WHAT DIFFERENCE WILL A PROOFREADER MAKE TO YOUR THESIS?

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You have spent years working on your doctorate, but do you sometimes wonder whether your sentences could be clearer and whether your ideas flow clearly?

The final version of your thesis that you hand in to your supervisors and the external examiner will have an immediate effect on them when they start reading it, either positive or negative. Your thesis may also eventually become a publicly available document in your University’s online library. The errors and inconsistencies in non-proofread work can give a negative impression about your attention to detail, which may make the reader doubtful about the quality of your actual research itself. That’s why the checking of accuracy, consistency and clarity during the proofreading stage is important. See the 'Reasons' pdf, where three research students give their views. 

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If you send me a draft chapter from your thesis (preferably the literature review), I will send you a short sample proofread so you can see for yourself whether your sentences are clear and whether the ideas flow clearly. 

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Sally Pearse, Principal Lecturer, recently sent me this email comment on the day that I returned her proofread and formatted thesis to her:

I have received my final thesis and it feels like a momentous day, as I started this process five years ago. The final proofread and formatted versions [in Word and pdf] look beautifully professional and I wanted to thank you and your subcontractor for the prompt and responsive service you have offered. I have felt very safe and supported in your capable hands and I will have no hesitation in recommending you to other academics.

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SUMMARY

• proofreading/proof-editing

• doctoral theses

• journal articles

• book chapters

• conference presentations

• bibliographies in Spanish and German

• subjects: education, English as a Foreign Language, applied linguistics, internationalisation, employability, business

• exams: English as a Foreign Language, Spanish and German

• attention to detail

WHAT DIFFERENCE WILL A PROOFREADER MAKE TO YOUR JOURNAL ARTICLE OR BOOK CHAPTER?

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Here is the view of a former doctoral student at Leeds University and current lecturer in China:

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In the last four years, I have had three journal articles, six book reviews and two book chapters accepted for publication. Dawn has proofread every one of them. As well as checking the language, such as spelling, punctuation and grammar, she raises questions and makes suggestions about points which may not be clear from a reader’s perspective. Without these suggestions, which have always led to an improvement in the clarity and flow of ideas, I very much doubt that so much of my writing would have been accepted for publication.

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TESTIMONIAL

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Dawn brought a meticulous professionalism to the proof-editing of my 75,000 word book and did it at express pace to meet a tight deadline. She has a great eye for detail and the academic background to understand the conventions which should be followed. I felt so much more confident about the presentation and layout of the book after Dawn had worked on it.

(Dr Ivor Timmis, Reader in English Language Teaching)

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