It is crucial that you understand the kind of editing services you need at a given time. At different stages in the writing process, different services will be required.
The list below shows some of the most common editing services. Learners should expect to engage in these editing strategies on their own time throughout the writing process, but the time and energy that you will need to spend on your programs makes it important to hire a professional.
Heavy editing typically performed on a complete draft. Editors performing this service will focus on the clarity, coherence and completeness of your work.
This involves a line-by-line review of sections or the entirety of your work to suggest improvements with conciseness and clarity. This helps identify and trim down redundant or unnecessary content.
Copy editing is similar to line editing, but it is less focused and usually less expensive. Editors performing this service focus on grammar, punctuation, spelling and other mechanical errors.
Professional proofreading is the most cost-effective with completed work. This involves a general search for mechanical errors and formatting.
Hiring an editor is important, but outsourcing to willing friends, colleagues or family is an effective way to get additional perspectives on your work. When it comes to editing your own work, it is helpful to set finished writing aside for several days or even weeks before editing. This is called cold reading, and it prevents learners from reading their work too favorably.
Are you ready to take the next step into your career? Consider enrolling at Grand Canyon University’s College of Doctoral Studies. Learners in our programs have access to a wide range of academic resources like the Center for Innovation in Research and Teaching (CIRT) to guide and support dissertation research, writing and publication. To learn more about our programs, visit our website or click on the Request More Information button on this page.
Written by Samuel Sprague, a public policy major at Grand Canyon University.