Proofreading

I offer proofreading services, especially to university students and academics whose first language is not English.

 

As a Plant Sciences graduate, biological subjects, especially ecology and the environment, are of particular interest to me, and I can offer a more in-depth knowledge of the appropriate technical language in these fields.  However, I am willing to consider proofreading texts in any field.


What is proofreading?

Proofreading generally means checking a text for mistakes, and correcting them.

 

What types of proofreading are there?

Proofreading is where the text requires very few changes.  I will check for spelling mistakes, punctuation mistakes, and minor grammar errors such as missing articles, misuse of gerunds and infinitives, etc.  I will not change your word choice, or help you to express your ideas more clearly or more naturally.

 

Light copyediting is where the text has some grammar and vocabulary errors.  As well as checking spellings and punctuation, I will correct grammar errors, suggest more appropriate words, and occasionally suggest ways to rephrase a sentence to make it clearer or more natural.

 

Heavy copyediting is where the text has more serious problems with grammar, vocabulary, and organisation.  I will suggest ways to organise your ideas more logically, to avoid repetition, and to improve cohesion, and also point out areas that need more explanation.  In addition, I will check spelling, punctuation, grammar, and word choice.

 

What type of proofreading do I need?

It is difficult for you to judge this!  The best thing to do is to send me your text.  I will see what kind of editing it needs, and quote you a fee for whatever I believe it requires.

 

Can you write my essay for me?

No.  In fact, there are several things that I will not do for you:

  • write a whole text
  • rewrite large sections of a text
  • check facts
  • check references or bibliographies

Academic Proofreading

If you are a student and submitting your writing to a university, you have to be careful about proofreading or you could get into trouble.  In general, I will not do heavy copyediting on academic work, only light copyediting.  Your university may have specific policies, in which case I will try to follow their rules. (For example, Oxford Brookes' policy is here.)  It's usually a good idea to:

  • check with your academic supervisors that they are happy for you to use a proofreader
  • keep a copy of the original text and the text with my notes

 

How long does it take?

I have a full time job as a teacher, so I always require at least a week for any proofreading job.  Texts longer than 2500 words will take longer than this.

 

How much does it cost?

I charge between £7.00 and £15.00 for every 1000 words, depending on what kind of editing is required and how long I estimate it will take.  To find out exactly how much it will cost, send me your text and we will agree a price before I start work.

 

I always reserve the right to refuse to edit texts that are:

  • too poorly written to be worth my time.
  • plagiarised

Enquiries

Send me an email via the contact page, explaining briefly: 

  • what kind of text you want edited
  • how many words it is
  • when you need it by

I will then reply to say if this seems possible, you email me the text, I will tell you how much it will cost, and if you agree, I will do the work.