Does my writing really need to be grammatically and mechanically precise?
What is the difference between copyediting and proofreading?
I’ve read through my project multiple times, and it looks pretty good to me. Do I still need someone else to look at it?
What is included in your proofreading/copyediting service?
How do I know what type of proofreading/copyediting is required for my project?
How do I figure out how many pages my project is?
How do I submit my project?
How long will it take to complete my project?
Is my material “safe” with you?
Does my writing really need to be grammatically and mechanically precise?
If your writing will be reviewed in any way, shape, or form by an academic or professional audience, the answer to this question is not just yes, it is absolutely.
Being able to communicate your thoughts, ideas, and opinions logically, clearly, and coherently is extremely important.
Academically
Whether you like it or not, if your academic writing is full of grammatical and mechanical mistakes, your overall intelligence will be questioned. You might have some great ideas and arguments, but if you are unable to communicate them well, they may be disregarded. It is also worth noting that poor writing doesn’t improve your grade point average.
Personally
As you know, a lot of communication is done through texts, blogs, and other social networking tools. Many people find themselves wondering why they can’t just write what they want, without the hassle of strictly adhering to a grammatical code. The answer lies within the author’s purpose of writing. If the intended audience is family and friends, then a few typos won’t go amiss. However, if the author is trying to attract readers or create some sort of financial gain, proofreading is highly recommended.
Professionally
People form opinions of you (and by extension, the organization you work for) based on the way you write. Documents or websites that contain numerous errors look sloppy and unprofessional. This causes potential clients or investors to wonder if your business is conducted in the same manner.
What is the difference between copyediting and proofreading?
Though the two are closely related, copyediting and proofreading are very different. Copyediting literally means to edit for publication. A copy editor pays close attention to the details in a project in order to make it ready for publication. Proofreading is reading almost completed material with the intention of finding and marking errors. Perhaps an easier way of defining the difference between the two is to think of them as two different steps in the same process. A copy editor works on correcting material in the middle stages of development, while a proofreader comes in at the final stages to ensure flawlessness.
I’ve read through my project multiple times, and it looks pretty good to me. Do I still need someone else to look at it?
Even professional proofreaders should have their material read by someone other than themselves. It is virtually impossible to look at your own work objectively. You are likely to read what you intended to write, rather than what is actually written. Getting an outside perspective is critical to a successfully-written project.
What is included in your proofreading/copyediting service?
I offer four different proofreading/copyediting services. These services are determined by differing levels of document revision. To see the list of specifics offered in each level, see the Levels of Service page.
How do I know what type of proofreading/copyediting is required for my project?
To determine what level of proofreading/copyediting is needed, fill out the Contact Form, and submit a sample of your project. The sample will be reviewed, and you will be sent a recommendation of which service level would best suit your project. Once you have decided on a service (and your desired completion time), the total number of pages will be calculated, and an estimate will be sent to you.
How do I figure out how many pages my project is?
If you take your total word count and divide it by 350, you will get the number of standard pages in your project. This eliminates the bothersome process of re-formatting a document and ensures consistent pricing.
How do I submit my project?
Once your document is at the stage in which you would like it to be checked, submit it to Literally Precise. You can do this by:
- Uploading it using the upload tools.
- Emailing it as a Microsoft Word or MS Word-compatible attachment.
- Sending a hard copy.
For website projects, content should be sent in text format.
How long will it take to complete my project?
The turnaround time for a project is dependent upon the type of document submitted and the urgency of its completion. Upon submitting a sample of your project, you will be sent an estimate of the time it will take to complete the project. Rush projects will be charged an additional per-page fee.
Is my material “safe” with you?
The privacy and confidentiality of your project is of utmost importance to me! I will not share your work, or portions of your work, with anyone outside of Literally Precise. In my mind, your business is nobody else’s business.
