Why You Need an Editor and How to Find a Good One! with Dr. Jules
Episode description
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Dr. Jules (Julie Conzelmann) educates us on the value of an editor and how to find a good one!
Some Universities have policies and/or guidelines related to hiring outside help. Please refer to these documents and consider discussing this choice with your Chair.
Academic writing at the doctoral level is a different “style” of writing and most struggle with this.
A good editor will save you:
- Time (the clock is ticking, even while you sleep!)
- Money (you won’t be re-enrolling in courses due to numerous re-rewrites)
- Effort (revisions are emotionally draining and kill your motivation)
Things to keep in mind:
- Be ethical - this is your document, not the editors
- You are NOT looking for a re-write
- Your academic voice must remain
- Your editor is NOT a part of your committee
- Your editor corrects the writing, formatting, and references
- The committee guides and approves your content
- It’s difficult to edit your own writing and this is not the committee’s job
- But it is their job to let you know what isn’t clear
- Using a good editor will expedite the review of your papers and keep the people reviewing your paper focused on your content
- Think of your editor as a writing tutor
When to get your document edited:
- After your committee has approved and before it goes for formal university review (Proposal and Final Document stage)
What to keep in mind when looking for an editor:
- Remember: No one is perfect!
- Scrutinize credentials and experience (certifications, teachers, etc.)
- You can seek out leads on multiple forums
- Interview people – you are the BOSS!
- Make sure you have referrals (see resources below)
- Is formatting included? (do they know the style you need to use? Are you using a template, and do they know how to work with that?)
- Will all errors be edited? (e.g., anthropomorphisms, verb tense, grammar, punctuation, etc.)
Bottom line: An editor can be the best thing to happen to you during the dissertation writing process. However: Buyer beware! Do your homework before hiring one.
How to connect with Dr. Jules (and find a great editor!):
Dr. Jules on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drconzelmanncopyeditor/
Doctoral Dissertation Cohort/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/301089466349
Doctoral Scholar Community Connection/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/376169072958256
Keep it Simple Scholars/Facebook:
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