Dissertation Proofreading: Four Easy-to-Follow Steps

Proofreading a dissertation differs from dissertation editing in the aspect that it does not drastically change the composition of the manuscript. The fundamental purpose of dissertation proofreading is to enhance a document's linguistic clarity and formatting. And as such, the amount of time required to proofread is lower than that needed to edit a dissertation. It is an integral part of the dissertation submission process that ensures a manuscript's overall veracity. But, owing to its low turnaround time and seemingly lackluster objective, many academics do not prioritize proofreading adequately.

28.04.2022

Dissertation Proofreading: Four Easy-to-Follow Steps

Dissertation proofreading is an undertaking next in the hierarchy to the editing and revising stages. It is the final step in the writing process that primarily seeks to eliminate all grammatical, lexical, syntactical, and any other surface-level errors from a dissertation.

Proofreading a dissertation differs from dissertation editing in the aspect that it does not drastically change the composition of the manuscript. The fundamental purpose of dissertation proofreading is to enhance a document's linguistic clarity and formatting. And as such, the amount of time required to proofread is lower than that needed to edit a dissertation.

It is an integral part of the dissertation submission process that ensures a manuscript's overall veracity. But, owing to its low turnaround time and seemingly lackluster objective, many academics do not prioritize proofreading adequately.

They either schedule it right before the deadline as an obligatory gesture or simply skip over it. However, although an ancillary step, proofreading demands as much validation and expertise as the other stages in the writing process.

It necessitates an academic to be thorough with the conventions of the language used in the document and have an eye for detail. In other words, proofreading is a more demanding and crucial process than one considers it to be. Thus, for every academic looking to excel at writing worthy dissertations, mastering proofreading is one of the prerequisites.

Four steps to ensure effective dissertation proofreading

Proofreading might come across as a straightforward process not requiring much preparation. However, if not executed in an organized manner, it can get convoluted quickly.

The following steps combat such scenarios by dividing proofreading into a series of comprehensible and easy-to-follow tasks.

1. Initiate proofreading after an appropriate interval

Proofreading is not an immediate process. Ideally, it requires writers to forget the perspective(s) they formed during the writing stage and review their manuscripts in a new light. And this is only possible when writers insert an interval between the writing and the proofreading stages.

Thus, before starting to proofread a manuscript, writers should take a gap substantial enough to help them let go of any contextual biases. Once they are free from any preset stance(s), they can assess the mistakes in their manuscripts with increased clarity. 

Also, the intervals typically range from mere hours to days and even weeks. Hence, writers should decide beforehand on the time they can afford to give the proofreading process instead of setting some aside at the last minute.

2. Decide on an approach

In the recent two decades, the dominance of screens over paper has altered several aspects of our lives. And proofreading is one of them.

Today, it is not uncommon to see academics prefer their computer screens to proofread their dissertations. However, there are also those that hail the supremacy of paper-based proofreading - using rulers, highlighters, pencils, and what not to scrutinize their manuscripts. Thus, writers should decide which proofreading approach —screen-based, paper-based, or a combination of both — to abide by.

This step also involves fixating on online writing tools to help with proofreading. The accuracy of these tools is contestable, but they significantly reduce the time and complexity of the proofreading process. However, while we promote the use of these tools, given their benefits, we ask you not to rely on them entirely. While these tools are exceptional and beyond, they are still programs powered by artificial intelligence and software set by strict rules. Therefore, it is always better to edit and proofread with these tools and then check your text manually or hire professional editing and proofreading services for a flawless result.

3. Adhere to the institutional guidelines regarding dissertations

Every institution offers a dedicated set of formatting guidelines for dissertations. These typically include specifications of the paper used, the margins, the layout of the manuscript, length of the text, etc.

When proofreading, writers should first check whether their manuscripts duly abide by these guidelines. Also, this is the step where writers should review the citations as well - the references and the appropriate styles.

4. Seek a second opinion

Proofreading is predominantly a lone endeavor. However, there are scenarios when even the most meticulous proofreaders overlook a few mistakes and inconsistencies in their texts due to their opinionated view(s).

In such cases, having a second set of eyes to offer feedback can be highly beneficial. A second opinion can unearth any hidden flaws in the text, point out any "comma" or spacing errors, rearrange a sentence for increased legibility, etc.

Dissertation proofreading: Synopsis

Dissertation proofreading is a strategic venture that entails governing various variables to achieve a targeted outcome. After all, even the most well-researched and put together dissertation can fall prey to reduced credibility if not proofread before submission. Thus, it is essential that academics review their manuscripts more than once after the writing phase. And while doing so, they follow the steps mentioned above (in the given order) to maximize their proofreading efforts.

If you need us to make your manuscript shine, contact us unhesitatingly!

