American Marketing Association Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) Content Marketing Practice Exam

When you proofread your copy, you should read forward for _____ and then backward for _____.

1. spelling errors; punctuation and grammar

2. punctuation and grammar; spelling errors

3. punctuation and spelling errors; grammar

4. grammar; punctuation and spelling errors

The correct answer is: punctuation and grammar; spelling errors

When proofreading your copy, reading forward for punctuation and grammar allows you to assess the flow and structure of the text in a manner that resembles how a reader will engage with it. This approach helps to identify any awkward phrasing or incorrect grammatical structures that could disrupt the reader's understanding. Once you've taken a look at the text from that perspective, reading backward can be particularly effective for spotting spelling errors. When you read backward, you focus on individual words without getting distracted by the context or flow of the sentences. This technique enhances your ability to notice mistakes that might otherwise blend in during a more holistic reading approach. This methodology ensures a comprehensive review of your writing, enhancing the overall quality by focusing on different elements in a structured way. This two-pronged approach to proofreading is widely recognized as an effective strategy in content marketing and other forms of written communication.