places, things, or ideas. We commonly use eight types of pronouns in writing, including interrogative pronouns. In this post, we’ll tell you what interrogative pronouns are and how to use them. After that, we’ll show you example sentences for each of the five interrogative pronouns and then provide you with an opportunity for assistance if you’re still unsure of how to use these pronouns in your writing. What Is an Interrogative Pronoun? The word inter ..read more

It almost sounds like something you might see on a menu at a fast-food restaurant, but a “hamburger paragraph” is a method of essay writing often taught in schools to help students structure their paragraphs effectively. Just as a burger consists of various layers that come together to create a satisfying whole, an essay is built up of paragraphs that follow a specific structure. In this blog post, we’ll explore the concept of a hamburger paragraph and how it can serve as a handy template for essay writing. Hamburger Paragraph Template The template below lists the “ingredients” of a hamburger ..read more

In fiction, characters play a pivotal role in shaping the narrative and engaging the reader’s emotions. Two essential character roles are the protagonist and antagonist. Each uniquely contributes to the story’s development. In this post, we’ll delve into the key distinctions between these character types and explore their significance in the art of storytelling. What Is a Character Study in Fiction? Before discussing the protagonist and antagonist, we should consider the concept of a character study in fiction. A character study involves a detailed examination of a character’s traits, motivati ..read more

MLA (Modern Language Association) style is a widely used formatting style in academic writing, particularly in the humanities. It provides guidelines for various elements of a research paper, including citations, margins, spacing, and, yes, fonts. In this post, we’ll explore the intricacies of MLA formatting and help you understand what font you should use to ensure your paper adheres to the standards set by this style guide. Who Uses MLA Style? MLA is used in scholarly writing in the humanities, commonly in disciplines such as literature, linguistics, and cultural studies. The primary purpose ..read more

Restrictive clauses are a common proofreading pitfall. Understanding how to use them correctly can significantly improve your writing. In this post, we’ll explore what the basics of clauses are, what restrictive clauses are, how they differ from nonrestrictive clauses, and what writers need to know about using restrictive clauses effectively. What Is a Clause? Before we dive into restrictive clauses, let’s define what a clause is. A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a predicate (verb). Independent and dependent clauses are the two main types. Independent Clauses Independen ..read more

Adjectives are a fundamental part of speech that can make your writing more vivid and engaging. In this blog post, we’ll explore what adjectives are and why they can be confusing. We’ll also offer some valuable tips for using them effectively in your writing. What Is an Adjective? Let’s start with the basics. An adjective is a word that describes or modifies a noun, pronoun, or even another adjective. Its primary function is to provide more information about the noun it’s associated with, giving readers a clearer mental picture. For example, in the phrase “magnificent sunset,” “magnificent” is ..read more

Jane Austen was born on this day (December 16) in 1775. She is best known as the author of books like Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, and Emma. But did you know she also helped to popularize several terms and phrases that are common in modern English? It’s true! In this post, for example, we’ve picked out five everyday words and phrases that you might never have heard were it not for Jane Austen. 1. Dress a Salad Food lovers will know the phrase “dress a salad,” meaning “apply dressing to a salad.” But not many know that the first written record of this phrase comes from Jane Auste ..read more

Greetings to readers in (or from) Scotland! We reserve this extra welcome for Scots in particular since today is St. Andrew’s Day, the feast day of Scotland’s patron saint and a time for celebrating everything Scottish. Including delicious, delicious haggis. (Photo: Jonathunder/wikimedia) And since we’re always looking for an excuse to delve into etymology here at Proofed, what better time is there to examine some interesting words of Scottish origin? How many of the following do you know? 1. Bard These days, a “bard” is usually an esteemed author or poet, making “bard” a term of praise. But t ..read more

Thanksgiving is a national holiday in the USA that occurs on the fourth Thursday of each November. It is a time when Americans gather with friends and loved ones to celebrate the year’s blessings. But don’t forget that showing appreciation is a great way to maintain professional relationships, too! With that in mind, here are five top tips to help you write a Thanksgiving message to your co-workers: Acknowledge something about your co-workers that you’re grateful for. Mention something positive you’ve accomplished together. Express your sincere feelings, but keep the language professional. In ..read more