5 TIPS FOR CHOOSING THE RIGHT PROOFREADING SERVICE

Be sure to follow these best practices when choosing an English proofreading service. Do your research before entrusting your work to the hands of another—remember that the road to an error-free product begins here.

·         Choose a native speaker of English
Mastering the English language can take years, whether for learning idiomatic expressions or simply for getting a handle on the peculiarities of English grammar—and they are many. You can save yourself time and trouble by hiring a native English speaker to do the heavy lifting for you. When you examine a manuscript editing company, then, don’t be afraid to ask the hard questions. Before anything else, find out whether its editorial team comprises native English speakers. When you make this your first consideration, you’re laying the foundation for a manuscript that meets truly international standards for written English. 

·         Choose a subject matter expert
in choosing the right proofreading service, punctuation, terminology, and the conventions of written English, including phraseology and diction, differ from subject to subject. For example, wording that is incorrect in general English might be accepted usage in the medical field. For specialized work, even editors who are native speakers of English might not always be masters of the linguistic nuances specific to your field of endeavor. To protect your manuscript from well-intended changes that unintentionally detract from its quality, choose a manuscript editing service that gives you access to editors who have extensive experience working in your subject area.

·         Look for familiarity with academic and scientific editing
Journals can be very strict in the formatting guidelines and even the writing conventions to which they expect adherence. To ensure correct formatting, you’ll want a manuscript editing company whose editors can draw on years of experience editing references and citations while adhering to stipulations of font, margins, and more. If you’re unsure, ask whether your chosen editing or proofreading service provider can bring to bear a thorough knowledge of publication practices and research writing conventions. To get a preliminary idea, review the resource articles the company provides on its website: do these discuss topics relevant to academic and scientific publishing?

·         Check for after-editing support
sometimes, after your manuscript has been edited, you will want to get your editor’s input on a question or will need to submit a part of your manuscript for a touch-up when you’ve finalized it. When you do, you’ll need a service provider that can give you a quick answer and that can do speedy work without compromising quality. Look for a company that responds promptly and that prides itself in its ability to handle quick-turnaround submissions. You don’t want to be helpless with a submission deadline looming.

·         Check for stringent security measures
Your manuscript is the fruit of your labors, and you’ll need to safeguard it until you see it in print. When you choose an English editing service, select one whose security measures can guarantee the security and confidentiality of your research. If you’re unsure, then get in touch—ask the questions now that will preserve the integrity of your work later on.