Editing & Proofreading Services
Editing & Proofreading Services in South Africa
Professional editing and proofreading for academic, research, business, professional, personal and digital content. Improve grammar, clarity, consistency and presentation while preserving your intended meaning and voice.
Need advice first? Office: 011 793 6677 | Mobile / WhatsApp: 083 301 6409
What can we edit or proofread?
- Theses, dissertations & research
- Reports, proposals & business documents
- CVs, applications & professional profiles
- Websites, articles & digital content
- Translated English documents
Need help first?
Office:
011 793 6677
| Mobile:
083 301 6409
Make Your Writing Clearer, More Accurate & More Professional
A document can contain strong ideas and useful information while still being weakened by grammar problems, unclear wording, inconsistent terminology or avoidable typographical errors.
Our editing and proofreading services help improve written English while preserving the author's intended meaning and appropriate professional voice.
Editing vs Proofreading: What Is the Difference?
The right service depends on the quality of the current document and how much language revision it requires.
Proofreading
Proofreading is generally the final quality-control stage for a document that is already well written.
It focuses on identifying and correcting errors such as:
- Spelling
- Grammar
- Punctuation
- Capitalisation
- Typographical errors
- Spacing inconsistencies
- Basic formatting inconsistencies
Editing
Editing goes beyond error correction and addresses the overall quality and readability of the language.
Depending on the agreed scope, editing can improve:
- Sentence structure
- Clarity
- Word choice
- Awkward phrasing
- Repetition
- Consistency
- Readability & flow
What We Check When Editing Your Document
The exact review depends on whether you request proofreading or more detailed language editing.
Grammar & Syntax
Sentence construction, agreement, verb forms, articles, prepositions and other grammatical issues.
Spelling & Punctuation
Spelling, commas, apostrophes, capitalisation, quotation marks and other punctuation issues.
Clarity & Readability
Awkward, unclear or unnecessarily complicated wording can be improved while retaining the intended meaning.
Consistency
Terminology, headings, capitalisation, dates, numbers and recurring language patterns can be checked for consistency.
Word Choice
Incorrect, unnatural or inappropriate wording can be corrected according to the document's intended audience and purpose.
Professional Presentation
The document can be reviewed for obvious language and presentation inconsistencies before submission, distribution or publication.
Editing & Proofreading for Academic, Business & Professional Documents
We work with a wide variety of written material for individuals, researchers, professionals and organisations.
Academic & Research
- Dissertations
- Theses
- Research reports
- Journal articles
- Research proposals
- Literature reviews
- Conference papers
Business & Corporate
- Business reports
- Proposals
- Tender documents
- Company profiles
- Policies & procedures
- Corporate correspondence
- Presentations
Professional Documents
- CVs & résumés
- Cover letters
- Professional profiles
- Motivation letters
- Formal correspondence
- Reports
- Applications
Website & Digital Content
- Website pages
- Landing pages
- Blog articles
- Service descriptions
- Online profiles
- Email content
- Digital brochures
Educational Material
- Training material
- Course content
- Educational reports
- Study material
- Presentations
- Professional manuals
English-Language Review
- Translated English content
- Professional correspondence
- Reports
- Business documents
- Academic documents
- International submissions
Academic Editing & Proofreading
Academic writing requires clear language, consistent terminology and careful presentation while preserving the researcher's own work and academic contribution.
What Academic Editing Can Address
- Grammar & punctuation
- Sentence clarity
- Awkward wording
- Repetition
- Inconsistent terminology
- Tense consistency
- Articles & prepositions
- Subject-verb agreement
- Capitalisation
- Typographical errors
Your Academic Content Remains Your Own
Our role is to improve language, clarity and presentation rather than replace the author's academic contribution.
The author remains responsible for the research, arguments, interpretation, findings, references and compliance with the rules of the relevant institution or publisher.
Editing does not guarantee acceptance, publication, examination outcomes or academic results.
Academic integrity remains important
Where a university, journal, professional body or other institution has specific rules governing third-party editing, the author should ensure that the requested editing service complies with those rules.
Editing for Writers Whose First Language Is Not English
A writer can understand a subject extremely well while still finding it difficult to express complex ideas naturally in English.
Sentence Structure
Long, awkward or unnatural sentence constructions can be revised for clearer English.
Word Choice
Unnatural or incorrect word choices can be replaced with wording that better reflects the intended meaning.
Grammar
Articles, prepositions, verb tense, agreement and other recurring English-language issues can be corrected.
Flow & Readability
Sentences and paragraphs can be improved so that the document reads more naturally.
Appropriate Tone
Language can be adjusted to better suit academic, business, professional or formal communication.
Preserving Your Voice
The goal is clearer English without unnecessarily changing the writer's intended meaning or individual voice.
What Level of Editing Does Your Document Need?
Documents differ substantially in quality. We assess the material before quotation so that the appropriate level of work can be recommended.
Proofreading
Best for documents that are already clearly and professionally written but need a final language check.
- Spelling
- Grammar
- Punctuation
- Typographical errors
- Basic consistency
Language Editing
Suitable when the document requires noticeable improvement beyond simple proofreading.
- Proofreading corrections
- Sentence structure
- Word choice
- Clarity
- Awkward phrasing
- Readability
Detailed Language Editing
Suitable for documents requiring more extensive linguistic attention.
