In order to understand how computer software can score
your timed writings, you will need to review and understand
a number of scoring rules.  First, you should remember that
only one error can be charged to each dictionary word.  And
just what is a word?  In addition to the letters that spell
it, for error scoring a word includes all punctuation marks
that are directly attached to it, such as commas, quotation
marks, and periods.  Also ruled to be a part of the word is
the blank space that follows its keying.  Following the end
of a timing all error words are indicated by a red marking.
     Thus, all the words that contain a keystroke error are
immediately pointed out to the keyboarder.  The typewriting
practice of having to proofread the copy and circle each of
the words possessing a misstroke is no longer employed.  In
fact, the correct form of each of the marked error words is
provided in a column to the right of the entered copy.  The
problem with proofreading typed copy was that it required a
large amount of class time, and a high percentage of errors
were not located.  However, proofreading, or the ability to
locate keystroke errors, is a valuable language arts skill.