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Proof Reading or editing: what do you need?

Proof reading

involves finding and correcting basic errors in spelling, punctuation, typography, paragraphing, and layout.


 

Copy editing

takes you to the next stage: here, grammar and usage are considered, along with tone and style. Copy editing also involves imposing a standard or 'house' style on a document, ensuring that spelling is consistently Australian or English or American; that acceptable word variants (eg 'judgement' or 'judgment') are made uniform; that italics and underlinings and capitalizations are consistent throughout; that chapter headings, sections, and large portions of text will appear on page in a consistent format.

We recommend copy editing for novels and other light works .


 

Substantive editing

considers clarity of expression, logic, consistency, and organization. This involves revising clumsy or unclear phrasing, correcting syntax and paragraph structure, suggesting alternative phrasing, removing repetitions, noting places where clarification is required, and checking that titles, names, foreign phrases, and other fiddly bits (such as Oxford commas) are presented in a consistent manner.

We recommend substantive editing for theses and serious non-fiction works.


 

Formatting

will also be undertaken if requested, at any stage of proof reading or editing. If needed, we will format a document to a publisher's house style.


 


What we do not do

we make no permanent changes to your manuscript. Every alteration is noted so that you have the final say at every stage of production. Some formatting changes may not be marked in text edited on-line, but these will be noted in the accompanying written report.

 

What we need

A copy of the manuscript. This can be a paper copy or a Word document sent as an e-mail attachment
A covering note requesting the service required
A self-addressed red postal bag if you have sent a paper copy


 

Costs

$60 per hour for all services.

We specialise in editing academic papers and theses
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Please call us at (08) 9457 4056 or write to discuss your needs and the costs involved. We are happy to give estimates and to offer a maximum charge for the work. Please provide a word count of the document.


 

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