Students typically use editing services for their dissertation or thesis, as the requirements for these papers are very strict. However, every student can benefit from academic editing of regular essays, research papers and term papers as well. Professional authors and researchers turn to editors to strengthen and proofread their work, and this approach can be helpful for your studies as well. Continue reading to find out how showing your written work to an editor can enhance your college our university papers.
How can students benefit from a professional editing service?
Improve your job-search
The example of a situation when quality editing can make all the difference is job-hunting. A couple of grammar mistakes here and there, and your cover letter gets rejected by an employer. To avoid such a situation, consider purchasing an expert editing service for your cover letter, for example, at https://resumeperk.com/cover-letter-editing.
A professional editor will review your document, fix mistakes and improve the writing style, and suggest further improvements if applicable. As a result, your cover letter will look more appealing to employers. On this website, every student can also receive an in-depth resume critique free of charge.
Get better grades
Quite often, correct grammar, punctuation, formatting and overall logic of your paper makes the difference between an A and a B grade. If the paper doesn’t meet academic writing standards in terms of writing style and tone, uses slang, conversational language, or multiple grammar issues, your instructor can assign a lower grade even if the paper is well-researched and has great ideas. The same goes for formatting and citations – if they aren’t accurate, the paper might not be accepted.
By having a proofreader to look through your work and correct the issues, you get a better chance for a top grade. And, if you regularly invest in professional editing of papers that account for a large percent of your final grade, it can significantly improve your GPA.
Save time and manage priorities
College and university students have many important commitments besides studies. A part-time or a full-time job, internship, athletic competitions, or raising a family leave little time to focus on paper writing. On the flip side, self-editing is time-consuming and requires a lot of focus. As a result, students often overlook proofreading and get lower grades than their work deserves.
A dedicated editor can correct grammar, punctuation, syntax, flow, and tone of voice for you, providing the additional recommendations on how the paper can be further improved. If you are too busy, you can simply submit the edited paper and succeed in class.
Perfect the formatting and referencing
Academic formatting according to a style guide used in your area of research (APA, MLA, Harvard, etc.) is another pain in the neck for many students. If you are new to academic writing, formatting rules can sound confusing, and not following them will lead to unpleasant consequences in your university. By following the formatting and citation rules, you demonstrate your knowledge of industry standards, show that you can follow the rules and rely on work on others in your research without plagiarizing it.
If you are puzzled by formatting and want to avoid plagiarism issues, a skilled editor can correct improper citations and ensure that the overall paper is formatted as per the style guide requirements.
Strengthen your English (if you aren’t a native speaker)
Self-editing is always a challenge as it requires concentration, knowledge of best practices of academic writing and formatting. Yet, it gets even more challenging if English is not your first language. Grammar issues, collocations errors or not following some rules of academic English can result in a lower grade even if you come up with excellent ideas and conclusions.
In this case, it is reasonable to get a native English editor to check your work. They will correct all language issues without altering your ideas and findings.
Enhance academic writing skills
If an editor reviews your papers regularly, you learn to look at your work objectively. In particular, you see what mistakes you often make and will be able to avoid them in the future. Many students are not aware of their writing mistakes, and by seeing them, you get the chance to learn and become a better writer. Moreover, by following the editor’s recommendations, you will enhance your vocabulary, adopt the academic tone of writing and perfect your knowledge of academic writing standards.
If your institution provides little instruction in academic writing and referencing, having a dedicated editor is a surefire way to boost your writing skills. You receive personalized feedback and recommendations and can develop based on it.
Get published faster
Peer-reviewed journals have strict rules when it comes to article submission. If you don’t follow the journal requirements, your article might be rejected or postponed. To avoid taking multiple grueling rounds of revision, get your work checked by a pro academic editor. Such editors are perfectly aware of the requirements that the major journals pose and can adapt your paper to them. Moreover, a good editor will also work with the paper content to help you meet all criteria and get you published in a reputable journal faster.
Strengthen the paper content
Professional editors go beyond correction of typos, grammar and formatting. They also pay attention to the logical flow of ideas, your arguments and analysis, and provide recommendations. If there is bias in your judgement, some ideas aren’t well-developed or the counter argument sounds weak, they will suggest what can be improved to strengthen your research in general. As a result, not only you can submit error-free papers, but also enhance your research skills which is valuable both for your studies and for professional development in the future.
The term “editing” can imply different types of corrections. To make sure you are on the same page with your editor, take a look at the main editing types.
The difference between various types of editing
- Developmental editing means that the editor looks at the ‘big picture’ in your paper and analyzes the paper content deeply. An editor checks if the argument is logically structured, if the ideas are articulated well, and ensures that the paper makes sense. They can remove or add some content if it helps your research, and give recommendations to strengthen the paper.
- Line editing/copyediting assumes overall improvement of quality of writing, including writing style, tone, and logical flow of ideas. An editor will point out the inconsistencies, structure issues as well as grammar issues. This type of editing focuses on mechanical aspect of the language in the first place.
- Proofreading excludes any in-depth changes in paper. A proofreader fixes grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and formatting. The main purpose here is to ensure that the paper meets all norms and requirements of academic English language.
Busy students can greatly benefit from professional editing. They can learn from their mistakes, save their time and enhance grades by submitting error-free papers. If an important paper is due and you want it to be flawless, simply show it to a professional editor before submission. An editor will polish your work to improve your progress in class and help you reach your goals.