Method: Read Your Writing Backwards.

First, an apologetic note: I'm terribly sorry for missing Saturday's post. I was asleep most of Thursday and all of Friday, and also for what of Saturday that I wasn't at work, since I was struck with the flu.

Now, on to the method for today: Read your writing backwards. No, no—that does not mean you read it letter by letter so first becomes tsrif. That means you start at the end and read it one word at a time in the wrong direction.

Does that make it nonsensical? Yes. But the purpose of this particular technique is not to check for clarity, but to check to make sure the correct word was used. This method is particularly handy for catching errors like using their for there and desert for dessert.

I admit that I personally do not use this method, but I suggest the reader bear in mind that the Lord has blessed me in being very good at noticing details. I don't use this method because, by and large, I don't need to. That's me. I'm not you. You may find that this method does marvels for your writing.

In fact, if you're one of the many folks who tends to accidentally substitute some words for others, I'm pretty sure you will find this method particularly helpful.