Proofreading In The Publishing Industry
You might be wondering how proofreading is performed and what it involves in the publishing industry. Well, wonder no longer because our short guide will hopefully answer your questions.
• The Process Simplified
Proofreading in the publishing industry is essentially a review that is performed during the more advanced stages of the publishing process. Once the piece of text (for example, a book) has been read, reread, edited, reviewed and rechecked, it is delivered to the graphic production team who will pour the manuscript into a design document, usually in a specialised application such as Adobe InDesign or QuarkXPress.
At this time, the text leaves the hands of its editor and its author and can no longer work with the correction functions of the word processors. Each editorial establishes how many corrections are made, but quality control requires two to three, as a minimum.
This correction is no longer done on the screen, unless it is done in a PDF file, because it is essential that the formed page remains as it is seen in the design program.
In addition, not only is the text revised, but other elements, such as spaces, headers, non-textual elements, the division of words, rivers and streets (spaces between words and blocks of text), rosaries (sequences of characters similar to the beginning or end of the lines), all sorts of errata are addressed.
• How test corrections are performed
Since the fidelity of the page is crucial, the use of paper printing and freehand annotations still dominates in making corrections. Many proofreaders still use a red pen, a pencil, some additional colour for other annotations (green or purple) and many sticky notes, to put extra comments, to make general marks, to differentiate chapters etc.
When you are unfortunate enough to have to add or correct a whole paragraph - something that should only happen occasionally, sometimes it is useful to type the paragraph in a word processor, print it and stick it with tape.
So the craft is the process, because it is worth many hours of work and must flow between the person doing the graphic editing and proofreading.
Can proofreading be avoided?
Whether or not proofreading is one of the big differences between good and bad editions, is open for debate. This is essentially a quality control system to filter out, before the final product. The small imperfections that remain in the text sometimes are unavoidable, despite previous efforts.
Do you need training to do proofreading?
Definitely.
Can you make style corrections when proofreading?
Never.
From time to time a comma, a cacophony, a reiteration will be detected. From time to time there will be a meaningless phrase that will need the arrangement of a verb or the change of a word. From time to time there will be a macaronic paragraph, extensive and lost that everyone overlooks - but only once in a while.
Style corrections in proofreading should be minimal. The quantity itself will depend on the length of the text, but the percentage must be low in proportion to the entire text.
True style correction should be done earlier, when paragraph movement, insertion of titles, rewriting of texts, or cutting of verbiage do not have an impact on the formed pages of the book. Otherwise, there would be a great waste of resources and, instead of gaining time, it would be quickly lost.
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The Cost of Proofreading a PhD Thesis
Proofreading a PhD Thesis
Proofreading a PhD Thesis can be a vast task and may require considerable time, for this reason you may wish to hire the services of a professional proofreading service. The costs can vary depending on which company you select. Generally speaking a reputable firm is most likely to charge you a rate based on per 1,000 words of your PhD thesis.
Proofreading a PhD Thesis Prices
From our experience market prices for proofreading a PhD thesis can vary between £8 per 1,000 words to as much as £16 per 1,000 words. When selecting a company we would however, recommend looking into the history of the company, does it appear that they are reputable and long established? Do they have positive reviews? Providing you are happy with these factors it is then a case of balancing the costs and merits of using a particular service.
Our Proofreading Prices
At Express Proofreading we receive many enquires and orders from students and academics wishing to have their PhD thesis proofread. Our prices for our proofreading and editing service start from £11 per 1,000 words. However, for documents greater than 50,000 words we are able to offer a discount and reduce this price to £9 per 1,000 words, we believe this to be amongst the most competitive prices for such a service on the market.
Our Services
If you wish to find out more information about our academic proofreading services, please visit the academic proofreading page. Alternatively feel free to contact us and our team will be more than happy to assist you.
How To Write A Professional Practice Dissertation
What is a Professional Practice Dissertation?
A professional practice dissertation is a dissertation that has a practical focus and is often used in practice focussed Masters Courses. The aim of it is to give you the opportunity to demonstrate originality in tackling and solving problems taking into account practical considerations, acting autonomously in planning and implementing tasks, whilst advancing your own knowledge and understanding. It is also aimed to develop independent learning and research skills that are required for continuing professional development.
