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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: https://www.facebook.com/Keep-it-Simple-Scholars-by-Dr-Jules-1101217903251116

 Books by Dr. Jules:

• Keep It Simple Scholars! Volume 1: A Basic Guide for Writing and Editing Dissertations and Theses https://amzn.to/3657lar

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