Best Edit & Proof expert editors and proofreaders focus on offering manuscripts with proper tone, content, and style of academic writing, and also provide an upscale editing and proofreading service for you. If you consider our pieces of advice, you will witness a notable increase in the chance for your research manuscript to be accepted by the publishers. We work together as an academic writing style guide by bestowing subject-area editing and proofreading around several categorized writing styles. With the group of our expert editors, you will always find us all set to help you identify the tone and style that your manuscript needs to get a nod from the publishers.

English manuscript formatting service

You can also avail of our assistance if you are looking for editors who can format your manuscript, or just check on the particular styles for the formatting task as per the guidelines provided to you, e.g., APA, MLA, or Chicago/Turabian styles. Best Edit & Proof editors and proofreaders provide all sorts of academic writing help, including editing and proofreading services, using our user-friendly website, and a streamlined ordering process.

Get a free quote for editing and proofreading now!

Visit our order page if you want our subject-area editors or language experts to work on your manuscript to improve its tone and style and give it a perfect academic tone and style through proper editing and proofreading. The process of submitting a paper is very easy and quick. Click here to find out how it works.

Our pricing is based on the type of service you avail of here, be it editing or proofreading. We charge on the basis of the word count of your manuscript that you submit for editing and proofreading and the turnaround time it takes to get it done. If you want to get an instant price quote for your project, copy and paste your document or enter your word count into our pricing calculator.

Dissertation proofreading

24/7 customer support | Live support

Contact us to get support with academic editing and proofreading. We have a 24/7 active live chat mode to offer you direct support along with qualified editors to refine and furbish your manuscript.

Dissertation proofreading

Stay tuned for updated information about editing and proofreading services!

Follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn,  Facebook, Instagram, and Medium.

For more posts, click here. 

This article gives you 4 easy-to-follow steps to proofread a dissertation effectively. To give you an opportunity to practice proofreading, we have left a few spelling, punctuation, or grammatical errors in the text. See if you can spot them! If you spot the errors correctly, you will be entitled to a 10% discount.

They Also Read

Editing Proofreading
Editing and Proofreading — Know the Crucial Differences
28.04.2022

When you start with academic writing, it is easy to confuse editing and proofreading. Each service requires close and careful reading but uses different methods and focuses on different aspects of the manuscript. Both services produce different outcomes for writers, and therefore, our potential clients must be aware of what they do. As a beginner, you may make the same common mistake as the rest, but we are here to help things set straight. In this article, we will learn the exact meaning behind these two concepts, what they are, and how they are different from each other.

Continue Reading
Editing & Proofreading Editing Proofreading
How Editing and Proofreading Services Improve Your Academic Work
28.04.2022

No matter what type of article or content you're working on, editing and proofreading can do wonders to improve your work and give the perfect finishing touch to it. While many think that editing and proofreading are just formalities, these contribute to the quality of your work. Precisely why editing and proofreading are essential steps in the writing process and which have professionals dedicated to this field. If you, too, are wondering how these two activities can help you improve your work, this article is all that you will need.

Continue Reading
Editing & Proofreading Editing Proofreading
Editing and Proofreading Services: Important Features to Know
28.04.2022

For all people in the academic or literary industry, it is a well-known fact that no content is deemed complete without editing and proofreading. It is that much of an important part of the writing process and cannot be overlooked. Therefore, hiring professionals is a wise idea. However, if you are new to this, availing yourself of the right editing and proofreading services can be quite confusing. Here, we will discuss all the things you need to be careful about while availing of professional editing and proofreading services.

Continue Reading
Editing & Proofreading
Why Do You Need Editing and Proofreading Services?
28.04.2022

While writing a piece on any subject, generally, we focus on the facts that make up the actual content. While we focus on writing the right words, we may neglect some grammatical mistakes and other writing mistakes. This is where editing and proofreading come into the picture.

Continue Reading
Editing & Proofreading Editing Proofreading
Academic Editing vs. Academic Proofreading
28.04.2022

There is always a misconception regarding academic editing and academic proofreading. Although they can be used interchangeably, editing and proofreading services are two different stages of the revision process. In this article, the concepts of proofreading and editing will be cleared accordingly, focusing on the basic differences as well as techniques to accomplish both tasks.

Continue Reading
Editing & Proofreading Editing Proofreading
Four Most Common Types of Editing: Which One Do You Need?
28.04.2022

Many researchers get confused about what can or cannot be labeled as editing. There are still people who tend to confuse proofreading with editing as the same thing. However, that is not the case. Proofreading is a type of editing and falls under the process of writing. In this article, we will take the liberty to go through some of the most basic and most important types of editing that you must know of.

Continue Reading
Editing & Proofreading Editing Proofreading
How to Find the Perfect Editor and Proofreader for Your Works
28.04.2022

Some researchers or college students do not want to rely on an editor or a proofreader, thinking that they might sabotage their work. However, that is seldom the case, or you have had very bad luck with your editor or proofreader. A perfect editor and/or proofreader will help you bring out the best version of your work while keeping the work true to its original form. This article gives you some helpful tips for finding the right editor and proofreader for your manuscript.

Continue Reading