A text's meaning is, in part, independent of its form. Reading, most of the time, is taking meaning--not words--from the printed page, while proofreading requires attention to form rather than meaning. The author notes that: (1) a meaningful passage is easier to read than one with less meaning; (2) errors in oral reading usually do not obscure a passage's meaning; (3) a reader does not need to see the text to completely understand the passage; and (4) the larger the context, the greater the redundancy and the less the reader must depend upon the text to understand its meaning. Omitted words can be understood from context. Given these points, it is not surprising that many students have difficulty proofreading effectively. They check for ease of comprehension instead of focusing on form. By directing their attention to needed revisions and encouraging frequent rereading of papers, however, teachers can help students shift their attention from their intended meaning to the marks on the page. (MM)