- Reworking difficult sentences
- Improving flow
- Recurring language issues
- Greater consistency
- Flagging unclear passages
Microsoft Word Track Changes
Where appropriate, editing can be completed using Microsoft Word Track Changes so that you can see the amendments made to your document.
You can review individual changes and choose whether to accept or reject them.
Available Delivery Options
A document showing tracked amendments where requested.
A clean copy incorporating the agreed language corrections.
Comments may be added where wording is unclear or requires the author's attention.
Proofreading & Editing of Translated English Content
Translated content may need additional English-language review when it will be published, distributed professionally or used for business communication.
English Proofreading
Review the English text for grammar, spelling, punctuation and obvious language errors.
English Language Editing
Improve natural wording, sentence structure, consistency and readability in the English document.
Bilingual Translation Review
If you need the translation checked against the original source document, send both versions so that a bilingual review can be assessed separately.
Have a Document Ready for Review?
Send us the complete document and tell us what it is, how it will be used and your deadline. If you are unsure whether you need proofreading or editing, we can assess the document first.
How Our Editing & Proofreading Service Works
We assess the document before confirming the appropriate editing level, scope and quotation.
Send Your Document
Upload or email the complete document you would like us to review.
Tell Us Its Purpose
Tell us whether it is academic, business, professional, website or other content and provide your deadline.
Assessment & Quote
We assess whether proofreading, language editing or more detailed editing is appropriate and confirm the quotation.
Editing & Delivery
The agreed review is completed and the edited document is returned electronically in the agreed format.
Pricing Is Based on the Document & Level of Editing
Two documents with the same word count can require very different amounts of editing. For this reason, we recommend sending the complete document for assessment before quotation.
We will confirm the scope, price and expected completion date before work begins.
What Can Affect the Price?
Professional Language Review Before You Submit or Publish
Our editing and proofreading service helps individuals and organisations present written content clearly, accurately and professionally.
Translation, Document & Transcription Services
If your document or project requires more than English-language editing, these SLS services may also be relevant.
Document Translation
Professional translation of personal, academic, legal, financial, immigration and business documents.
Certified Translation
Certified and sworn translation options for documents requiring formal submission.
Transcription Services
Professional transcription for interviews, research, meetings and multilingual recordings.
Editing & Proofreading FAQs
What is the difference between editing and proofreading?
Proofreading focuses mainly on correcting errors in a document that is already well written. Editing is more detailed and can improve sentence structure, clarity, word choice, consistency, flow and readability in addition to correcting errors.
Do you proofread dissertations and theses?
Yes. We provide language editing and proofreading for dissertations, theses and other academic documents. The author remains responsible for the academic content, research, findings and compliance with institutional requirements.
Can you edit a journal article before submission?
Yes. Journal articles and research papers can be edited for grammar, clarity, consistency and readability. Editing does not guarantee publication or acceptance by a journal.
Do you use Microsoft Word Track Changes?
Yes, where appropriate. Track Changes allows the author to review amendments and accept or reject individual changes. Tell us your preferred delivery format when requesting the quotation.
Can you proofread a CV or cover letter?
Yes. CVs, résumés, cover letters, motivation letters, professional profiles and other application documents can be reviewed for language, clarity and professional presentation.
Can you edit business documents?
Yes. We edit and proofread reports, proposals, company profiles, policies, procedures, correspondence, presentations, tender documents and other business material.
Can you proofread website content?
Yes. Website pages, landing pages, service descriptions, blog articles, digital brochures and other online content can be edited and proofread.
Do you rewrite documents?
Language editing can include rephrasing awkward or unclear sentences while preserving the intended meaning. Substantial rewriting, content development or restructuring beyond the agreed editing scope should be identified separately when requesting a quotation.
Can you edit English written by someone whose first language is not English?
Yes. Language editing can improve grammar, sentence structure, articles, prepositions, word choice, readability and natural English expression while preserving the writer's intended meaning.
Can you check an English translation?
Yes, but ordinary English proofreading and bilingual translation review are different services. If the translation must be checked against the original source document, send both documents so that the required bilingual review can be assessed.
Can you check grammar and punctuation only?
Yes. If your document is already well written and requires only a final grammar, spelling and punctuation check, proofreading may be the appropriate service.
Will you change my writing style?
The aim is to improve clarity and correctness without unnecessarily changing the author's intended meaning or voice. The amount of language intervention depends on the editing level agreed before the work begins.
How long does editing and proofreading take?
Turnaround depends on the word count, quality of the original writing, level of editing required, complexity and deadline. The expected completion date is confirmed with the quotation.
How much does editing and proofreading cost?
Pricing depends on document length and the amount of work required. Send the complete document so that the editing level can be assessed and an accurate quotation provided.
Are my documents handled confidentially?
Yes. Client documents and project information are handled confidentially throughout the quotation, editing and delivery process.
Request an Editing & Proofreading Quote
Send us your document and tell us what type of document it is, how it will be used and your deadline. If you are unsure whether you need proofreading or more detailed editing, we can assess the material and recommend the appropriate service.
Call us:
Office
+27 11 793 6677
|
Mobile / WhatsApp
+27 83 301 6409
Email:
sales@sls.org.za