Thesis Editing

Having fresh eyes read through your thesis can help improve clarity, consistency and readability. The professional editor steps in with the viewpoint of a first-time reader, who has copyediting and proofreading expertise, and will comply with thesis editing guidelines.

I will edit your thesis carefully, line by line, focusing on removing mistakes, wordiness, and inconsistencies; checking that the wording flows and the meaning is clear.

Thesis editing is provided in line with the Institute of Professional Editors Guidelines and the Australian Standards for Editing, as well as your university’s guidelines or any other guidelines that need to be applied (e.g. Chicago reference style).

Thesis editing is provided in line with the Institute of Professional Editors Guidelines for editing research theses and the Australian standards for editing practice.

How it works

1. Contact your supervisor

First, check with your supervisor that it is okay to have your thesis professionally edited. This is normally fine, but check first.

2. Contact editor - confirm if available and get a quote

At least one month before you need your thesis edited, contact me to check on my availability and to get a cost and time estimate.
Send me your thesis OR a representative section and advise the thesis length (word count). This can be sent by email, or via the Contact web page.
Let me know if all parts of the thesis are to be edited, and any special style requirements e.g. your university’s guidelines or reference style.
I will email you an estimate of the cost and how long it will take.
Sample Edit: I can provide a free sample edit on 1000 words. This can be helpful if you haven’t worked with an editor before, and you will see a practical preview of your edited thesis.

3. Accept quote & confirm details

Confirm by email if you wish to proceed.
Provide written approval from your supervisors confirming a professional editor may edit your thesis (a simple email is fine).
If your thesis isn’t ready for editing, confirm when it will be ready so I can schedule the time needed.

4. Editing completed

I complete the editing in the Word file with track changes turned on, so you can review all changes.
The editing services I can provide under the Guidelines are defined as copyediting and proofreading. This includes spelling, grammar, punctuation, clarity, consistency and conformity to style.

5. Review changes

I will send you the marked-up thesis with my suggested changes and queries for you to review. As you have final responsibility for your thesis, you need to go through the manuscript to accept or delete the changes. If you have any questions, you can contact me for clarification during working hours.
Once you have completed taking in the editing changes, I can assist with any outstanding formatting issues, e.g. table of contents, lists of figures, etc.
If there have been extensive changes, a final proofread of the thesis is recommended.