Editing Services

Proofreading

This is the last quality check in the editorial process.  You’ll get your text checked line by line as I look for any errors and give a final polish to your work.

I will check:

  • Spelling, punctuation or grammatical errors
  • Consistency in style and layout – headers, fonts, font sizes
  • Consistency in spellings, capitalisation, numbers, hyphenation
  • Correct word usage
  • Correct captioning and numbering of illustrative materials, including graphs, tables and, photos
  • To ensure that a style guide has been followed if there is one
  • Page numbering and breaks in the text
  • The last proof will be checked against any previous ones to make sure necessary changes were made (if the document is already typeset).

If there is no style guide provided, I will create one outlining style decisions that I have made and followed.

Red pen on top of a sheet of text that has been corrected
A magnifying glass resting on an open dictionary

Proof-editing

Proof-editing is a mix of copy editing and proofreading. It can involve changing some words or sentences to help the flow, as well as proofreading. It focuses on making your text audience-friendly, maintaining flow and readability, and may include some fact checking. 

I will check:

  • Correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation is used
  • Consistency in spelling, fonts, numbering and punctuation
  • Correct word usage
  • Consistency in dialect (e.g. American or British English)
  • Ambiguous or overly-complicated sentences will be fixed or pointed out
  • Style, against a guide if used or one will be created.

Proof-editing of translated texts

I understand how difficult it is to write in a foreign language. No matter how much you study or check words in a dictionary, ‘sounding English’ is difficult. Languages are formed differently, and what may sound good in one is not necessarily right for another.  Here I will work through your document looking at spelling, punctuation, grammar and syntax to help you communicate more naturally in English and put across your ideas clearly.

I will check:

  • Spelling and punctuation
  • Correct grammar use and sentence formation
  • Consistency in spelling, fonts, numbering and punctuation
  • Use of correct words and phrases
  • Any ambiguous or overly-complicated sentences, and suggest a way to rephrase
  • The flow and clarity of the document, and suggest edits if they are needed.
Red pen that is correcting a sheet of written text

Rates

As your project is specific to you, a one-size-fits-all approach to costing is not possible. I will ask to speak to you to learn more about your work, and to see a sample so that I can provide you with an accurate quote.

I will usually work to a fixed fee or an hourly rate, depending on the type of service you need. The Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading provides some suggested rates.

‘I have had the pleasure of working with Michelle on a proofreading project, and since then, she has consistently been my go-to choice whenever I need assistance with English texts. Michelle is an excellent professional in her field. She is precise, detail-oriented, and has a deep understanding of the English language - her professionalism, accuracy, and linguistic expertise are a valuable asset to any editing or English text revision project’.
M Pelagallo