The difference between proofreading and editing
A lot of people use the terms editing and proofreading interchangeably. Certain aspects of the two processes overlap. However, the two activities are different. Understanding what each entails helps you determine which service your paper or manuscript needs. Most companies offer proofreading and editing services at different price points. So, knowing what type of service you require can save you money. Talk to us. We will listen to you and offer you the service that helps your work the most.
What Aspects of Proofreading and Editing Overlap?
Most people view the two services as if they were the same task for a reason. Certain parts of the two processes overlap resulting in a little confusion. Both services eliminate grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes. Both aim to create work that has clarity and consistency. Finally, each of them focuses on getting your academic paper or manuscript ready for publishing. You do not want to order at editing rates when all your work needs is proofreading. You also do not want to hire a proofreader when your document requires extensive changes to improve its quality and readability.
What is Editing?
Editing is a focused process that scrutinizes documents to improve the quality of writing, clarify meaning, enhance the language, and remove inconsistencies. The process involves making extensive changes that necessitate a lot of writing and rewriting. After an editor has finished doing their job, your document’s language is sharp and consistent, your expression clear, and its readability enhanced. Well-edited work has “flow” and keeps the reader engaged until the end.
Effective Editing ensures that
- You have used proper words to express your ideas and thoughts. And that editors choose words carefully to make sure you communicate with clarity and compellingly.
- You have not used too much passive voice. Well, active voice is not always preferred, but it does make your writing more compelling.
- The tone you have used is appropriate for your target audience.
- Your writing is not wordy. Writers have a penchant for using a lot of frivolous words that say little in the end.
- You have used gendered language appropriately.
The overall effect is that your work becomes impactful and gets you the desired response. Editing is broad and deep. It does much more than scratch the surface of your writing. Our professional editors will look at your work and advise you regarding the specific service you need.
Proofreading is Less “Ambitious” than Editing and Usually Costs Less
Proofreading is a critical role when it comes to the writing process. It aims to get your manuscript publication-ready. It is not as involved as editing, but without it, you are not going to get the excellence you set out to achieve. Proofreading seeks to correct all surface errors in writing. Such mistakes include grammatical, punctuation, spelling, and language errors. Additionally, it ensures your paper adheres to your chosen editorial or formatting style.
Here is What Proofreading Ensures:
- That no spelling errors remain in your work
- That you have used punctuation correctly. It makes sure commas, colons, semicolons, quotation marks, and apostrophes are where they are supposed to be
- That you have not incorrectly used words having different meaning but sounding like one another. Such words are there, they’re, their, you’re, you are and so on
- That you have used spacing properly throughout your document
- That your paper contains no typing mistakes
Proofreading Aims to Perfect Writing that is Good Already
No amount of proofreading improves terrible writing. By the time you are contacting a proofreader, you need to have made sure your content is accurate and coherent. Our proofreaders work professionally and quickly to get your paper or manuscript ready for publishing. They are detail-oriented individuals whose expertise ensures none of your readers ever says “this author is reckless. I am not going to continue reading this book.” We provide both proofreading and editing services, and each has a different price point. Let us help you determine which service delivers you the most value.
Why Not Edit or Proofread the Work Myself?
Yes, you could do that. Or you could have your neighbor or partner do it for you. As long as they are professional editors and proofreaders, why not? You could save thousands of dollars, after all. But desist from using such “free” services unless your friends are experienced professionals. Using in-built computer editors and other software programs doesn’t it either. People go to school and spend years learning to become editing professionals for a reason.
Professional Editors Understand the Mechanics of English Writing and its Nuances
Professional editors and proofreaders have mastered the conventions of English writing. They are also more than familiar with the nuances of the language. Editors and reviewers reject thousands of manuscripts and articles every year for language reasons. Most editors will return your document if they believe it is nowhere near being publication-ready.
Rejection happens all the time no matter how “earth-shattering” your content or findings are. Editing and proofreading services cost money, but they are all worth it in the end. Our editors are experienced professionals who have guided hundreds of academics and other professionals through the usually challenging publishing process.
Editing and Proofreading Professionals Help You Communicate Clearly and Compellingly
Your work needs to communicate in the most precise way if you want your ideas and thoughts to have an impact. But your writing can never be clear if it reels under the weight of a multitude of grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes. Additionally, you will not achieve clarity if your language is inconsistent. Such errors and inconsistencies detract from the impact of your work and your overall credibility as an author.
Always Remember this
Editing improves the quality of your writing while proofreading perfects writing that is already good. But both aim to ensure your document contains no errors and that there is a sense of consistency throughout your work. Also, the two processes focus on getting your academic paper ready for submission or publishing. Proofreading is much less involved than editing and typically costs less.
Is everything clear now? We hope it is.
