Editing
When I edit your document, it's either
• copy editing, or
• substantive editing.
Copy editing includes
• correcting spelling, grammar,
punctuation, and usage
• simplifying language, clarifying
meanings, removing abiguities,
replacing jargon and clichés
• re-writing awkward text and
correcting style inconsistencies
• checking diagram captions
and references.
Copy editing renders the text clear, concise, and easy to read. It does not include improving the structure of the
document.
Substantive editing is copy editing plus checking that the
• structure of the text is logical;
gaps are closed
• arguments are presented
clearly and unambiguously
• conclusions are convincing
and reflect the arguments
• headings are appropriate.
Substantive editing is useful if you have only limited writing experience or find it difficult to express what you
want to say.
The result is a well-structured, easy-to-read document that presents logical and coherent arguments —
a must for publication.
British English or
American English?
British English and American English differ by more than just a few spelling variations. Some of the
differences can be quite subtle.
I've used British English on this website, but I can edit your text in whichever version of English you want.
Here are some of the differences.
Dates:
British English and American English have different date conventions, e.g.
19 January 1947 (BrE)
January 19, 1947 (AmE)
1 April until 1 May (BrE)
1 April through 1 May (AmE)
Verb tenses:
British English uses the present perfect for completed events at an unspecified time in the past, e.g. I've missed the bus. When is the next
one? American English tends to use the simple past, e.g. I missed the bus. When is the next one?
Punctuation:
British English tends to be more economical with punctuation than American English. For example: i.e. and e.g.(BrE)
i.e., and e.g., (AmE).
British English tends not to use the serial comma, e.g. He bought a hat, a coat and a pair of gloves. American
English does use the serial comma, e.g. He bought a hat, a coat, and a pair of gloves.
Vocabularly & spelling:
There are numerous vocabulary and spelling differences, e.g. (BrE / AmE): cheque/check;
film/movie; plough/plow; post/mail; storey/story; tyre/tire.