English proofreading is quite a necessity for English written works. These works could range from an article, journal, or a book to a thesis, dissertation, or report. Regardless of the type of work you’ve written, if it’s in English or any other language type, it’ll need proofreading.
All writers, regardless of the level, are prone to errors. Also, because the presence of these errors can hinder the actual message or intent of the written work, it’s thus necessary to proofread before publishing or submitting.
Apart from this, these errors can mar your reputation as a writer and influence how the reader views your future pieces. For a student, sending in work that’s glistening with errors will negatively impact the awarded grade. Hence, in all works of life, English proofreading is non-negotiable.
What English Proofreading Entails
It’s as simple as it sounds. English proofreading involves reviewing the written work based on the required English standards, vetting its conciseness, engagement, and clarity, and then moving on to highlight and correct recovered errors from the written work.
As simple as it seems, it’s very detailed work as it involves reviewing the entire written content word for word, line by line, every sentence, paragraph, page, and chapter.
Depending on the length of the piece and the proofreader’s experience, it could take anywhere from an hour to a day or more to proofread an entire written piece. To a non-professional, it can be a lot of work, especially when you already have so much on your plate. This is why it’s always best to outsource English proofreading to a service provider.
Sourcing for an English Proofreader
There are a lot of English proofreading outlets and services on the market today. There are even software applications that can facilitate your proofreading process. However, when hiring an English proofreader either from a digital platform or the internet, there are vital features that you need to look out for. It is these features that’ll determine the quality of the work that’ll be done for you.
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Experience
The experience of the English proofreader will determine the quality of their service. Novices very often seem to overlook specific errors or structural defects as they do not know any better (common structural problems).
You need a proofreader that’ll be very thorough with your work, and this is why you should go for one with professional experience. Also, the proofreader’s experience level affects the turnaround time as beginners will always take up more time than professionals.
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Qualification
Qualification is such an important criterion when selecting an English proofreading service provider. This being said, proficiency with the use of English is mandatory for a proofreader. Hence, to guarantee this proficiency, a proofreader must possess a Master’s degree in English or its related courses. This degree is a criterion for employment in proofreading agencies and hence, can be applicable to you when outsourcing for a proofreader.
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Rates
English proofreaders charge differently. However, it is an established fact that they charge per word count. The rates a client is expected to pay will differ from the next client because of the length of the written work, structure, and type.
Also, it’s important to add that the attributed rates of each English proofreader are dependent on the experience, level of qualification, and stipulated turnaround time of the proofreader. Hence, a client needs to really do his/her homework before employing an English proofreader.
Wrapping It Up
Outsourcing your proofreading services to a professional can only be beneficial to you. You gain a whole lot and increase your credibility as a writer, student, etc., through the improved quality of your written work, which can be bestowed on you by an English proofreading service.
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