Q: Proofreading vs copyediting… what’s the difference?
A: In a nutshell: proofreading is a science, editing is an art.
Proofreading – the last stage in the writing process – follows certain rules. I focus on correcting fundamental mistakes such as grammatical, typographical, spelling and punctuation errors, as well as other more minor anomalies. I will, however, let you know if I believe an area needs more work (i.e. editing).
Copyediting – the step just before your proofread – involves making sure the final text reads well prior to proofreading and making changes only where necessary. I look for everything I would in a proofread, plus instances of repetition, formatting errors, awkward word placement and poor sentence or paragraph structure, and rewrite clunky or unclear sentences. I consider the content as a whole, plus context, tense and tone, to ultimately ensure the text is written clearly, correctly, concisely, comprehensibly, and consistently.
Q: …so which do I need?
A: In a nutshell: are you sending me your final draft, or not?
Unless you are a seasoned writer with a few “second pairs of eyes” to hand, it will likely be an edit you need. This is especially likely if your document is a “first draft” and has not yet been checked or read by anyone. If, however, your document is not complex in nature (e.g. a menu), has already been edited, or you are confident enough in your writing, then a proofread may suffice.
If you are unsure, I can tell you which service you will need by reading your first few pages, which I encourage you to send to me for review without obligation.
Q: What is paraphrasing?
A: Paraphrasing means “to state something written or spoken in different words, especially in a shorter and simpler form to make the meaning clearer” (Cambridge Online Dictionary, 2022). Paraphrasing is an alternative to quoting, and puts someone else’s ideas into your own words.
Q: Will you read my work in confidence?
A: Yes. Absolutely. And, when we have completed your edits and signed off, all associated files are removed from my computer.
Q: I feel apprehensive about committing. How can you help?
A: This is totally understandable. There are a few ways I can help:
(1) Let’s do a sample proofread or edit, free of charge. Send me over a chunk of text – say, half a page or so – and I will either proofread it or edit it free of charge. I will send it back to you to review, and you have a think if we are a good fit for each other and if you’d like to go ahead.
(2) Let’s work in stages. If your document is large, we can cut it down into chunks and review at various stages.
(3) Let’s talk. Feel free to reach out on Zoom or Teams, and we can discuss what you’re looking to get out of the service.
Q: I’m from North America. Can we still work together?
A: Of course. My default is British English but I can also edit in American English.
