Proofreading
My proofreading service includes:
- Thoroughly reading through your text checking for errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling and syntax.
- Looking for any inconsistencies in your text, such as variations in the use of hyphenation, spelling, capital letters and italics.
- Checking that any acronyms in the text have been defined at first mention.
- Checking for inconsistencies in the formatting, layout and style of your document. If you have provided me with a specific house style, I will check that this style sheet has been adhered to.
- Checking the numbering sequences of lists, captions, chapter headings, sections and page numbers.
- Ensuring that the text description in a caption corresponds with the correct figure/table and with the text.
- Checking the cross-references of tables, figures and appendices.
- Checking the text of your bibliography for errors in grammar, punctuation and spelling.
- Ensuring that any references cited in the text are listed in the bibliography.
Proof-editing
This service includes all of the items listed in my proofreading service with the addition of a light copy-editing element. This service is particularly suited to non-fiction (e.g. a company report, promotional material or a magazine article) that has not undergone any prior formal revision or copy-editing but needs a little more editing than a straightforward proofread.
My proof-editing service includes:
- Sense checking your work and alerting you to any issues with the overall clarity of expression (e.g. awkwardly worded phrases or overly long sentences).
- Drawing your attention to any problems with the organisation and logical flow of your text.
- Checking your text for wordiness, ambiguities, repetition and redundant phrases.
- Ensuring that your text has appropriate paragraph and section breaks.
- Alerting you to any non-inclusive or potentially problematic language.
- Making sure that your text is suitable for its intended audience.
Please note that this service is not recommended as a substitute for copy-editing for works of fiction as it does not include any substantial rewriting of your text or developmental editing. If you feel that your work needs substantive revision you may need a copy-editor’s services. In this case, please refer to the Directory of Editorial Services on the CIEP website.
Academic manuscript editing services
This service is specifically aimed at authors of academic journal articles. It is particularly suitable for authors for whom English is their second language. It includes all of the items listed in my proofreading and proof-editing services as well as the following:
- Formatting your text according to target journal requirements.
- If necessary, reducing the word count to ensure that your manuscript complies with journal submission guidelines.
- Checking that the title of your article is relevant to the text.
- Alerting you to any required missing elements, e.g. keywords, conflict of interest statement, funding information.
- Alerting you to any statements/facts that have been cited without an appropriate citation.
- Ensuring that your reference style adheres to your target journal specifications.
- Alerting you to any missing elements in references.
Please note that this service does not include plagiarism checks or fact checking. It also does not include checking the accuracy and validity of your references.