Key considerations
The first thing to consider is what your title will be, it is important to pick a topic that will enable you to adequately consider the subject from a practical perspective and ultimately provide insightful recommendations to practitioners. As a professional practice dissertation is typically in the form of a report its contents should be practically focussed with recommendations that would assist those practising in the field. For this reason you should choose a topic which you think has a reasonable amount of literature and content that you can use for research. You should also consider people who practice in those areas and see what they are writing about in their blogs.
Research your Dissertation
A professional practice dissertation just like any type of dissertation will require extensive research. You should consider a wide range of different types of sources. It is important not to over rely on any one source or type of source.
It is also important that you show familiarity with, and engagement with, the range of academic writing and content that is relevant to your project, as well as contextualising these into a practical context. It is important that you go beyond relying on a small number of textbooks. Crucially you will need to show that you have sought out journal articles, especially from peer reviewed journals. Material published in peer reviewed journals may well be more up to date and more focused than some other sources. Also if the journal is peer reviewed then the article will have been examined by one or two experts anonymously prior to publication, so there is a guarantee of quality.
Structure
A professional practice dissertation like other types of dissertations will normally be structured around chapters (or maybe sections), including introductory and concluding chapters. Within chapters headings and even sub-headings may be used. A table of contents, a title page, an abstract page and an acknowledgements page. If there are no University guidelines as to formatting then see if you can obtain a copy of a good quality dissertation example to see how it is set out.
It is also a good idea to use signalling to help the reader understand how the chapters, sections, paragraphs are linked. Thus the beginning of a chapter may refer back to the previous chapter and the overall argument; the end of a chapter might want to refer to the next stage of the argument. Moreover, check each paragraph: Does it link to the next paragraph?
Bibliography
You will usually be expected to include a bibliography. Again each institution may have its own version of how this should be presented. A few matters to bear in mind: Any bibliography should distinguish between primary and secondary sources. Most importantly, make sure you use the citation system precisely and consistently.
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To obtain an instant quote for us to proofread your work, click the Instant Quote button below and upload your document and our Quote Generator will calculate an instant quote based upon the word count of your document. Once you are happy with your quote, you can then proceed to our secure checkout page.
How To Become A Proofreader
Many people regard proofreading as a job that offers a great deal of flexibility, as it can be done in the comfort of your own home, from your laptop and provides the opportunity to freelance. This is partly because the role has become increasingly more in demand in recent years as it is a key part of the digital economy and ensures that online content is ready for publication. With the speed at which content is produced online many companies now have professional proofreaders, either through agencies or on a freelance basic checking their content.
However, how do I become a proofreader? You may be asking yourself. Unlike many jobs there are no set requirements or standard qualifications or even a standard route to becoming a professional proofreader. However, it is generally expected that proofreaders should be degree educated and have relevant qualifications in the area in which they wish to practice.
Options to work as a proofreader
In essence there are two ways to be employed as a proofreader. You can pursue a physical office based job as a proofreader, many large companies will have large teams of proofreaders alongside their writers to review their content. There is also the option to consider freelancing, this may involve applying to a specialist proofreading service to work with them, or seeking your own work through advertisements.
If you are considering applying to a proofreading service to be added as a freelance editor, your first step should be to make a shortlist of potential companies that you could work with, do your research and find out as much information about them as possible. Once you have a list of proofreading services that you like the look of, write to the relevant contact, attaching your CV, highlighting your achievements and qualifications.
The salary of proofreaders
Salaries can vary and would depend on the exact nature of the role. However, on the whole proofreading is a specialist profession which requires a high degree of skills and relevant qualifications. Therefore, typically it is advised that proofreaders should charge £22.75 per hour of work.
Applying as a freelance proofreader
If you are considering applying to become a freelance proofreader, we would suggest considering Proof Right they offer specialist proofreading services for academics and businesses and are always actively looking to add experienced freelancers to their team.
