Copyediting and proofreading services

WordFix provides copyediting, structural (or substantive) editing and proofreading services. Documents are edited or proofread according to an organisation’s own style guide or a recognised style guide, such as the Style manual for authors, editors and printers, commonly referred to as the ‘Australian Government Style Manual’ (current edition is 6th edition, 2002).

Editing tasks are carried out according to the Institute of Professional Editors Limited’s Australian standards for editing practice which sets out the primary standards that professional editors are required to meet.

Clients

WordFix’s clients include:

  • higher education providers
  • professional and government bodies
  • universities
  • medical research institutes
  • financial services firms
  • book and magazine publishers
  • consultancy firms
  • sporting bodies.

The objective of editing and proofreading projects

The objective of all editing and proofreading projects and services is to ensure that the content, language, structure, focus and style are in keeping with the objectives of the publication or document, and are appropriate for their intended audience.

WordFix aims to meet the client’s requirements, and deliver the completed product to the client on time and within the specified budget.

What does a copyeditor check in a document?

A copyeditor will carry out the proofreading tasks listed above but will also check a document for such things as:

  • clarity and conciseness of content
  • problems with style or sentence structure
  • internal consistency
  • visual consistency
  • completeness
  • conformity with house style
  • standardisation of references and in-text citations
  • possible errors of fact
  • possible copyright or legal issues.

What does a structural (or substantive) editor check in a document?

A structural (or substantive) editor will assess a document and determine if:

  • additional material or reader aids are required based on the intended audience
  • content needs to be reorganised or expanded to ensure the structure is logical and cohesive
  • content would be better presented in a different form, e.g. a table or list
  • any rewriting is necessary to ensure the message is clearer
  • headings and captions are relevant and helpful
  • the proposed design and illustrations are appropriate
  • the information architecture and design are effective if it is to be published online.

What does a proofreader check in a document?

Proofreading is the final task in the publishing process before a publication ‘goes live’. A proofreader will check a document for such things as:

  • grammar
  • spelling
  • punctuation.

Work is carried out in either hard or soft copy, depending on the client’s preference.