Elsevier Author Services – Articles
  • Language Editing Services
  • Translation Services
  • Illustration Services
  • Author’s Webshop
Facebook
LinkedIn
YouTube
WeChat
x
Elsevier Author Services – Articles
Language Editing Services by Elsevier Author Services
Elsevier Author Services – Articles
  • Research Process
  • Manuscript Preparation
  • Manuscript Review
  • Publication Process
  • Publication Recognition
  • English
    • 简体中文
Proofreading-or-editing
  • Manuscript Review

Proofreading or Editing?

  • 4 minute read
  • 32.9K views
Total
50
Shares
50
0
0
0
0

Proofreading or editing?
Which service do you need to get your article published?

When an article is submitted to a high-quality journal, it is examined critically before it is selected for peer review. For instance, at Elsevier, between 30 and 50 percent of articles submitted to our journals are rejected before they even reach the peer-review stage, and one of the top reasons for rejection is poor language.

Make sure your work is submission-ready

The journal submission process is also often extremely time-consuming; it can take up to 25 weeks before your work has been reviewed. After all of that waiting, you don’t want to take the risk that your work will be rejected for language reasons.

In order to make sure your work is submission-ready, it is a good idea to have a professional examine and correct your article for any language-related errors. There are a lot of options available.

Now the question is: Should you choose a proofreading service or a language editing service?

What is the differences between proofreading and editing?

The terms ‘proofreading’ and ‘editing’ are sometimes used interchangeably, but in fact, there are important differences between the two.

Proofreading focuses on correcting superficial errors in spelling, grammar, syntax, punctuation, and formatting. Therefore, it normally occurs at the end of the writing process as a final step before submitting a paper which is otherwise ready to be published.

On the other hand, editing takes a deeper look at how information and ideas are presented. While editing includes all steps involved in proofreading, the focus is on making changes that make an article easier to understand, better organized, and more suitable for the audience. Because editing is an essential part of formulating a research argument, it occurs multiple times throughout the writing process.

Proofreading or editing: which service do I need?

Researchers often believe that they only need proofreading to finalize their articles before submission. However, in our experience, proofreading is often not enough, and when we edit papers we always have suggestions for authors on how to better structure and present the content of their articles.

An editor who understands your field can provide even more useful feedback. For example, the editors we work with are PhD-level professionals selected according to your research area, so they have the subject matter expertise experience necessary to understand and critique your work on a deeper level.

Submitting a paper that is not only error-free but also clear and understandable is essential to get published. With proofreading alone, you miss out on the kind of constructive criticism that could make the difference between your manuscript getting accepted or not.

Because we have found that there is always room for improvement, we are convinced that authors should have their papers edited and proofread before submitting. That’s why we include both editing and proofreading in our English Language Editing and Language Editing Plus services.

Do I need Language Editing or Language Editing Plus?

The main difference between Elsevier’s English Language Editing and Language Editing Plus services is that Plus includes unlimited rounds of editing, along with other premium editing services.

If you are confident that your paper is nearly ready and that you will submit it directly after editing, then English Language Editing should be the best option for you.

However, it is not uncommon for an author to rewrite portions of their paper late in the writing process. These last-minute changes should also be edited since the rewritten text should not only be checked for superficial errors but also for consistency and cohesiveness with the rest of the article.

If you believe that parts or sections of your article will need to be rewritten multiple times before it becomes the final version and you would, therefore, like to take advantage of multiple editing rounds, you’ll need Language Editing Plus.

Conclusion

Poor language is one of the top reasons why journals reject articles. Having your article corrected for language errors will allow reviewers to focus on the quality of your research rather than your language skills and should increase your chances of getting published.

While proofreading is an important final step before submitting a paper which is otherwise ready to be published, it only focuses on correcting superficial errors. Meanwhile, editing takes a deeper look at the content of your paper and can help make it much easier to understand, better organized, and more suitable for the audience. With proofreading alone, you miss out on the kind of feedback that can make the difference between getting published or not.

Because both proofreading and editing are essential to helping you produce the best possible paper, we include both editing and proofreading in our English Language Editing and Language Editing Plus services.

Language editing services by Elsevier Author Services:

Explore our Language Editing Plus: in just 5 working days it includes unlimited rounds of language review, manuscripts formatting to fit your target journal’s requirements, customized cover letter, and an assessment report among other services. Use our Language Editing simulator to learn about the final price and off you go!

Type in wordcount for Plus

Total:

$135

Contact us if your manuscript is longer than 9,000 words.
Within 2 business days
Upload

Total
50
Shares
Post 50
Tweet 0
Share 0
Send 0
Message 0
Previous Article
  • Publication Recognition

Sharing a passion for science

View Post
Next Article
Looking-for-Professional-Editing-Services
  • Manuscript Preparation

Looking for Professional Editing Services

View Post
You May Also Like
What is the main purpose of proofreading a paper?
View Post
  • Manuscript Review

What is the main purpose of proofreading a paper?

Systematic review vs meta-analysis
View Post
  • Manuscript Review

Systematic Review VS Meta-Analysis

Looking for Medical Editing Services - Elsevier
View Post
  • Manuscript Review

Looking for Medical Editing Services

View Post
  • Manuscript Review

Top language mistakes for rejection

  • Medical Translation Services

    Medical Translation Services: Engage with researchers in their own language

    • 5 minute read
    View Post
  • Gained in translation – launching your international career

    • 3 minute read
    View Post
  • What is a research gap

    What is a Research Gap

    • 3 minute read
    View Post
  • Publishing your medical research paper: Find the right journal

    Publishing your Medical Research Paper: Find the right journal

    • 4 minute read
    View Post
  • Systematic review vs meta-analysis

    Systematic Review VS Meta-Analysis

    • 4 minute read
    View Post
More Posts
  • How to Present an Abstract for a Paper Presentation
    How to Present an Abstract for a Paper Presentation
    • 5 minute read
  • The difference between abstract and conclusion
    The difference between abstract and conclusion
    • 5 minute read
  • FINER: a research framework
    FINER: a Research Framework
    • 5 minute read
  • What is the main purpose of proofreading a paper?
    What is the main purpose of proofreading a paper?
    • 4 minute read
  • Types of Scientific Articles
    • 5 minute read
  • The importance of literature review in research writing
    The importance of Literature Review in Research Writing
    • 4 minute read
Price Calculator (Language Editing Standard):
Wordcount:
Final Price:
$115
Follow this link if your manuscript is longer than 12,000 words.
Within 4 business days
Upload
Learn more about
  • Manuscript Preparation
  • Manuscript Review
  • Publication Process
  • Publication Recognition
  • Research Process
Elsevier Author Services – Articles
  • Language Editing Services
  • Translation Services
  • Illustration Services
  • Author’s Webshop
Elsevier wordmark
Terms & Conditions

Cookies are used by this site. To decline or learn more, visit our Cookies page.

RELX Wordmark

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

Cookies are used by this site. To learn more, visit our cookies page accept.
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.