Most people who contact with with a thesis or dissertation to edit are concerned with price and time. Thus is the nature of the game: theses and dissertations invariably have a deadline, and just as invariably, students and postgraduates will put off the work until just before the paper is due, and suddenly seek out an editor hastily.
There's nothing necessarily wrong with this; if you're an editor, you've got to be prepared to work long and hard on a moment's notice. I'll often be pleasantly surprised with 20,000 word paper that needs to be finished ASAP.
Even so - don't lose track of what's important in a thesis or dissertation. Sure, punctuation, grammar, spelling should all be flawless. However, at the same time and probably much more important is the content, that also needs to be checked. A few careful remarks by a capable editor can catch mistakes in logic or reasoning that would otherwise sink a thesis or dissertation.
Do it right! It's actually pretty simple.
1) The thesis or dissertation should have ONE main focus or topic, called the 'thesis statement' or main claim. It should be in the introduction, hopefully within the first couple of pages. It should be one sentence long, one paragraph at most. Often I've found bits and pieces of statements strewn throughout a dissertation - it must be all together, tight and focused, in the beginning. Find it, flag it, suggest a relocation if necessary.
2) Hopefully there will be a nice clean outline in the introduction, along the lines of "This is what we will argue. This is how we will argue it. First...then...next...after that...finally". It should be there; it's called the chapter outline and is usually required. If it's missing, flag it. It's easy to write, especially when the rest is finished.
3) Each chapter should have a focus. Each chapter should be introduced along the lines of "in the last chapter, we found/discovered/argued.... In this chapter, we will X, by A, B and C". Always provide a map. Tell readers what you want to do, how you're going to do it, and then DO it. This way your argument will be so much more powerful and convincing (even if it isn't really, it will seem as if it is.)
4) Include and cite references correctly, using the format you are required to use (tell the editor what it is; editors you should ask). MLA, Chicago, APA... they're all unique. Editors honestly don't have time to fix everything, so writers make sure they're pretty close to good - ie you tried your best. We'll catch little things, but can't completely rework everything.
5) CONCLUDE. Too many theses or dissertations simply die off quietly (probably because students secretly hope their advisors won't actually read the whole thing).
Even if they don't read your paper word-for-word, you can bet that they'll flip to the conclusion, which should recap your entire argument, paraphrase your main argument and evidences, and very definitively reiterate how and why you've actually proved what you set out to prove (or, been surprised by the results which suggested something you didn't set out to find.)
The conclusion is very important - a lot of the paper can be fluff. It's hard to be perfect everywhere. Make sure your very best and strongest writing is in the introduction and conclusion, make sure the rest sticks to the basic outline you proposed, and you'll be fine.
For thesis or dissertation editing services, visit http://www.paper-perfect-editing.com
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Editing embarrassing mistakes
I've been busy recently. I sometimes prefer to edit rough documents, because I feel like I'm really making substantial changes and my clients' are 'getting their money's worth'. However, there is nothing so satisfying as catching a mistake which would have been embarrassing.
In a publication on businesses in the EU - I just changed "Pubic region" to "Public region." That's pretty funny. Well worth the price of an editor to fix a mistake like that. :)
In a publication on businesses in the EU - I just changed "Pubic region" to "Public region." That's pretty funny. Well worth the price of an editor to fix a mistake like that. :)
Saturday, March 21, 2009
How much should you charge/pay for proofreading or editing?
Editing is a fickle business. There are editors living in 3rd world countries that can live very well on $10 a day, who can afford to charge a very low rate. Other editors live in nice houses in expensive cities and need to charge more. Some editors are university graduates, some have PhD's. Some are very good, and some aren't.
As an editor - how much should you charge? As a writer, how much should you pay? Unfortunately there is no standard 'going rate' for editing; editors have unique styles and services. Prices can depend on level and depth of editing, on turnaround speed and other variables. Here are a few tips to make sure you're charging/paying the right amount.
For Editors:
If you're a freelance editor, you need to find a way to charge fairly and consistently. Your price has to reflect your quality and skill level, but also be competitive. A good strategy: Search through about 10 editing sites that you like and that are offering similar services; ie your competitors. Look at how they charge and how much - and then shoot for an average. If the cheapest is $10 an hour and the most expensive is $50, settle on about $25. Although everybody is searching for a bargain and a good deal, when it comes to editing people are already afraid that the service won't be good enough. They are paying for editing because they NEED their writing to be great, flawless, perfect. Therefore price is rarely the determining factor. They want the best editor, most experienced and most suited to their project. So as long as your price is reasonable, you're probably OK.
