I was so pleased to get it right that it took a better editor than me to point out that the word I wanted was reconnaissance. If you don't know the difference between their and there, heirs and hairs, the spellchecker isn't much help. An old proofreading trick is to read a piece backwards, one word at a time. This forces you to consider every word out of context, helping you identify errors, or find more appropriate words. And don't use the first word that comes to mind.
Good diction makes for better writing.
These are not the only elements you should monitor as you develop your self-editing skills. But you can use these as a base on which to build your own checklist, adding weaknesses that re-occur in your writing, and things that others point out when they review your work. Then check your writing against it as you work to make your writing the best it can be. The editor will thank you. Lois J. Peterson s stories and articles have published essays in a wide range of magazines and newspapers.