I will do my absolute best! Be assured that I have a high rate of error spotting.

As the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) states:

"No professional proofreader should promise to make your text perfect. This is partly because no matter how well trained, experienced and diligent they are, they are still human (and that’s a good thing!). It’s also because perfection is a subjective concept. While some errors are indisputable, others are not.

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Is there an acceptable rate of errors for proofreading?

Having said that proofreaders can’t make text perfect, it is important that they catch almost all errors, because that is the main purpose of their work. Some people will assert that proofreaders should catch a certain percentage of errors, but we don’t believe this is helpful – because of the subjective nature of errors, and also because the proofreader will be working within other constraints. Excellent work depends not only on the skill of the proofreader but on the budget and schedule being adequate for the job.

Rather than using percentages to express an acceptable (or unacceptable) error rate, it’s better to think in terms of the proofreader making the text ready for publication – suitable, and of a high enough standard, for the purpose and audience required. There should be consistency and clarity, and no barriers to the reader understanding the message of the text."

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You can read more about proofreading and editing on the CIEP website.

This depends on the type of file you send me. I can check your text in Word using Track Changes, mark your text in PDF using mark-up tools (Adobe Acrobat Reader), or if you prefer paper copies, I can mark your text using BSI marks. You will get a BSI cheat sheet on the completion of the project.

I offer a 1,000-word sample proofread for £10 for big projects to see if we are a match. This allows you to assess my proofreading skills, and it allows me, as a proofreader, to estimate how long the job will take and generate a quote accordingly.

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Why do I charge a £10 fee for a sample proofread?

1. Quality matters: Your writing deserves the best, and I aim to provide top-notch editing. The £10 fee helps ensure that only those serious about improving their work take advantage of this service.

2. Focused attention: Your words are important, and the fee reflects a commitment to giving your writing the attention it deserves. It's not just a charge; it's an investment in a thorough review and helpful feedback.

3. Access to expertise: This fee opens the door to professional editing expertise. Think of it as a small investment for big improvements, a step towards turning your writing into something polished and refined.

As a member of the Chartered Institute of Editorial and Proofreading (CIEP), I am bound by their code of practice. You can read it here.

Yes. I proofread academic texts up for examination.

Details of what an editor is allowed to mark in an academic text (exam) can be found in my Thesis Code of Practice below.