From my experience of proofreading more than 200 academic theses and dissertations over two decades, I’ve found that everyone – whether you’re a native English speaker or international student – benefits from having another pair of eyes look over their work. When it comes to thesis and dissertation proofreading, the consequences of errors going unchecked can be severe.

Hire a published academic to proofread your thesis or dissertation

As a published academic myself, my research on Shakespeare, specifically the authorship debates surrounding the early history plays, has appeared in leading international journals. My PhD thesis was published as When Harey Met Shakespeare: The Genesis of The First Part of Henry the Sixth (VDM Verlag, 2008).

What Doctor Edit’s thesis and dissertation proofreading services include

1. Correct spelling, grammar and punctuation

Typos
Misspellings
Incorrect verb tense
Subject-verb agreement
Sentence fragments
Run-on sentences
Comma splices
Apostrophe misuse
Correct punctuation in citations and references

2. Check for consistency

Terminology consistency (e.g., ‘e-mail’ vs ‘email’)
Formatting consistency (e.g., bold, italics, headings)
Capitalisation rules (proper nouns, terms like ‘Chapter 4’)
Hyphenation (long-term vs long term)
NZ/UK vs U.S. English consistency
Number usage (e.g., 10 vs ten)

3. Ensure accuracy of citations and referencing

Ensuring citation style is consistent (APA, Chicago Manual of Style, etc.)
Correct order of References list
Punctuation within citations
Italics for titles where appropriate
In-text citations match References list entries
Page numbers included for quotes

Note: I won’t fact-check references but will flag obvious inconsistencies.

4. Improve clarity and readability (light touch)

Awkward phrasing
Word repetition
Overly long sentences
Misused words (e.g., affect vs effect)
Missing or extra words
Clunky transitions within paragraphs
Misplaced modifiers

Note: This is not rewriting – it’s rather about smoothing rough edges without changing your voice or meaning.

5. Review formatting

Table of contents accuracy
Figure and table numbering
Heading hierarchy
Page numbering
Line spacing
Margin consistency
Widows and orphans (stray lines at
top/bottom of pages)
Placement of tables and figures

6. Check academic style (light touch)

Avoiding contractions (e.g., can’t → cannot)
Formal tone
Correct use of abbreviations/acronyms
Latin phrases (e.g., et al., ibid.) formatted correctly
Consistency in tense (past/present)

How do you know when your thesis or dissertation is ready for proofreading?

You’ll know your thesis or dissertation has reached the proofreading stage when the following are true:

1. Structural edits are done

Your argument flows logically from start to finish.
Sections and chapters are in the right order.
You’re not moving big chunks of content around anymore.

2. Content edits are done

All evidence, citations, figures and tables are in place.
You’ve fully answered your research question(s).
There are no gaps, and no ‘I’ll add this later’ notes remain.
There are no missing references or placeholders like ‘[citation needed]’.

3. Stylistic edits are done

You’ve worked carefully on clarity, tone, and academic voice.
Sentences are as concise and clear as you can make them.
You’re not rephrasing whole paragraphs anymore – just tweaking.

4. Feedback is incorporated

Supervisor/committee feedback is fully addressed.
You’ve resolved any flagged issues or comments.
There are no ‘waiting for feedback’ parts left.

5. Formatting is mostly complete

Referencing style is consistent (APA, Chicago Manual of Style, etc.).
Headings, subheadings, figures and tables follow style guidelines.
Page numbers, margins and fonts are correct.

6. You’re getting some or all of the following gut feelings:

You’re sick of reading it and are not changing much.
Feedback now says things like ‘Looks good!’ or ‘I’ve made minor edits only.’
You find yourself fixing commas instead of content.
The document feels stable – nothing’s moving anymore.

After you’ve ticked off as many of the above as possible, you can be confident that you’ve reached the proofreading stage of your academic journey!

