Proofreading

Resource
Grades 3-5

What is proofreading?
Proofreading is
what we call it
when we read and
correct something
that has been
written.

Things we look for

We check to see if we have a topic
sentence.
We check to see if we have written
complete sentences that make sense.
We check to see if we have capital
letters in the right places.
We check to see if our sentences
have correct punctuation marks at
the end.

Topic Sentence
The topic sentence of a paragraph
states the main idea and attracts the
reader's interest.
For example

I like zebras.
Dont eat pizza!
My name is Brian Jones.

Choose the topic sentence that

best fits the paragraph.
________________________ I am
nine years old and am in the third
grade. I like chocolate ice cream and
swimming in the lake.

A. I am a soccer player.
B. My name is Matthew Magee.
C. How old are you?

Choose the topic sentence that

best fits the paragraph.

________________________ I am nine
years old and am in the third grade. I
like chocolate ice cream and swimming
in the lake.

A. I am a soccer player.
B. My name is Matthew Magee.
C. How old are you?

Complete sentences
A complete sentence is a group of words
that expresses a complete thought
(and has a subject and a verb).
For example

I have two new friends.

That boy needs a new pair of shoes.
What is your favorite thing to eat?

Choose the answer that is

written correctly.
A. While he worked on the
computer.
B. On the computer Eric
spends his time he likes to play.
C. Eric spends his spare time
playing on the computer.
D. As Eric spent his vacation.

Choose the answer that is

written correctly.

A. While he worked on the

computer.
B. On the computer Eric spends
his time he likes to play.
C. Eric spends his spare time
playing on the computer.
D. As Eric spent his vacation.

Capital Letters
Capital letters are used at the beginning
of each sentence and for proper nouns.
For example

Do you understand me?

He has a new Nintendo.
My sisters name is Susanna.
We live in Jefferson City, Tennessee.

Which part of the sentence has a

capitalization error?
Last night | I saw Mrs. | jones at
the | school talent show.
A.
B.
C.
D.

Last night
I saw Mrs.
jones at the
school talent show.

Which part of the sentence has a

capitalization error?
Last night | I saw Mrs. | jones at
the | school talent show.
A. Last night
B. I saw Mrs.
C. jones at the
D. school talent show.

Ending Punctuation
A period is used at the end of a statement
or command. A question mark is used at the
end of a question. An exclamation point is
used at the end of an exclamatory
sentence.
For example

Please sit down.

Did you hear me?
I said, Sit down!

Choose the answer that shows the best

punctuation for the underlined part.
The girls raided the kitchen they were
hungry after the long training run.
A.
B.
C.
D.

kitchen they
kitchen. They
kitchen, they
kitchen; They

Choose the answer that shows the best

punctuation for the underlined part.
The girls raided the kitchen they were
hungry after the long training run.
A.
B.
C.
D.

kitchen they
kitchen. They
kitchen, they
kitchen; They

Proofreading Results!
When you have checked for

A topic sentence,
complete sentences,
correct capitalization, and
correct punctuation

there should be a well written paragraph!!