Factors To Consider When Using Online Proofreading Services
The Importance of Proofreading Content
Proofreading can be defined as the act of finding and correcting mistakes in copies before their final submission/publication. It is therefore an important part of the writing process for all content whether it is for academic or business purposes. Ensuring the accuracy of writing is also pivotal in conveying a professional tone and image. As a result, the demand for online proofreading services has grown to cater for this. The growth can partly be explained by the spread of the English language across the globe. There are many world languages, however English now appears to be the most common one across the globe due to its convenience. Therefore, people are more likely to publish their work in English, write their novels in English and also prepare their company literature in the English language. As for many English is not their first language, English proofreading becomes essential.
The Convenience of Using a Proofreading Service
Online proofreading services therefore offer convenience to people across the world to have their work proofread and edited with quick turnaround times. However, at the same time there is also a risk with online proofreading services and it is centred on the quality and reliability of the service chosen.
Risks of Using an Online Proofreading Service
Firstly, because there are limited barriers to entry online, people can falsely claim to be editors without the necessary qualifications. There is also the issue of quality, this can vary considerably depending on which online proofreading service you choose to use. On top of this there is also the added security concern as many online proofreading services are simply contracting work out and hiring freelancers, this is perfectly fine if they have been adequately vetted, however without thorough checks this not only compromises quality but also undermines the confidentiality of your document and raises security concerns.
What to Look for to Avoid the Risks
It is therefore essential that you check the reputation of the online proofreading service you are thinking of using, you can do this by googling their name to see what comes up and if there are any negative reviews. You should also ideally speak to them or contact them to ask any specific questions you may have. You should also at this point clarify the background and qualifications of their editors. Taking these step is essential when considering using an online proofreading service and will safeguard you against the potential risks.
About Our Proofreading Services
At Express Proofreading we offer a professional online proofreading service for academics, businesses and writers. We also specialise in content creation so we are able to utilise our extensive experience to assist you in creating perfect copy. As part of our proofreading service we will ensure that your work is not only free from spelling mistakes and grammatical errors but we will also check syntax, sentence structure and are able to recommend improvements and suggestions that may be relevant to your work.
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Academic Essay Writing Process
Academic essay writing is a seminal requirement of most educational institutions. However, it is something that often perplexes many students when they are learning the process. Academic essay writing can be simplified if you follow certain patterns and steps. Over the last 10 years technology has enhanced and improved the educational landscape making it easier than ever before to obtain information. Therefore, academic essay writing if anything has become easier to master. In this articles we cover many tips and techniques to help you with your academic essay writing.
Understand the Question
Although this may sound basic. This is one of the most important elements of good essay writing. All essays at all academic institutions are first and foremost testing your ability to understand the question and provide a logical, relevant answer. Therefore, read and re-read the question making sure you understand exactly what it is asking you to do. If you are not sure, ask your friends or your tutors, as if you get this wrong, making irrelevant points will no doubt affect your marks.
Research your Subject Area
The next step after you understand what the essay question is asking you to do is to research the area. In recent years it has become easier than ever before to obtain relevant, high quality information. Many libraries now have online catalogues of their books, there are numerous websites which will be useful sources. However as a guide, although you should use websites and blogs for useful information and to help you understand the topics, after you have considered them, then move to the more rigorous materials, such as books and journals. You can use Wikipedia for basic information, however use it with caution as it will be available to everyone and you will want to make your work appear well researched, you can only do this by using a wide variety of sources.
Plan your Academic Essay
After researching your subject matter thoroughly, the next academic essay writing step is to plan. As you now have a good understanding of the topic, you can logically visualise where information would go and in what order in the essay. So you should start by planning headings, such as introduction, discussion, analysis etc. For each, briefly note what you will discuss as each point. This is important as it will help your essay to flow logically.
Paragraph Linking
One of the arts of good academic essay writing is the flow. Key to this is how one paragraph flows nicely onto the next. To master this, you first need to focus on covering one or two main points in each paragraphs. Once you have ended a point, you can then link this to the next paragraph by covering the converse point or argument. For example starting the next paragraph with ‘However, it could be argued that..’.
