Copy Editing
I carefully read your paper, twice through, for grammar and meaning and I:
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Correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, & word use
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Polish & streamline (shorten) sentences
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Insert more precise, colorful vocabulary
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Turn passive verbs into “actives”
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Align subject-verb-object phrases
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Untangle confusing sentences and paragraphs
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Insert questions & suggestions to help you clarify concepts
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Correct in-text citations using style guides (APA, MLA, Turabian/Chicago, CSE)
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Check quotes, name spelling or facts that seem incorrect
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Check for consistencies in spellings and style throughout a paper
I also point out:
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Redundancies
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Where to add transitions
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When to paraphrase rather than quote
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Language bias (age, cultural, gender, racial, religious, etc.)
Note: I edit all papers in Track Changes so you can see every change I make, and accept, reject, or tweak them.
For more on Track Changes see Track Changes instructions.
Fees
$50-$65 for 1,000 words, depending on writing quality, editing needs.
Free 2 Page Sample! Email wordwise.cambridge@gmail.com for more information.
Structural Editing
In structural editing, I read papers thoroughly and comment on The Big Picture: the paper’s overall structure, clarity, and flow.
I point out strengths and weaknesses:
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Is your thesis clear ... and threaded throughout?
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Is your hypothesis precise and measurable?
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Do your ideas flow logically?
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Is your argument convincing?
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Are the concepts well supported with facts, examples, statistics, theory, citations?
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Do you address the problem, question, or thesis identified in the introduction?
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Does your conclusion reflect your findings and offer a fresh perspective?
I also point out:
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"Holes" in logic
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Where transitions are needed
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Where lifeless quotes could be paraphrased
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Extraneous information that could be cut or placed in footnotes
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Murky sentences that need rewriting
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Redundancies
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Where additional facts and details could clarify an idea
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Language bias (age, cultural, gender, racial, religious, etc.)
In structural editing, I do not copy edit for spelling, grammar, and punctuation … papers should be edited beforehand.
Note: Please carefully read the edited document to review all of my changes and comments.
I use Microsoft’s Track Changes (Revisions menu) so you can see every change, and accept or reject each.
Please read disclaimer here.