You should also look at how much you'd like to make per hour. There are many ways to charge clients - personally I prefer by word (or page, although that can be less precise) because it lets visitors check exactly how much their project will cost right away. But figure out how many words you can edit in an hour, and based on that, how much you need to charge per word. I think $15 an hour is a pretty reasonable rate for editing - although some editors make much more. Therefore - if I can edit 1000 words an hour, I could charge $.015 per word.
For Writers:
Now that you've gained these peaks into the business of editing, you writers should have a better idea of what to expect. Choosing a qualified editor can be difficult. Don't assume that the most expensive is the best, and also don't assume the the cheapest is untrustworthy. Read the editing services site, read the testimonials and see if they sound genuine. If it's possible (and it should be!) send them a 1 page sample and see how well they do.
Compare a few sites and get some price quotes - then you can set a reasonable budget for yourself; it should be a price that you feel comfortable with and that you think should be enough to get a qualified editor. If you want a bargain - email some of the more expensive sites and ask them if they will drop their price... many of them will.
You can also search freelance sites like guru.com or elance.com and get freelance editors.
As an editor - how much should you charge? As a writer, how much should you pay? Unfortunately there is no standard 'going rate' for editing; editors have unique styles and services. Prices can depend on level and depth of editing, on turnaround speed and other variables. Here are a few tips to make sure you're charging/paying the right amount.
For Editors:
If you're a freelance editor, you need to find a way to charge fairly and consistently. Your price has to reflect your quality and skill level, but also be competitive. A good strategy: Search through about 10 editing sites that you like and that are offering similar services; ie your competitors. Look at how they charge and how much - and then shoot for an average. If the cheapest is $10 an hour and the most expensive is $50, settle on about $25. Although everybody is searching for a bargain and a good deal, when it comes to editing people are already afraid that the service won't be good enough. They are paying for editing because they NEED their writing to be great, flawless, perfect. Therefore price is rarely the determining factor. They want the best editor, most experienced and most suited to their project. So as long as your price is reasonable, you're probably OK.
You should also look at how much you'd like to make per hour. There are many ways to charge clients - personally I prefer by word (or page, although that can be less precise) because it lets visitors check exactly how much their project will cost right away. But figure out how many words you can edit in an hour, and based on that, how much you need to charge per word. I think $15 an hour is a pretty reasonable rate for editing - although some editors make much more. Therefore - if I can edit 1000 words an hour, I could charge $.015 per word.
For Writers:
Now that you've gained these peaks into the business of editing, you writers should have a better idea of what to expect. Choosing a qualified editor can be difficult. Don't assume that the most expensive is the best, and also don't assume the the cheapest is untrustworthy. Read the editing services site, read the testimonials and see if they sound genuine. If it's possible (and it should be!) send them a 1 page sample and see how well they do.
Compare a few sites and get some price quotes - then you can set a reasonable budget for yourself; it should be a price that you feel comfortable with and that you think should be enough to get a qualified editor. If you want a bargain - email some of the more expensive sites and ask them if they will drop their price... many of them will.
You can also search freelance sites like guru.com or elance.com and get freelance editors.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Editing and Proofreading
Moving sites. I've expanded PaperPerfect and finally moved away from a bad host towards a more reliable one. The new site is: http://www.paper-perfect-editing.com. You can also reach it through: mypaperperfect.com
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Self-editing and proofreading your novel
Writing novels is about the most fun a person can have with himself. At least, this was true a hundred years ago when there was no TV, internet or Wii. Nowadays, the author is the person who - through some deliberate passion, usually rooted in dreams of grandeur - locks the real world out and gives birth to an imaginary one.
I wrote my first novel in about a month, on spiral notebooks. I immediately paid a critical roommate to edit it. After a few chapters, she stopped trying to fix all the little stuff, because she recognized that it was, in fact, still pretty bad and would need serious re-writing. With a great deal of tact, she let me know that this was so. It was at least a year later when I could see it myself. I rewrote it entirely, expanded greatly on the plot and characters. It became a confused mess. 4 years later, I've done a lot of research, developed a very tight outline for the plot, and am confident that, next time it gets rewritten, it will be much better.
The moral of the story? Don't rush your novel!!
Here's what will happen if you do:
1) You finish quickly, pay an editor to fix the grammar and spelling, but can't find anyone to publish it because frankly, there are thousands of novels seeking publication every DAY and yours just isn't good enough.
2) You try and rewrite or edit yourself, but don't know where to start - hey, you think its just right and if nobody else can see that, its because the world isn't ready for your genius
3) You decide to self publish, buy 500 copies of your book and pawn them onto neighbors and family.
3) You give up, after having spent at least several hundred dollars.