Short, Concise Conclusion
The final element of a good academic essay will be a short, sharp, concise conclusion. The conclusion is your chance to summarise your key points not to make any new points. You will need to summarise key points and add your own view to suggest where on the balance of probabilities your opinion now lies. For example saying something such as ‘It is the view of this author that on the balance of probabilities..’.
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To obtain an instant quote for us to proofread your work, click the Instant Quote button below and upload your document and our Quote Generator will calculate an instant quote based upon the word count of your document. Once you are happy with your quote, you can then proceed to our secure checkout page.
Personal Statement Help and Tips
Writing a personal statement as part of your UK University application can be a daunting task. However, there is much advice and personal statement help out there. The first thing to remember is the purpose of the personal statement. The aim of this is to demonstrate why you should be offered a place over others. Therefore, it is important to make your personal statement as strong as possible. In this article we set out where you can get further personal statement help from, as well as our tips for writing a strong personal statement.
The Word Count
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) personal statement is limited to 4,000 characters, roughly 700 words. This may sound like a lot, however when you consider all the points that you will want to get across, it is not as much as you would think. Therefore it is important to plan and be well prepared even before you begin writing your personal statement.
What to Cover
In your personal statement you need to cover a number of important points, the following are some of the important questions that you should address to make a strong impression;
- Your reasons for wanting to study the course.
- Why you are the right candidate for the course.
- What extracurricular activities have you done.
- What skills do they demonstrate, how are they relevant to your course.
- How does this link to your chosen career path.
- Conclude with a positive summary of your strengths.
Plan and Structure
Before you begin writing you should plan what you want to say, for example for your reasons for wanting to study the course, make a list of them. Then narrow them down to the best and the ones most unique and personal to you. The most important thing when it comes to writing a personal statement is to make it unique and personal, so it stands out and shows what kind of a person you are. Once you have a plan and a structure, start writing. You can find more personal statement help directly on the UCAS website or by consulting their useful personal statement mind map.
Include Academic Interests
The personal statement is a key part of your application to study a particular course at University, it is therefore important to highlight and demonstrate your academic interests. Ideally, you should devote around 60-70% of your personal statement to your academic motivations. In order to address your academic motivations you should ask yourself some of the following questions when preparing:
- Is there a particular area of the subject that I can demonstrate an interest or insight in? Do I have experience writing an essay which is a core part of the course and shows my enthusiasm for the course?
- What steps have I taken to demonstrate an awareness and insight into what studying the course involves? Have I studied relevant subjects to the course before? If so, what have I learned about the subject and what is involved in pursuing the subject further? Have I attended lectures, field trips or events dedicated to the subject matter of the course I am applying to?
- Why do I want to study this subject? What transferrable skills have I obtained from my current subjects that will help me on this course?
Link to Extra-curricular Interests
In addition to your academic interests, it is also important to emphasise your extra-curricular interests, as this demonstrates that you are a well-rounded person with a wide variety of skills. Whilst talking about your extra-curricular interests you can also link this to your motivations for applying to your chosen subject, for example playing a particular sport may demonstrate an attention to detail that is required on your chosen course. There are a number of things that you can refer to:
- Any part-time work you have undertaken will demonstrate practical, real life skills, even if it is not in your chosen career it will still highlight skills that are relevant and important.
- Volunteering is also good to highlight, whether it was as part of your Duke of Edinburgh, or simply volunteering at a charity shop it will demonstrate empathy and commitment.
- Achievements are also important as they will help distinguish you from other applicants, not everyone will have the same achievements and awards therefore it is essential that you emphasise these.
- Hobbies and interests, such as your interests in sports, or reading or any other hobbies will also help to personalise your personal statement making it unique and demonstrating a well-rounded character.
Referring to Career Interests
In addition to detailing your academic and extra-curricular interests you should also refer to your career interests. However, the extent to which you cover this will depend upon your chosen course, if for example you are applying to a vocational course such as teaching or medicine, then this will be important. For such vocational courses it will add an extra element highlighting your career ambitions and will show that you have researched the area well.
Even if you are not applying for a vocational course but you know what career you would like to pursue, referring to this will show that you have thoroughly thought through your chosen course. However, it is not essential to discuss your career interests, mentioning that you are keeping an open minded will be just as acceptable.
