Proofreading PhD

The importance of proofreading any written document should not be underestimated. You could be planning to submit a manuscript to publishers for consideration, or about to hand in that all important dissertation, but whatever you've written should always be passed through the proofreading process and ideally by someone else.

Proofreading is a skill and an art; it involves understanding the intricacies of language, and having a very good eye for detail. And because of these skills being a necessary requirement within a proofreader, not everyone is capable of carrying out the task. Unfortunately it is also the case that even within the select few who claim to be proofreaders, there are varying degrees of accuracy and attention to detail.

Nevertheless, a proof reader's role in the writing process is an essential one. The types of errors that a proofreader can recognise will include: spelling mistakes, the obvious and the not so obvious, grammar errors, changes to the font, and inconsistent alignment of the text, spacing or paragraph settings. Furthermore, a proofreader will provide a general check of the text for consistency, e.g. in the spelling of a character's name, or continuity in setting or plot. For example, a proofreader would easily spot if you started a scene at night and moments later you mention the sun beating down. These types of errors are ones that as a writer it is difficult to spot, particularly if you have been working very closely with a manuscript up to that point. A copy editor would provide a more thorough review of your work but a proof reader would be a good starting point to highlight any areas of concern.

Similarly, in academic writing, it is easy to get bogged down in the arguments or the science within the essay or dissertation, and forget about the finer points of the grammar or style. A proofreader can pick up not only spelling and grammar mistakes but also incorrect referencing, or failure to adhere to the style guidelines. Having a fresh pair of eyes carry out this job for you means that the process will be far more productive, time efficient and worth the fee (if paying a professional proofreader to complete the task for you).

If you have written a manuscript, thesis, dissertation or essay and you choose not to proofread it, or not to get someone else to have a look through, then you could be setting yourself up for failure. Having worked so hard to produce your document, losing marks, or failing to secure a publishing deal simply because of bad spelling, or an inconsistent style seems like a pointless risk to take, especially when the alternative of getting a proofreader to ensure your work is perfect, is such a simple thing to do.

Proofreading PhD