What supervisors do, only supervisors can do

Always remember that your supervisors are required to provide you with guidance on content and structure, research design, and academic language throughout your thesis or dissertation journey. Therefore, you should never feel awkward about asking them for help in these areas, which go beyond the remit of my thesis and dissetation proofreading services.

How to get the most out of your thesis or dissertation supervisors

The Golden Rule: Don’t just hope for good supervision – actively manage the relationship.

1. Be clear about what you need

Supervisors aren’t mind-readers. Tell them exactly what kind of feedback or help you want:

Big picture? (structure/argument/logic)
Specific chapter feedback?
Line edits or just general thoughts?
Are you stuck or just checking in?

Example email line: ‘Could you let me know if the argument in Chapter 3 flows logically? I’m not looking for line edits yet – just structural feedback.’

2. Always send agendas for meetings

If you show respect for your supervisors’ time, you’ll get more useful input. Here’s an example agenda for a one-hour meeting:

Quick update on progress
Issues I’m struggling with
Specific questions for you
Next steps/deadlines

Send your agenda 1–2 days in advance. Bring it printed or on-screen to the meeting – and stick to it.

3. Ask for feedback on drafts, not ideas in your head

Supervisors respond best to something concrete. Even messy drafts give them something to work with.

If you’re brainstorming → bring bullet points or diagrams.

If you’re lost → bring your outline and say: ‘Here’s what I have – what’s missing?’

4. Be open, but not defensive

When feedback is harsh:

Take notes quietly.
Ask clarifying questions.
Don’t argue in the moment.
Reflect afterwards.
Decide what to take on board.

Always remember that the goal isn’t praise; it’s growth. Professional writers use the following motto: Feedback is data, not identity.

5. Keep a running list of supervisor advice

From the beginning of your postgraduate studies, keep a document or notebook in which to write down the following about your supervisors:

Their repeated phrases
Their pet peeves
Style or formatting preferences
Their feedback patterns

By doing this, you’ll start to ‘pre-correct’ for their style over time.

6. Follow through (reliability = trust)

Whatever they suggest:

Try it out
Report back
Show progress

Supervisors love students who act on advice – even if it doesn’t always work.

7. Manage expectations around response time

Remember that supervisors are busy people. The typical response timelines for drafts are:

Short document = 1–2 weeks
Chapter = 2–4 weeks
Full thesis = 4–6 weeks (sometimes longer)

Always ask: ‘Would it be reasonable to expect feedback by [date]?’

8. Clarify roles if you have multiple supervisors

Try to avoid mixed messages, and ask them to clarify:

Who reads what?
Who gives feedback first?
Should you copy both in on emails?
Are meetings joint or separate?

9. Be proactive with communication

Don’t disappear and don’t ghost:

Update them even when things are slow.
Ask for meetings when needed.
Let them know about life stuff (sickness,
burnout, family stuff) early.

Supervisors worry most when students go silent.

10. Be kind – they’re human too!

Academics are often stretched thin and under pressure.

Be respectful, professional and patient. And always say thank you.

One final pro-tip

Be sure to document everything, from the very beginning of your postgraduate studies right up until your thesis or dissertation needs proofreading. Keep an email trail or notes of:

What was agreed in meetings
Deadlines set
Feedback given
Resources promised

By doing this, you will be able to produce supporting evidence if needed and improve the overall quality of your thesis or dissertation.

Thesis and dissertation proofreading services tailored to your needs

In addition to ensuring your thesis conforms to the style guide prescribed in your tertiary institution’s guidelines (an example can be found here), I’ll also draw up a detailed style sheet to make your document as internally consistent as possible. The style sheet will include things like preferred spellings; punctuation; hyphenation; how numbers are treated; and how, if at all, abbreviations are used.

When I return the finished job, I’ll include the style sheet so you can clearly see the proofreading decisions I have made. This means you’ll have a comprehensive editorial resource to refer to when making your subsequent revisions.

I charge on a case-by-case basis and tailor my fees to your individual requirements. My quote – your Doctor Edit prescription – is always free and carries no obligation.