Writing the Personal Statement
You may think that this is the hardest part, however the hardest part would have been the planning. Once you have a plan it is just about getting those ideas down and elaborating on some of the points. Your aim initially is to make a first draft, this by no means needs to be perfect. However it gives you something to work with and to improve upon.
Personal Statement Proofreading
After you have edited and revised your personal statement a number of times, it is time to proofread your personal statement, this is the final stage, your aim by this point is to make it flawless. Get as many people as possible to check your personal statement, your friends, your family, your teachers. This will give you the peace of mind to submit your personal statement with confidence knowing you have done your best!
Personal Statement Review Service
At Express Proofreading, we understand the vital role a Personal Statement plays in the application process today. We’re committed to helping you write to the best of your ability whilst still retaining ownership of your work. As part of our University Personal Statement editing and review service we will not only proofread your Personal Statement to ensure that it has no grammatical errors but we also recommend changes that may assist you in writing an engaging and compelling Personal Statement that stands out from the crowd.
What is proofreading?
Proofreading vs Copy Editing
If you are at the stage of considering hiring an editor to review your work it is important that you both set clear expectations. Setting clear expectations in what you expect, or simply clarifying the services offered by the editor. In the proofreading and editing field there are a number of terms and labels that are used to refer to similar tasks, knowing the difference is essential for transparency.
What is proofreading?
Many people often ask ‘what is proofreading?’ as they confuse the different editorial terms. Proofreading is the process of examining the final draft of a document or text — after it has been edited — this is to ensure that there are absolutely no errors. A proofreader will review your writing for spelling errors, punctuation errors, typos or incorrect use of regional English (i.e. ensuring that you are using American English or British English when necessary).
A professional proofreading service will typically proofread your work using track changes in Microsoft Word, this is to ensure transparency so you know exactly what has been changed and can approve the change.
Although in the majority of cases proofreading is now done electronically, proofreading can also be done on a printed version (also referred to as a “hard copy”) or PDF. In such situations you may need to familiarise yourself with the proofreaders shorthands and symbols they use to indicate changes.
What is Editing?
When you are looking to hire the services of a professional editor, your objective is to hire someone to review and change your text with the intent to improve the flow and overall quality of your writing. Unlike a proofreader an editor has the freedom to remove entire sentences or rewrite entire paragraphs. A good editor will correct any obvious errors they come across as they edit your writing. Essentially their main goal is to use their expertise and intuition to ensure that the document makes sense, flows well and to cut down on wordiness, and clarify any ambiguity in your writing.
What is Copyediting?
Copyediting a document in essence is similar to proofreading it. Although with the added expectation of ensuring style consistency. Copyediting is also known as “sub-editing” in places such as the UK, Australia and elsewhere.
When you are looking for a copyeditor, it is important to ensure that they have the talented eye of a proofreader, as well as additional expertise in matters of different styles of writing. Some measures of consistency include making sure names, locations and dates are always treated the same way throughout the text. A copyeditor will also have expert knowledge of different style guides and may also perform fact-checking or have specialised knowledge in a particular field.
To Summarise:
An editor
- Rewrites sentences and paragraphs to improve flow
- Makes the text clearer and more understandable for the reader
- Uses their expertise and knowledge to clarify and improve text
A proofreader
- Goes beyond the “spellcheck” to catch errors a computer may miss
- Ensures that there are zero grammatical errors, often after it has already been edited
A copyeditor
- Proofreads, with an added expertise in order to ensure style consistency appropriate to the publication
Obtain an instant quote for our proofreading and editing service
At Express Proofreading we offer a professional proofreading service for students, academics, businesses and authors. We are able to ensure that your work is not only free from spelling mistakes and grammatical errors but we also check syntax, sentence structure and are able to recommend improvements and suggestions that are relevant to your work. We will also check that your tables and footnotes are accurate and consistent with your bibliography.
To obtain an instant quote for us to proofread and edit your work, visit the Instant Quote page and upload your document and our Quote Generator will calculate an instant quote for you based upon the word count of your document.