EDITING

The various levels of editing available are detailed here. You can specify the type or level of editing that is appropriate to your needs. For example, if you only want the document text to be proofread for errors and typos, this will be completed faster than a document that requires substantive editing and formatting.

As a general guide, I tend to work to the following speeds when editing documents: Light editing (proofreading): 2000 to 2800 words per hour, Medium editing (copyediting): 1300 to 1900 words per hour, Heavy (substantive) editing: 700 to 1200 words per hour.

PROOFREADING

Language corrections: Correct spelling, punctuation, grammar, syntax and general English errors.
Language consistency: Establish consistent use of abbreviations, capitalisation, hyphenation, spelling and terminology.
Appropriate use of language: Check word usage, grammar, tone and format.

COPYEDITING - as proofreading, and also including:

Accuracy: Ensure that title and headings reflect content. Check that explanations of terms and abbreviations are included. Check placement and consistency of tables and figures.
Consistency of subject: Reorganise text and paragraphs to improve flow and sense of the discussion.
Referencing: Check the referencing syntax. Check accuracy of cross references and bibliography.

SUBSTANTIVE EDITING - as above, and also including:

Clarity of subject: Remove waffle, jargon and inappropriate terms.
Content review: Evaluate the overall structure, content and fitness for purpose. In consultation with the author, restructure or rewrite passages where necessary and reduce word count as required.
Language and style: Ensure the language is appropriate to the readership and that information is presented clearly and concisely. Rework confusing and awkward writing.

FORMATTING

Visual consistency: Suggest or implement improvements to page layout, headings, alignment, spacing, margins, indentations, page breaks, typography, figures and tables.
Literary consistency: Establish a consistent and appropriate format in areas such as page numbers, quotations, references, citations, footnotes and endnotes.
Other services: Preparation of contents pages and summaries. Creating and improving tables, diagrams, charts and graphs.

Examples of documents edited in the past:

• An 80,000 word PhD thesis on managerial decision making
• Two 20,000 word MBA dissertations on integrated healthcare and affirmative action
• 90-page workbook about business start up and diversification
• 40-page document about setting up and running your own company
• 40-page report about lifelong learning initiatives for nurses
• 30-page essay on holistic psychotherapy for student's MA course

To see a document before and after it has been edited and formatted, click here.