Owl Editing, Vancouver


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Editing and Proofreading




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In most writing, common mistakes include:

  • incorrect use of punctuation, including commas, semicolons, colons, and dashes, etc.
  • misusing articles and prepositions
  • creating hazy antecedents ("Running across the street, a snowball hit him on the head."  Who or what was running?)
  • mistaking one word for another (envelope and envelop, stationary and stationery, affect and effect, complement and compliment). The spell-checker won't detect these errors.
  • confusing "then" and "than," "its" and "it's," "affect" and "effect," and "lay" and "lie"
  • creating sentences that run on and on and on and don't stop even when they should but instead they keep going, getting every possible ramification in and each and every circumstance that may be part of the original idea which by now we have forgotten anyway, but it's all part of the same idea still, isn't it?




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Your editor's job is to highlight grammatical blunders and show you how they can be corrected, though the choice is yours whether or not to make any changes.

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Light copyediting includes:
  • light formatting
  • correcting spelling, grammar, and punctuation
  • correcting usage errors, subject/verb agreement, misused prepositions, dangling participles, misplaced modifiers, confusion in tense, faulty parallelism, etc.
  • correcting redundancy
  • correcting inconsistencies in headings, tables, figures, and lists
  • substituting words that more accurately convey the author's intent, but without making changes that are unnecessary
  • avoiding sexism, racism, or other pejorative language
  • maintaining consistent patterns for abbreviations, etc.


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Medium copyediting includes:
  • correcting errors in spelling, usage, grammar, punctuation, and style.
  • correcting fluctuations in tense, faulty parallelism, misused pronouns, etc.
  • clarifying ambiguous vocabulary
  • eliminating redundancies
  • replacing jargon and cliches
  • noting inconsistencies in the writing voice or point of view
  • identifying inconsistencies in logic, facts, and details
  • revising or cutting to meet length requirements


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Heavy copyediting includes:
  • reviewing the flow and organization of text
  • recognizing structure appropriate for the intended audience. Suggesting deletions, additions, or rearrangements (e.g., gaps in content, missing steps in the argument, unclear transitions).
  • creating an outline to reveal structure
  • reorganizing material into an appropriate structure and sequence
  • recognizing when material would be better presented in another form (e.g., number-laden text as a table or chart, descriptive material as a diagram or illustration, a long series of points as a list)


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Citation and reference checking involves:
  • ensuring that sources are acknowledged in a form appropriate to the publication
  • noting the essential information that must appear in a periodical (date of issue, volume and number, publisher's name and address)


format
Editing of tables and figures includes:
  • adjusting variations within row and columnheads and the presentation of data
  • ensuring that non-text items (e.g., tables, figures, photos) appear in the correct position and fit the given space


reading
Proofreading involves:
  • marking typographical errors
  • correcting inconsistencies or errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, or fact
  • checking or constructing a Table of Contents
  • correcting errors that result from the use of spell-checkers, (e.g., substitution of 'too' for 'to' or 'film' for 'file')
  • using fonts, font sizes, and typefaces consistently
  • setting margins as justified or ragged



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  Frequently Asked Questions

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1. What does it cost to have an essay edited?
The fees are based on a rate of CDN$ 35 an hour and a minimum fee of $20 may be charged. To find out the cost for editing, refer to the Fees page.


rate
2. How quickly can I get the edited paper sent back?
For most reports or essays, the turn-around time is usually within 24-48 hours. Longer reports may take several days, and a thesis will usually require a longer 'breathing time.'


sending
3. What's the best way to have a large document (i.e. a thesis or technical report) edited and proofread?
As your thesis becomes ready for editing, you may want to send one or two chapters as samples at first, to get an idea of the editing procedure.


payment
4. How can I pay for the service?
Personal cheque or cash is acceptable. Direct deposit is also possible at a branch of the TD bank or through an online transfer (ask for details), or by PayPal.
Visa MasterCard Discover American Express

editing
5. What kind of editing and proofreading services are available?
The levels of editing and proofreading, as outlined above, are available. Ghostwriting services are not offered.


delivery
6. How should I send the document?
The preferred method is by e-mail (attachment files or as plain text).


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7. Can I see the editing changes that are made?
Yes. The MS-Word Revision Tool can be used to show all changes that are made in editing. See Highlighting. If you want to have the changes tracked, please ask beforehand.


tutorials
8. Can I receive comments about my writing style?
With the return of your edited manuscript, notes and comments are usually included to explain the important changes, ask for clarification, or offer general suggestions for the author.


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9. Can I have a document edited on an urgent basis?
For urgently required editing (documents needed with less than 24-hours notice), an extra fee is usually applied. Adequate contact information must be provided.







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Copyright ©1996-2007 by Glen Wheeler
Owl Editing, Grey Owl Tutoring, Canada.
Last updated:  9 November, 2007