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This is one of the most common questions I get and the truth is, it depends!
If you are a native speaker who has written content before or have lived for several years in the US, then perhaps proofreading is all you need. A second pair of eyes to dot the i’s and cross the t’s can put your mind at rest and proofreading is certainly the most budget-friendly option.
When you are not accustomed to writing professionally or have some doubts about the structure, grammar, and flow of your text you may need someone to take a deeper look.
* Is that the right tense?
* Is the tone of voice consistent?
* Is this expression appropriate in the context?
All these doubts indicate that you’ll need someone to edit and perhaps rewrite parts of your text.
A mini case study to help you decide:
Last year I began working with the owner of an online magazine, called Hello Harlem. She had excellent spoken English and her initial messages to me were perfectly clear. She was unsure whether she needed editing or proofreading services.
When I looked over her first article I noticed the following areas of improvement:
- Unusual word order, leading to awkward-sounding sentences
- Informal and formal expressions living alongside each other
- Paragraphs which suddenly ended, soon after they had begun
I explained to the (lovely) owner that editing & rewriting was the best approach here, as this went beyond superficial tweaks. She agreed and I’ve been editing for her ever since
In any case, if you’re wondering whether you need proofreading or editing, the best way to know for sure is to reach out!
I’ll give your text a quick once over, check who your audience is and give you my verdict. Then you can decide which option you prefer.
#Proofreading
#Editing
#ProfressionalWriting