By Writing a dissertation is one of the difficult and time-consuming tasks for every doctoral student.
And just what Pritchard (2008) said is that writing an academic paper is a complex and dynamic process. In addition, it incorporates the specific details and principles of a certain program of the discipline.
So, it makes it very clear that doctoral students have to put their heart and soul into writing their dissertation. Also, this task is the GRAND FINALE of their degree program.
When I had to write my nursing dissertation, I remember how silly mistakes I made. For example, labeling my variables wrong or not paying attention to the typographical errors. And yes, these mistakes cost me my A+ grade. What did I learn from it? That editing is just as important as writing!
So, would you take any potential risk while working on this task? I guess, no.
Break Before Editing:
Okay, so since you are here reading this guide on dissertation editing, you must have already completed writing it.
If my assumption is right and you have just finished writing the content, hear me out:
- Give yourself a few days or at least 24 hours completely away from the document.
- Work on something entirely different than writing or editing.
You must be wondering why. Well, to edit the content, it’s important to start with a fresh look. And for that, a break is needed.
Structure Of A Dissertation:
The average count of a dissertation? Anything between 30,000 words to 80,000 words. The structure? Here’s what your document must have:
- Title page
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Literature review
- Methodology
- Results
- Discussion
- Conclusion
- References
- Bibliography
- List of figures and tables
Got them all? Perfect! You’re now all set to step into the editing process.
How To Edit A Dissertation? Some Tips, Please!
And here you are on the editing step of your dissertation. So first of all, take a moment and appreciate yourself for coming this far!
Now, coming back to the editing part, you must know some tips for it. So, read this section carefully.
Where to start? What mistakes should to look for while editing your dissertation? Here’s a brief:
- Grammar and punctuation: subject-verb agreement, pronoun-antecedent agreement, tense consistency, comma usage, homophones, run-on sentences.
- Spelling and typos: words with double letters, basic typos, missing or extra spaces, letter switcheroos.
- Style and consistency: word choice, tone inconsistency, formatting, brand voice.
- Clarity and conciseness: avoid vague language, avoid jargon, be concise, ensure readability.
- Accuracy and verification: facts, sources, context, clarity of the content.
Stay Focused–Stay Motivated:
Okay, the first and most important tip is to stay focused and motivated. Obviously, it’s not child’s play to read and edit thousands of words of a nursing dissertation.
So, eliminate distractions and have a good 8-hour sleep. In addition, always start working on your task when you are focused and fresh.
Important point:
Do you find it hard to stay focused? If so, don’t pressure yourself and ask professional writers to write my nursing assignment for me. They make sure to create quality content and incorporate medical terminologies and context in the content.
Read Aloud:
You must have tried editing content silently in your academic years. Now, try reading aloud. You will thank me later for this advice.
Moreover, it gets easier for a reader to catch the errors. In addition to that, you will see the awkward phrasing, the areas that wouldn’t make any sense, and grammatical errors.
Edit In Stages:
We just ticked the list of sections of a dissertation, right? How many were they? 11!
So, it’s not suggested to work on all of them in one sitting. Instead, you must divide the editing process and work on each section at a time.
Pro Tip:
Do you know what the most important section is among all? Yes, the literature review and results. Therefore, there’s little room to make any mistakes in these crucial sections. So, if you are not sure about your editing skills and don’t want to take any risk, it’s best to connect with Dissertation Editing Services Dubai and get professional assistance.
Look For One Mistake At A Time:
Even a pro writer makes mistakes. And they have to review their content to identify the errors. But the tip is to always look for one error at a time.
For example, if you aim to fix spelling errors, then only focus on them at a time. This will not only ensure perfect editing but also help you stay focused.
Use Editing Tools & Software:
Manual editing is the best. However, after all, we are humans and we make mistakes. So, just to be sure that everything is up to the mark, it’s best to run your document through online tools or software.
Here’s a list of a few amazing and helpful tools:
- Grammarly
- ProWriting Aid
- Slick Write
- Ginger software
- Hemingway Editor
Types Of Editing:
Editing is further divided into some types as well. These are:
- Developmental editing: In this type of editing, the focus is to ensure that the content is sound and logical. In addition, it also involves expanding or narrowing the scope, rearranging the points, and cross-checking the evidence.
- Line editing: This type of editing focuses on fixing sentences and creating logical flow in the content. Also, it aims to ensure clarity by suggesting strong verbs and simplifying the content.
- Copyediting: It involves checking the accuracy, consistency, formatting, and grammar of the content.
Final Words:
So, there you have it! Writing your dissertation is a huge achievement, but don’t think the work stops there. Just like catching those silly mistakes I made, careful editing is super important. Taking a break and then looking at your work with fresh eyes can make a world of difference. By focusing on one type of error at a time and even using helpful tools, you’ll polish your hard work and make sure your grand finale shines!
