Some tips that apply to both editing and proofreading

Get some distance from the text! It's hard to edit or proofread a paper that you've just finished writing—it's still to familiar, and you tend to skip over a lot of errors. Put the paper aside for a few hours, days, or weeks. Go for a run. Take a trip to the beach. Clear your head of what you've written so you can take a fresh look at the paper and see what is really on the page. Better yet, give the paper to a friend—you can't get much more distance than that. Someone who is reading the paper for the first time, comes to it with completely fresh eyes.

Decide what medium lets you proofread most carefully. Some people like to work right at the computer, while others like to sit back with a printed copy that they can mark up as they read.

Try changing the look of your document. Altering the size, spacing, color, or style of the text may trick your brain into thinking it's seeing an unfamiliar document, and that can help you get a different perspective on what you've written.

Find a quiet place to work. Don't try to do your proofreading in front of the TV or while you're chugging away on the treadmill. Find a place where you can concentrate and avoid distractions.

If possible, do your editing and proofreading in several short blocks of time, rather than all at once—otherwise, your concentration is likely to wane.

If you're short on time, you may wish to prioritize your editing and proofreading tasks to be sure that the most important ones are completed.

At Proofreading247, we help writers reach their highest potential. Our main aim is to help someone in a developing country express himself or herself clearly in English, Proofreading247 ensures that the work will be judged on merit, not linguistic issues.

Proofreading UK

How much of your time do you spend reading and re-reading your text? If you use a proofreader to check it instead, you can use your own time more effectively. As an experienced proofreader I can join your project after the first draft or the final draft. And check as much or as little as you wish.

Academic Editing

Should you need advice on the structure, scope and argument of the work, we can help you strengthen your argument by adding new, relevant references, and ensuring that your argument flows from paragraph to paragraph. Whether you need help incorporating tutors' comments, or with any other aspect of your completed piece of work, we are here to assist you.

Dissertation proofreading

English language: If you have concerns about your skills in formal written English, you need to seek advice and assistance as early as possible in the writing process. Ask your Supervisor how to find out about what workshops/tutorials/workgroups may be available.

Online proofreading

The proofreading and editing services include offering constructive comments, where appropriate, on your overall style and argumentation. Neither service involves ghost-writing or substantial rewriting. This is so that your work may remain authentically your own. Proofreading Services concerns itself with language issues, but you must produce your own content. The emphasis in the proofreading service is on identifying deficiencies, whilst the editing service eliminates rambling and preserves your unique 'voice'. So please regard these services as useful tools to help sharpen the form of your writing, but don't expect the content of your argument to be rewritten. Guidance on writing an essay argument can be seen in the 'Thesis help' resources section.