Is there a better way? Of course. A professional editor (a good one at least, although they are rare and usually charge way too much) can seriously improve your novel. I know this, because I have - in my opinion - saved many novels myself. Many of the novels I edit are seriously flawed. They may have great ideas, great characters, and even be written very well (good use of language), but invariably there are serious plot flaws. The motivation for the characters isn't developed. There is no reasonable explanation of how things happen the way they do, rather than some other way. Things happen for no reason which interrupt the flow of the plot. Vast amounts of background information is given in monologue or narrative. My role, is to point these problems out to the author and say "Readers won't accept this!" Readers today are very critical. They want a smooth, intriguing story. They won't settle for less - and a publisher or agent is twice as picky.
I help writers re-hash and re-think and re-organize - in fact I make them do it. I don't write for them, but I do offer some options that they may develop. My questions and reactions force them to consider their novel from a reader's viewpoint. The result is a dramatically better manuscript, which can then be proofread or edited for perfection.
A final warning: So - if you are looking for an editor - make sure you find one that can work on the big stuff, before getting to the little stuff! Otherwise you're throwing money away.
http://www.perfect-english-editing.com
I wrote my first novel in about a month, on spiral notebooks. I immediately paid a critical roommate to edit it. After a few chapters, she stopped trying to fix all the little stuff, because she recognized that it was, in fact, still pretty bad and would need serious re-writing. With a great deal of tact, she let me know that this was so. It was at least a year later when I could see it myself. I rewrote it entirely, expanded greatly on the plot and characters. It became a confused mess. 4 years later, I've done a lot of research, developed a very tight outline for the plot, and am confident that, next time it gets rewritten, it will be much better.
The moral of the story? Don't rush your novel!!
Here's what will happen if you do:
1) You finish quickly, pay an editor to fix the grammar and spelling, but can't find anyone to publish it because frankly, there are thousands of novels seeking publication every DAY and yours just isn't good enough.
2) You try and rewrite or edit yourself, but don't know where to start - hey, you think its just right and if nobody else can see that, its because the world isn't ready for your genius
3) You decide to self publish, buy 500 copies of your book and pawn them onto neighbors and family.
3) You give up, after having spent at least several hundred dollars.
Is there a better way? Of course. A professional editor (a good one at least, although they are rare and usually charge way too much) can seriously improve your novel. I know this, because I have - in my opinion - saved many novels myself. Many of the novels I edit are seriously flawed. They may have great ideas, great characters, and even be written very well (good use of language), but invariably there are serious plot flaws. The motivation for the characters isn't developed. There is no reasonable explanation of how things happen the way they do, rather than some other way. Things happen for no reason which interrupt the flow of the plot. Vast amounts of background information is given in monologue or narrative. My role, is to point these problems out to the author and say "Readers won't accept this!" Readers today are very critical. They want a smooth, intriguing story. They won't settle for less - and a publisher or agent is twice as picky.
I help writers re-hash and re-think and re-organize - in fact I make them do it. I don't write for them, but I do offer some options that they may develop. My questions and reactions force them to consider their novel from a reader's viewpoint. The result is a dramatically better manuscript, which can then be proofread or edited for perfection.
A final warning: So - if you are looking for an editor - make sure you find one that can work on the big stuff, before getting to the little stuff! Otherwise you're throwing money away.
http://www.perfect-english-editing.com
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
speech making made easy
http://www.squidoo.com/howtogiveagreatspeech
check out my article on how to give a great speech. I wrote it after giving a presentation about life in Taiwan, and sitting through 6 other, poorly done speeches by other people. Don't let a good opportunity be wasted by bad planning!
check out my article on how to give a great speech. I wrote it after giving a presentation about life in Taiwan, and sitting through 6 other, poorly done speeches by other people. Don't let a good opportunity be wasted by bad planning!
How to choose a great essay topic
http://www.squidoo.com/essaytopichelp
I've just written an article on how to choose a great essay topic. Choosing a topic doesn't have to be difficult. Find a subject that interests you and poke around until you discover a problem, question, or statement that you can't agree with. Find something that makes you scratch your head and focus on it until you have an opinion about what's really going on. Then find the evidence to support your claim and bingo! A brand new idea. Essay topics should always introduce something new, something that has purpose, that teaches, expands, illuminates...
Find out more at www.mypaperperfect.com
I've just written an article on how to choose a great essay topic. Choosing a topic doesn't have to be difficult. Find a subject that interests you and poke around until you discover a problem, question, or statement that you can't agree with. Find something that makes you scratch your head and focus on it until you have an opinion about what's really going on. Then find the evidence to support your claim and bingo! A brand new idea. Essay topics should always introduce something new, something that has purpose, that teaches, expands, illuminates...
Find out more at www.mypaperperfect.com
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