Our Editing Process

Proofreading, copyediting, rewriting, checking and correcting spelling, typos, punctuation, word choice, grammar, sentence structure, continuity, style, and tone. Our brains are simply hard-wired to do these things.

We correct spelling (homonyms are often tricky), punctuation, grammar, word usage (such as "affect" and "effect," "fewer" and "less," "loan" and "lend"), sentence structure, levels of usage, tone of language, and any other errors we find. If we have a question, we contact you.

When you receive your edited papers, you may see a pattern of changes that should alert you to check yourself in your next document. If you don't readily see why we changed something, ask us. As you learn the rules, you could become so proficient you may need us only for a final look at your most important work. And when we do look at it, there should be far less need for revision. If it takes less of our time, it will cost you less.

Your word processor may have a "spelling checker," but often a writer will not notice the use of a wrong homonym. If you use have autocorrect turned on, it will probably "correct" definately to defiantly when you meant to use definitely.

Of course, Murphy's Law applies here: If you miss the error, it will jump out at the person you are trying to impress.

Spelling and usage decisions made by new eyes editors are based on the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Academic style is based on the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5th Edition (APA), the MLA Handbook, 5th Edition, and the Chicago Manual of Style, 14th edition. We also use the Associated Press handbook.