Essay Proofreading | Options, Cost & Checklist

• Jul 07, 2023
• 4 min read

• Tags: Essay, Essay Editing, Essay Proofreading, Proofreading

Most of us underestimate the value of essay proofreading and save it for the last minute. However, errors in writing not only reduce the credibility of your essay but also create a poor impression on the reader. Impeccable essay proofreading is key to making your hard work shine. 

In this article, we will guide you on your options for professional essay proofreading and answer several questions along the way. But let’s start with the basics. What actually is essay proofreading?

What is essay proofreading?

Proofreading refers to the process of reviewing and polishing a finished essay. It involves correcting mechanical errors such as spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. It is the final step before the submission of your essay. 

Essay proofreading encompasses the following factors:

• Ensuring that coherence, clarity, and consistency are maintained throughout your essay
• Correcting mechanical errors and inconsistencies such as spelling, grammar, syntax, and punctuation
• Correcting textual and formatting errors such as inconsistent capitalization, spaces, font style, and size
• Rectifying inconsistencies and errors in citation styles
• Ensuring capitalization of headings
• Ensuring that all figures, tables, and graphs are properly labeled and formatted

Proofreading your essay makes it more clear and readable. It also helps reduce confusion when it comes to complex sentences. You can use tools like Grammarly or ProWritingAid to make this process easier. However, if you want a more refined product, you should consider consulting a professional. 

What does an essay proofreader do?

The main job of an essay proofreader is to identify and amend readability issues. They comb through your essay eliminating errors related to grammar, spelling, punctuation, and syntax. 

An essay proofreader specifically performs the following tasks:

• Ensuring proper formatting and capitalization
• Amending incorrectly used terminology
• Correcting errors and inconsistencies in citation styles
• Fixing layout issues in graphs, tables, and diagrams
• Fixing grammar, spelling, and readability issues

Expert proofreaders with several years of experience under their belt are familiar with multiple style guides. However, looking for proofreaders specific to your subject is a good idea. Proofreading firms achieve this by assigning your essay to a proofreader who is well-versed in the particular topic.

Why hire a professional editor?

Professionals are not only trained to spot the most minute of errors but are also familiar with different style guides. Proofreading an essay is not an easy task for everyone. Nobody is immune to making errors. The best writers may miss out on a comma, or make a silly spelling error. These silly errors mar an otherwise flawlessly written essay. 

Professionals improve the quality, flow, and overall readability of your essay. They are also familiar with formatting guidelines for various universities as well as different courses. They can detect and correct any errors in referencing styles, incorrect capitalizations, or inconsistencies in formatting.  

Proofreading firms employ a wide range of subject matter experts for academic essay proofreading. These experts have prior knowledge of a particular topic and can detect subtle errors that usually go unnoticed by most students. 

Professional college essay proofreading not only refines your essay but ensures that it complies with the university and course guidelines. 

How much does essay proofreading cost?

On average, the cost of proofreading a 1,000-word essay ranges from $10 to $50. However, this cost varies greatly depending on the technicality of your essay, the turnaround time, and the skill of the proofreader. 

Different proofreaders also use different metrics to charge clients. Some charge per word, whereas others charge per hour. Despite these differences, we’ve compiled a list of the average proofreading costs for the best essay proofreading services.

Essay proofreading checklist

Although getting your essay professionally proofread will make things much easier for you, it can be pricey. If you’d much rather proofread your own essay, there are several checks you must perform. We have created an essay proofreading checklist to help you effectively conduct these checks. 

This essay proofreading checklist will help you cover all the basics of proofreading. While following the checklist, make sure to focus on one step at a time. We have ensured that this checklist follows a logical order and focuses on broader issues to the most minute of errors. 

We realize that you might have several doubts about proofreading, editing, and writing essays. As providers of editing and proofreading services, we are happy to help you! To clarify your doubts and help you perfect your essays, we have created the following resources: 

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Tanvi

With a foundation in Life Sciences, Tanvi enjoys curating technical writing tips tailored for ESL students. When she's not translating complex concepts into bite-sized nuggets, she can be found playing with dogs or painting landscapes.