Post-acceptance copyediting for native English-speaking authors

Post-acceptance copyediting often involves extensive English language editing which may make authors feel apprehensive or offended. If you are a native English speaker, you may feel that your language skills are being questioned or undermined. You may also wonder why your manuscript needs copyediting if your paper has (a) already been accepted for publication and (b) undergone pre-acceptance editing and peer reviewing.

The focus of pre-acceptance editing is improvement of the overall readability and clarity of the article, and while some peer reviewers often point out grammatical errors or suggest better ways of writing parts of the text, their primary focus is the scientific content. Often, manuscripts are revised by authors to address peer reviewer comments, so it is likely that some errors may be inadvertently introduced at this stage. Therefore, since post-acceptance copyediting is usually the last stage in the publication cycle, it provides an opportunity to identify and rectify any language-related errors or inconsistencies, ensuring that your paper is publication-ready.

A point worth considering is that grammar goes beyond basic punctuation rules. So, copyediting is important irrespective of whether the author is a native English speaker or not, and the intention is to help you present their ideas in the best possible light.

So then, what really goes into post-acceptance copyediting?

• Checking for consistency and clarity: Your writing style is deeply personal to you, and it's only natural to feel protective of your words. However, copyeditors are already trained to enhance clarity and coherence without altering your voice. They help convey your ideas in a more polished and impactful manner without changing the meaning, impact, or tone of your message.
• Adhering to style guides: Style guides, such as the AMA, MLA, or Chicago Manual of Style, provide guidelines for grammar and preferred word choice in addition to formatting. It's important to follow these guidelines to meet the standards of academic language.

In conclusion, embracing copyediting in academic writing is essential for enhancing the quality and effectiveness of your work. Copyeditors work alongside you to refine your manuscript without compromising your unique voice. They help bring your academic endeavors to new heights.

Want to ensure that your manuscript is highly readable, consistent, and free of any typos and grammatical errors? Try Editage’s copyediting service, where a professional academic editor performs a thorough check of the language and style used in your article.