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Library Subject Guides

Academic writing: a practical guide

Feedback on Presentation and Proofreading

Feedback on Presentation and Proofreading

Uncover essential insights into comments relating to the presentation or need for proof-reading in your work on this page.

Formatting and Presentation issues


Examples of comments


“Your formatting is inconsistent.”

“This work does not adhere to the formatting guidelines.”

“The presentation of your work could be improved.”


Comment Meaning

Such comments suggest that the assignment does not adhere to the required formatting standards for specific departments.  

Formatting is crucial for presenting content in a visually accessible and professional manner - and one that is easy to achieve.  

Students often encounter issues with presentation or formatting when left to the last minute.  


How to improve:

1. Allocate Time for Formatting

  • Set aside enough time at the end of the writing process to focus exclusively on formatting and presentation details.

2. Check Module Handbook and Assignment Brief

  • Always refer to your module handbook and Moodle assignment brief for specific formatting guidelines, as requirements can vary by assignment and department.
  • Look for specifics like font type, size, spacing, margins, page numbers, and other formatting features.

3. Understand Reference Formatting

  • Ensure you're familiar with the referencing style required for your assignment and correctly format your references as you write.
  • Familiarise yourself with the University library’s referencing guides and detailed style guides available on individual referencing websites.
  • Learn how to effectively collect, organise, cite, and manage your references with our online reference management guide.

4. Adhere to Academic Presentation Standards

  • Review and comply with your department or module’s formatting guidelines including page numbers, headers/footers, and document layout.
  • Use headings effectively and label graphics or tables clearly and relevantly.


Additional Resources

Proofreading, spelling, and grammar errors


Examples of comments


“Your ideas are good, but frequent grammatical mistakes are distracting.”

“There are numerous errors in spelling and grammar.”

“Make sure to proofread your work carefully.”


Comment Meaning

Feedback comments highlighting spelling, grammar, punctuation, or word choice issues are common, and they reflect the need for proofreading before submission

These comments suggest that, despite the value of your assignment and argument, such errors detract from the work’s overall quality and clarity

Proofreading, a crucial process involving the careful checking of text for mistakes, extends beyond grammar, spelling, and punctuation. It encompasses aspects of writing style, clarity, and structure, as well as the accuracy of numbers, references, and overall formatting.


How to improve:

1. Allocate Sufficient Time

  • Finish your assignment well before the deadline.
  • Take some time away from your work before you proofread.

2. Read Aloud

  • Read your work out loud to catch grammatical and punctuation errors.

3. Avoid On-Screen Proofreading

  • Print your document out and go through it the old-fashioned way. Use coloured pens to track any errors.

4. Focus on Specific Elements

  • Check one type of error at a time (e.g., commas, punctuation, specific names).

5. Collaborate with others

  • Try trading your work with a friend. This can be helpful in having a fresh perspective identifying errors, and checking that your structure and argument are coherent.

6. Improve your grammar


Top tip for University of York students

Are you a University of York student? Join us at the Academic Skills Community for our engaging online and in person workshops on 'Editing and Proofreading', 'Academic Grammar and Vocabulary', ‘Revise and Refine: the art of academic editing’, and ‘Beyond Spellcheck: proofreading for academic writing’, held throughout the semester.


Additional Resources