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A BETTER EDITOR SM |
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Graduate Students! Fit your budget! Meet your deadline! APA style: dissertation, thesis, reference list American English as Second Language (ESL) Anne V. Sutherland, M.Div., Ph.D.Professional Editing and Proofreading Since 1995 |
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What Can A Copy Editor Do for YOU? |
A Better Editor for YOU!Your words and ideas
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If we work together, you will get a fresh set of professional eyes that can save you a lot of frustration getting right all the little details that increase the chances that your writing will get the attention it deserves. It will be yout document though. I help you present it, but I do not write it for you. You are the expert on the subject! It is your job to help me understand what you want to say. If English is your Second Language (ESL) this can be really helpful reaching an American audience. A copy editor attends to the subtle differences that can divert the attention of a reader away from the ideas and the points you want to make. Polishing the manuscript provides the finishing touches, smoothing the flow of the presentation that helps keep the reader interested to the end. There are several steps to completing a thesis or dissertation:
You may have been talking about, even writing your paper for some time. Most people write the way they talk, and read it back to themselves hearing the tone and inflections of their own voice. Copy editing begins when it is time to turn your speech into written language to be read by people who cannot hear the tone and inflection of your voice. For some people, this is almost as challenging as translating into a foreign language. Copy editing is the process of fine-tuning a manuscript, after the writer has drafted a section or the full document (less expensive) and before it is set into type or finalized for printing. At this point, it can be changed and revised as needed and there is usually a lot of back and forth between the writer and the copy editor. It is important to understand that before you need APA style formatting, you need a solid document with chapters in the standard sequence for presenting your research. You need basic American English grammar, sentence construction, and paragraph sequence that flows smoothly from one point to the next. A reader should not have to stop reading and wonder what you mean or have to go back to figure it out. This is basic copyediting that comes before APA formatting. Then, other parts of the document are put in place. Front matter is everything that comes before the text begins: title page, copyright, dedication, table of contents, and whatever else the university requires. End matter includes the reference list and anything in an appendix. Then comes the APA style formatting. All along, you and the copy editor have been keeping APA style in mind. Yet, you might wonder why it comes so late in the process. It makes no sense to do the total APA style formatting before the document is in nearly final form. Headers and citations can be different depending on their location. Spaces for insertions may move page contents. Those changes may require changes to other paragraphs or the whole document. So they all need to be in place first. Otherwise you are paying for the extra time it takes. The final step, proofreading, is scrutinizing the computer printouts or the typeset galley proofs and either comparing them with the original copy or just reviewing them for any misprints, mistakes, or typos before the document is printed or reproduced. Computer printouts are comparatively easier to correct. After it has been typeset for printing, the printer usually charges a lot more for editorial changes and revisions although usually not for their typos or mistakes to find and do them over. |
You're The Boss!
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As a copy editor, I never rewrite or change the meaning of your ideas or content. My job is to help you present what you want to say in the best way for your intended audience. I use APA style and the guidelines of your university. You always have the right to refuse my suggestions. Sometimes we brainstorm until we both feel good about it! For an overview of copy editing steps click here
To find out more about costs click here For things you can do to reduce your costs click here |
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It is important that you look carefully at the pages on this site. There is information about costs and how you can reduce your costs. Notice your responsibilities along the way so that the result will be a document you can be proud of and will accomplish your goal. Like many people, after looking at all this you may have more questions. Do not hesitate to contact me for questions about your particular manuscript. There is no charge for this first (up to 15 minutes) informational call. Then, if you are interested, you can send me 10 pages of your document (usually first 10 pages of the literature review) for a free half hour sample of copy editing, and a free 15 minute phone discussion after you review it. Then we can both decide whether we can work together. DO NOT send a sample until we talk. I will tell you how to send your sample document. Telephone voice mail: 800-608-1311 (near Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA) This site is designed to help you find answers to your questions and give you an idea of what is available for you. To tour this site, click on the "Go to next page" choice at the bottom of each page; for specific information, choose from the menu box on the left.
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A Better Editor SMVoice mail: 800-608-1311
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