Editing Services

Students

An HDR candidate may employ a professional editor to edit for format, grammar and style (see also HDR Procedure) with agreement from their supervisor.  If the HDR candidate has used an editor, the thesis must include a statement of Professional editorial assistance in the front matter. The editor must not alter or improve the substantive content or conceptual organisation of the thesis.

Find an editor

Charles Sturt University does not provide editing services for HDR candidates.

The Institute of Professional Editors has an Editors Directory where Professional members can list their services on its website at https://www.iped-editors.org/find-an-editor/; you can search the directory for editors with expertise in particular genres and specialist skills.  Then you need to contact the editor you are interested in and decide after discussion with your supervisor if you would be comfortable working with that editor.

Staff

Charles Sturt University provides a free manuscript editing service for academics from all faculties.

The aim of the service is to improve the quality of papers being submitted to academic journals and increase publication acceptance rates.

This service is not available to students.

Please make use of the service if you are planning to submit a journal paper or are working on any other report for external stakeholders.

Editing Service Application Form (for academic staff)

For any questions about the editing service contact Mark Filmer.

Some testimonials

Thank you so much…I expected you to write me comments on how to improve, and you’ve done the improvements – I’m incredibly grateful – FOAE academic

Thanks…this is really helpful to have your input before submission. Much appreciated ­– FOB academic

I just wanted to thank you for editing and improving the quality of the paper. This only happened because you were so patient with us making suggestions and comments. Thank you very much for your dedication and on time delivery– FOB academic

Thank you so much for [your] editing. Please extend my thanks to Charles Sturt admin for providing such service. You did very professionally – FOAE academic

FAQS

How does it work?

To access to the service, complete the application form and email a copy of your draft manuscript to the Research Editor, Mark Filmer. The form asks for the targeted journal so the journal’s submission requirements (word count, citation/referencing style, preferred spelling) can be checked before the proofreading and editing process takes place.

Manuscripts are accepted for editing on the basis that they are ready for submission pending a final check. All edits made are usually relatively minor and are done to improve the readability, flow, or structure of the text.

How long will it take?

The turnaround time varies depending on the current workload. As a rule, you should allow 2 weeks for the edited version to be returned.

Can I submit other material to the editing service?

The editing service also accepts other material, including book chapters (and complete books), editorials, letters to editors of journals, grant applications, submissions to parliamentary inquiries, and consultancy reports. You can check about other documents by emailing the Research Editor, Mark Filmer.

Who is the Research Editor?

Mark Filmer is based in Orange. Mark has a background in print journalism and spent many years working as a sub-editor for various newspapers and magazines. He is a professional member of the Institute of Professional Editors and a published author (New book examines 1980s ‘wide comb’ shearers’ dispute - CSU News).

What happens to my document?

  • All documents are edited in Microsoft Word using track changes
  • Each document gets checked for spelling and grammar
  • Word use consistency is checked (e.g., focused/focussed and hyphenations such as well-being/wellbeing)
  • Citations are checked to ensure
    • They match the journal style
    • They are included in the end list of References
    • Quoted page numbers match the corresponding reference’s page range
  • References are checked
    • To make sure they are cited in the main text
    • Sometimes Google Scholar or other databases are used to check details of the references
  • Sentence tenses are checked to make sure they are consistent
  • Consistency in heading structures is checked
  • Often the text is edited to make it more concise/punchy, for example
    • has the ability to/has the capacity to/is capable of/is able to → can
    • due to the fact that → because
    • figure out the identity of → identify
    • take in account → consider
  • Mistakes are corrected and can be seen via track changes
  • Suggestions on how to improve the text are sometimes included as comments via track changes
  • If a significant change is made (or suggested), an explanation is offered via track changes

What does not happen?

  • Sentences/paragraphs are not rewritten or changed just for the sake of changing them
  • The editor does not cut large chunks of text, although occasionally sections that could be cut to reduce the word count are highlighted
  • The editor is not a subject expert, so cannot check the accuracy of any technical details included in your paper