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FAQ

Here is the list of the most frequently asked questions. If you can’t find the answer contact us here.

WHY USE A PROOFREADER / COPYEDITOR?

Businesses may benefit by:

  • Ensuring content and company messages are well-written and crafted to come across in a clear, compelling and appropriate way; and language and imagery for marketing materials are in alignment with the company style guide.
  • Making a professional impression by ensuring all forms of communication with customers and stakeholders are error-free regarding spelling, vocabulary, punctuation, grammar, and English usage.
  • Increasing business profile with a reputation for consistency and accuracy in annual reports, technical manuals, organisational documents and marketing communications.

Students may benefit by:

  • Impressing teachers and lecturers by having an early check done for avoidable errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar before submitting work for marking
  • Improving chances of success with an objective review of technical writing skills covering vocabulary, sentence construction and paragraph structure

Educators may benefit by:

  • Maintaining high standards with teaching and learning resources free of spelling and typographical errors.
  • Facilitation of student learning through the clear use of language, terminology, and concepts; the consistent layout of content; and functionality of learning materials with digital content.
  • Enhanced professional reputation by the production of high-quality documents and publications.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PROOFREADING AND COPYEDITING?

In brief, proofreading is mainly concerned with accuracy and correcting errors; editing focuses on both accuracy and improvements to writing.

Although each field has some clear responsibilities, both proofreading and editorial tasks are most often on a continuum and can often overlap in practice.

However, clients may find it useful to be aware of some fundamental differences when selecting Markitup services.

Standard proofreading – ensures error-free spelling, punctuation, grammar, and consistent document formatting.

NB: Generally, this type of review does not include making any significant changes to wording or content.

Copyediting – includes all the standard proofreading tasks, plus, as required, adjustments to vocabulary and how text is organised to improve writing or the clarity of expression.

NB: Any suggestions for changes or further rewriting are only made after careful consultation with a client to clarify their needs and requirements.

WHAT TYPES OF THINGS CAN BE COVERED BY PROOFREADING?
  • Spelling
  • Capitalisation
  • Grammar
  • Punctuation
  • Preferences and links
  • Consistency of formatting – fonts, word spacing, headings, footers, titles, lists and tables, diagrams, illustrations, captions, page numbers
  • Content flow – text makes sense, no missing or misplaced copy
  • Web pages – ensure all navigation links function properly
WHAT TYPES OF THINGS CAN BE COVERED BY COPYEDITING?

All tasks covered in the Proofreading list above

Plus,

  • Language and style of writing is appropriate for the target audience
  • Paragraphs have a logical sequence and flow of ideas
  • Sentences are grammatically correct and vary in structure
  • Wording, concepts and terms are explained adequately
  • Lists have a parallel structure
WHAT TYPES OF DOCUMENTS CAN I HAVE PROOFREAD OR EDITED?
  • Applications and submissions for the development or approval of programmes and qualifications (NZQA) – related to the Targeted Review of Qualifications, TroQ – Levels 1-6 on New Zealand’s ten-level framework
  • Curriculum documents
  • Learning resources
  • Teaching plans
  • Essays, Dissertations, Theses
  • Proposals
  • Reports
  • Newsletters
  • Prospectuses
  • Websites
  • Manuals
  • Presentations
  • Blogs
  • Marketing & signage
  • Other
WHY SHOULD I USE MARKITUP SERVICES?

By choosing Markitup you will receive a professional and thorough approach to your job based on your individual requirements. As well as being well-qualified academically, with a Bachelor of Education; Master of Arts – Education with first class honours (UoA); and a Diploma in Proofreading and Editing at the New Zealand Institute of Business (NZIBS) – with Excellence, I also have over twenty years experience as a secondary school teacher and senior manager in several tertiary organisations. This has provided me with extensive experience and capabilities in producing and publishing commercial education resources in a range of written and electronic formats; completing research, preparing curriculum documents, NZQA submissions and applications; writing or perfecting other’s writing in business proposals, annual reports, prospectuses and newsletters.

HOW DO I PLACE AN ORDER?

Once a client has had the opportunity to review a quotation, confirmation of an order can simply be made via telephone or email.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

Charges for services may vary according to the nature of the job and are based on the complexity of, or specialised knowledge required for completion of the job, and the timeframe in which it needs to be finished. We are more than happy to discuss client’s work and budget requirements over the telephone and prepare quotes at any time.

WHAT PROCESS IS FOLLOWED?

After an initial enquiry is made, our aim is to clarify each client’s requirements to ensure they receive the level of support they need. After consultation with the client, a quotation is prepared with an outline of the work to be completed for their approval.

The costs are established depending on whether the client would prefer to pay by the hour, by the project or by the page.

Samples of a client’s documents may be required from clients to establish all the required detail in a quotation.

Work will commence on a client’s job once a confirmation of their agreement to the quotation is received.

Every endeavour will be made to meet the timeframe provided in the quotation signed by the client. If we am not able to provide the client services by the agreed deadline, we shall notify the client by e-mail of the likely provision date.

Our services will be delivered by email or by post in agreement with the client.

WHAT IS THE BEST FORMAT FOR ME TO PROVIDE WORK IN?

This depends on the policy and work-flow preferences of the individual or organisation commissioning the editing job. Working with the most common word processing file types such as Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat (PDFs) helps produce the most professional and polished statement or document. Clients may supply a full version of their work files electronically or in hard copy for review.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS USED FOR REPORTING CORRECTIONS TO CLIENTS?

Depending on the client’s preferences, review feedback can either be supplied on paper; on paper and onscreen; or onscreen only. The most common digital formats are in Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat (PDF) files. Both have built-in editing tools which generate correction reports.

Where a client prefers a separate list of corrections, these may be provided in a separate electronic Word file.

Where a client prefers changes to be made directly into a Microsoft Word document, the Track Changes function will be used to mark changes and add numerous queries and comments. Different concluding report formats can be customised using the Final Showing Markup preferences.

Likewise, PDFS have a similar range of editing tools that can be used to make direct changes to an electronic version of a PDF file. It is also possible to choose from a range of final comment summary formats.

Where a client requests editing of a Powerpoint file, there are two preferred methods of indicating edits:

  • to print out the slides in hard copy and mark changes on pages using standard editing/proofreading marks, to be faxed or scanned to the client, or
  • to produce an electronic list of changes and queries, which can then be emailed to the client.

Where Web pages are being reviewed, suggested editorial changes may be reported on using one of the following methods:

  • on a hard-copy printout of the page
  • on a separate electronic reporting form
  • in an electronic file created by screen capture software
WHEN CAN I GET HELP WITH MY CONTENT OR DOCUMENTS?

We can assist you with copy-editing at any time during the progress of your work and to any level, by checking early draft material for spelling and grammatical errors, clarity of expression, tone and organisation.

Assistance can also be provided at later stages to refine or review other areas such as layout and overall consistency of headings, paragraphs, diagrams before publication.

However, it is possible to get just a final proofread for your document if that is all you require.

WHAT CAN I DO IF I’M NOT SATISFIED WITH THE JOB DONE?

Client satisfaction is important to our business. Our aim is to provide the highest level of service to ensure a long-term business relationship. If you are less than delighted by the quality of work, simply return it within 30 days and we will review, re-edit and remove any errors from the original text at no extra cost.

Need More Information? Have a Question?

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