Which service best matches your project?
Different services may be relevant at different developmental stages of a text.
Giving the words a final polish
If you wish me to proofread your writing, I will be:
- checking spelling, grammar, and punctuation
- checking consistent use of already correctly-spelt words (such as —ise or —ize endings, and —t or —ed endings; such as southeast or south-east or south east)
- checking capital letters are used consistently and correctly
- checking numbers are presented consistently
- checking fonts are used consistently
- checking page numbers
- checking quotes are referenced
- checking illustrations and figures are in the right place, and labelled correctly
- checking your organisation's house style has been applied correctly, if it has one
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Proofreading servicePulling a text together at a draft stage
If you wish me to copy-edit your text, I will be:
- making sure the text hangs together and is internally consistent
- making sure the level of language is appropriate for its target audience
- making sure the text is the right length for the job
- making sure page numbers, headings, sub-headings, footnotes, references, and the running headers and footers on each page are all present and correct
- making sure the contents page matches the section headings, and that headings and sub-headings help readers' understanding
- suggesting minor re-wording, to make the language easier to read or to avoid ambiguity
- suggesting structural improvements, if needed
- suggesting possible improvements for communicating facts, for example, where a block of text could perhaps be replaced by an illustration or figure, or a hyperlink to another web page
- flagging up anything that seems unclear
- flagging up where there appear to be bits missing from the text
- flagging up any obvious factual mistakes or dubious statements
- flagging up any obvious copyright, moral or libel issues
- and carrying out all the checks included in the proofreading list
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Copy-editing servicePresenting text in a certain style, e.g. shorter, simpler, or suitable for the web
If you wish me to re-write your English text, I will be following your brief as to how your existing text needs altering to suit its new purpose.
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Re-writing serviceTurning raw information into logical and fluent text
If you wish me to write some text or web content in English using information you have already sourced, I will be following your brief as to its intended audience, style of language, house style, length, etc.
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Writing service