I’m Dr. Bailey Lang, founder of The Writing Desk. I provide writing and editing services for businesses, schools, and individuals, including graduate students. And today, I’m here to talk about why you might, or might not, want to work with an editor for your dissertation.
I’ve wanted to be an editor since I first learned editing was a real job. Still, it took a detour into corporate marketing and a Ph.D. program in rhetoric and writing studies before I decided to make that goal a reality.
What does an editor do?
An editor’s job is to help you, the writer, produce the best possible text. Editing takes a few common forms, ranging from complex and high-level suggestions to focusing on minor issues.
Developmental editing (sometimes called structural editing) involves taking a big-picture perspective: is everything organized logically? Is the structure sound, or will the entire thing come tumbling down at the slightest whiff of critique from a committee member or, worse, Reviewer Two?
A developmental editor’s bird’s-eye view of your article or dissertation helps you spot pitfalls before you stumble into them—something that’s notoriously difficult to do by yourself. (Even professional editors rely on editors when we write!) Early developmental editing can help you avoid significant rewrites, to say nothing of embarrassing conversations with your chair.
Then there’s line editing (sometimes called style or stylistic editing). During line editing, your editor reviews the draft to ensure your argument flows well and your language is consistent and clear.
Copy editing involves assessing your draft for accuracy, consistency, and correctness. A copy editor can, for example, ensure that your citations match your preferred style or the style dictated by a particular academic publisher.
Finally, there’s proofreading. Proofreading is usually the last stage of edits before a project goes to print and involves a final review for lingering typos and formatting issues.
It’s wise to start with developmental and line editing first, then move to copy editing and proofreading once the draft is close to complete. Here’s why: if you pay someone to proofread your manuscript and then realize your argument has a fatal flaw, you’ll wind up rewriting it—meaning you’ll need someone to proofread it again!
What does an editor not do?
There are a couple of things an editor shouldn’t do.
The first thing an editor shouldn’t do is write the content. That’s co-authorship! You are the writer, which means you’re responsible for writing. An editor can make suggestions, but rewriting material on your behalf is not an editor’s job. Avoiding co-authorship is especially critical for dissertation projects, where sole authorship is essential.
Second, an editor shouldn’t make you feel bad. The common imagination paints editors as stern-faced red pen-wielding grammar monsters—and although such people exist, I encourage you to avoid them!
An editor will point out issues, mistakes, and problems (that’s why you hire one, after all). However, a good editor will make you feel supported and empowered. A good editor is like a coach: we want you to succeed, and we’ll give you the tools and scaffolding you need to do so.
Do I really need an editor?
Hiring an editor is a personal decision, but I recommend considering it. Editing is an investment in your writing that can pay dividends in terms of time saved and stress reduced.
That said, hiring an editor is an investment—and I’m not so far removed from my grad school years that I’ve forgotten how lean they can be!
Many editors are willing to work with graduate students on a sliding scale or at a discounted rate. Some programs may have professional development funds to provide additional financial support.
Whether you want a full developmental edit or a final review before submitting a draft, working with an editor is a great way to improve your writing and build new skills.
If you’re interested in talking about editing (whether for a specific project or as a career option!), I’d love to chat.