Which statement correctly describes the aim of proofreading in report writing?

• A. To ensure the document adheres to mandated word counts.
• B. To catch errors that may have been overlooked during editing.
• C. To reformat the document for a new audience.
• D. To add citations and references.

Answer: (B)

Proofreading is the final polish that catches errors editing may have missed, ensuring the document is accurate and easy to read. It focuses on surface-level details like typos, misspellings, punctuation, grammar, formatting, and consistency in dates, numbers, and headings. This step aims to produce a professional, credible report by eliminating distractions caused by small mistakes. Tasks like meeting a word count, reformatting for a different audience, or adding citations are handled in other parts of the writing process; proofreading’s primary purpose is to fix the remaining errors and ensure a clean, consistent final product.