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Cross Your Finish Line With Academic Proofreading

Understanding the Basics of Academic Paper Proofreading

Cross Your Finish Line With Academic Proofreading

After countless months and hours of research, writing and editing, you are now ready for the final hurdle: publication.

When considering the quality of the research you are confident that your text is ready for submission. But unless you happen to be an academic paper proofreading expert, the chances are that it is not quite ready to be published. Before submitting your work, it is crucial to bring it up to publication standards by means of professional academic proofreading services.

Improve Your Chances of Getting Your Research Published

Estimates from metacognitive research show that there are approximately 2 million academic papers published annually in over 30,000 journals. And these are the lucky ones; 80% of academic articles are rejected and aren’t published. Considering those numbers and calculating the odds, it is a prudent decision to sharpen the resolution, as it were, of your manuscript, elevating it to the highest tier of your field.

Not only will the product be a paper in which you have great confidence, but more so, it is a proven method of increasing the chances for publication in respectable journals and with top publishers.

Even if you already have a solid publication avenue, it is important to remember the essential added benefit of scientific editing and manuscript proofreading. A polished, error-free paper allows editors, reviewers, and your target audience to focus on what's really important: the information and messages of your manuscript.

Generic Proofreading vs. Academic Proofreading

In general, proofreading a non-academic manuscript requires close attention to detail, advanced knowledge of language and grammar, and the ability to discern incongruities, inconsistencies, and irregularities.

Specifically, proofreading academic papers requires additional skill sets, thus enabling the work to be included together with the top research in the field.

Perhaps this concept is best demonstrated by the following example from the COVID-19 crises:

Author’s text: In conclusion: the COVID-19 vaccine which was developed in 2020 by “Wu and Cohen” successfully passed all medical trials and they proudly announced that “The vaccine will be available by next week free of charge to the worldwide public”.

Academic proofreader’s suggestion: In conclusion, the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Wu and Cohen (2020) has successfully passed all medical trials. “The vaccine will be available by next week, free of charge, to the worldwide public,” they proudly announced.

5 Tips Regarding Your Choice of Academic Proofreader

To summarize, here is a list of the top five things to consider when procuring the services of an academic proofreader:

  • Language. Look for an editing professional with robust knowledge of the language of your work. Keep in mind that nothing will ever really replace the precision of a mother-tongue.
  • Computer skills. Your proofreader should be computer literate and be used to conducting basic research. Be sure they use tracked changes so you can see the changes they make.
  • Critical thinking. Proofreading demands a tremendous amount of attention to detail but is not merely a technical procedure. Superb analytical skills are essential.
  • Academic compatibility. Don’t underestimate the added value of a proofreader with relevant background to your specific field of research.
  • Professionalism and Persistence. The demands of this work can be quite draining. Make sure that your proofreader of choice has the necessary attributes of vigilance and diligence and can meet your deadline.
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