Dissertation & Thesis Editing: Proofreading Tips
for Doctoral and Graduate Students

How Important is Editing?

     Writing your dissertation or thesis can be an arduous task. Editing that writing can be even more so, especially if you don't know where to look for help. Dissertation advisors are knowledgeable, but many do not expect to edit their students' disserations. As a result, they sometimes don't go the extra mile in providing the type of help you might need to edit your dissertation in a timely fashion.

     The typical dissertation or thesis can take four to eight weeks to edit. The less prepared you are to edit, the longer it will take you. To effectively edit your dissertation or thesis, you need to step away from it. Learn to edit your work without hindering progress towards its completion. You must always remember that you are the only person who can keep the process moving along. If you are having difficulty editing your own writing and your advisor is unable or unwilling to assist you, get help from a dissertation consultant. Don't let the task of editing slow you down! No one else is going to edit your dissertation for you. Others can offer you editing assistance, but ultimately, it's your dissertation and you are responsible for editing it. Don't you have enough to do to complete the dissertation without having to edit it, as well? Get Dissertation Editing Help Today

The Role of Your Dissertation Coach

     For the strongest scholarly product, you should get help from a dissertation coach. The right coach will be trustworthy, knowledgeable, available and willing to provide you with specific editing help for each section of your dissertation. While your dissertation chair may be able to provide some editing advice with regards to what is missing from your dissertation, your chair's advice will be nowhere near as comprehensive as the editing help provided by a dissertation coach. A coach can meet with you by phone, on a regular basis and at your convenience, to discuss editing help. And, if you send your dissertation as a file, your coach can perform line-by-line edits of your work.

     Be clear with your coach about your deadline for various edits. Give your coach electronic and/or hard copies of the various sections of your work and be clear about how edits will be made to your writing. Will your coach give you an edited electronic version of your dissertation or a hard copy? It's up to you to let your coach know what type of editing you prefer (i.e. electronic or paper editing). It will help to make these editing decisions in advance. Request Dissertation or Thesis Editing Services

What Parts of the Dissertation Can a Coach Edit?

     A dissertation coach can edit your research question to ensure that you are using the proper language and grammar. A coach also can edit your literature review for grammar, tone, comprehension and style. Above all else, your writing should be grammatically correct. Always try to use formal grammar; don't use slang terminology in your writing. If you are having trouble editing the grammar, get editing help. A coach will edit your work so the writing is clear, concise and consistent. No one wants to edit their dissertation after writing it, but a dissertation coach will.