I offer free sample edits, so send me a few pages of your work to see what I can do.
Copyediting & Formatting
I correct or make suggestions for wording, grammar, consistency, flow, spelling, punctuation, and formatting. I check that references and citations match, and I tidy up reference list entries. I structure tables and figures as needed and arrange front matter, such as a list of abbreviations or table of contents.
I apply the formatting guidelines from your school or journal, defaulting to APA style for areas not specified by other guidelines.
To be specific, an edit can include any or all of these three elements:
1. Formatting
Applying APA (or your program’s/journal’s) style to
- headings
- text
- tables
- figures
- table and figure notes and copyright attributions
- references
- in-text citations
- title page
- abstract
- front matter (table of contents, list of tables, etc.)
- block quotes
- page numbers
- appendices
2. Reference and Citation Checks
I correct/add details as needed to reference list entries and in-text citations and check that each citation and entry in the reference list match.
3. Comprehensive Line Read
I read every word of the project in full, editing for APA nitpicks (hyphenation, capitalization, punctuation, etc.), fixing minor grammatical and spelling issues, editing for clarity and academic tone, ensuring consistency in terminology and abbreviations, and querying content that is confusing or contradictory.
Editing Process
I work with you throughout the editing stage of your writing. When you have a draft (or section of a draft) ready, you send it to me and get to stop thinking about it for a couple of days. I usually start with the academic backbone of the paper: citations and references. I identify any that are missing or incomplete so that you can gather those while I edit your content.
I use Microsoft Word, tracking changes and adding explanatory comments or questions as needed. You do the same when you send me the next version, and we repeat the cycle until your document is ready for submission.
Proofreading
I proofread final documents (proofs) that are about to be submitted, checking for typos and issues with layout or design. Proofreading is different than copyediting because I don’t read the content for meaning, clarity, or flow. I check for consistency and work in the format and software the proof will be submitted or published in. I do proofreading in Word, Acrobat, InDesign, PowerPoint, Google Docs, and WordPress.
Résumés, CVs, Cover Letters, and Tenure Applications
I work at the level that suits you: from tidying up wording and formatting to deep editing. When doing complete edits, I include
- keywords that recruiters, appointment committees, and human resource departments search for
- sections required by automated systems (and a text-only version that will not get mangled by online application forms)
- job descriptions with specific examples, strong action words, and results
- recent work and publications, formatted to the appropriate style (e.g., APA or AMA), summarizing older material
I’m easy to work with, quick to respond, and reliable.
I also offer bare-bones APA formatting and reference checking. See APAeditor.ca for details and pricing.