Substantive Editing Services at Affordable Academic Editing Rates

What is substantive editing?

A paper may include all the right parts such as complete data, logical conclusions, and a detailed discussion on the topic. It may even include a unique angle or a profound discovery. But if the information is presented in an illogical order, makes the reader work too hard to connect key points, is lacking concrete examples, or doesn’t pull the reader in at the start, then all is lost.
This is where a substantive editor comes in. What is substantive editing exactly? To define substantive editing in simple terms, it is a comprehensive analysis of a work as a whole. Then, suggestions are made using substantive writing techniques to help ensure the paper and all the key points are made completely and in a logical order.

A substantive editing checklist includes:

Analysis of the document as a whole

Analysis of each paragraph, sentence, and even word choice if required

Suggestions for needed revisions

Suggestions for reordering information by paragraph or section

Recommendations for removing information or content that is irrelevant or out of place

Why would I need a substantive editing service for document analysis?

If you feel the order and structure of your paper is sound, then you may not require a substantive edit. But if the topic is something you have not written about before, then perhaps use of substantive editing services is the best first step in ensuring your paper starts out in the right direction.
To define substantive editing needs another way, ask, “Is there is a better way to structure my paper?” If even a part of you thinks the answer is “yes”, then you are likely in need of a substantive editing service to some extent.
Before your paper is ready for proofreading or copy editing, the substantive editor can provide valuable insight to ensure every word, sentence, and example are relevant and useful. Do you have the basics but feel your paper needs development in areas you can’t quite pinpoint? Maybe it needs stronger transitions or an introduction that propels the reader to want more.
A substantive editor will look over your paper from a broad to narrow scope with fresh eyes. They will offer valuable substantive writing suggestions that will strengthen every part of your paper from start to finish. Even the smallest recommendation can bring a new perspective or shed light on what’s missing to make your paper or book stand out from the rest.
What a substantive edit does NOT include
A substantive edit is ideally completed at the start of the writing process. It doesn’t include line edits or detailed copy editing services. Having the basic order and structure in place—with all the necessary examples, conclusions, and discussion points in final form is the first step. Only then will the paper be ready for further services such as an English Language Check or Copy Editing Services.
Academic editing rates
Depending on your requirement, substantive editing for an academic research paper or a book, the length and breadth of the edit will vary. For academic editing rates on research papers, see our pricing. If you have written or are writing a book, please go through our book editing services in detail.

Editage’s Substantive Editing Services and its key features

Looking for a better way to structure your manuscript? Need help crafting more effective transitions? Want to improve the overall flow of your paper and get high-quality editing and formatting? Editage’s Substantive Editing Services give you access to experienced English editors who help organize and optimize your manuscript’s content according to international journals standards.

  • A team of 3,000+ experienced substantive editors that focus on delivering an impeccably formatted manuscript, with proper sentence construction and grammar and in-depth checks for missing structural elements or incomplete sections.
  • Expertise across 1,600+ subject areas to match your manuscript with the most suitable experts in your field and ensure a clearly defined narrative and accurate use of technical terminology.
  • A comprehensive 2-level editor review system that gets your paper checked by two leading experts in your subject area for excellent quality substantive editing. You can also benefit from free re-editing over a 12-month period with our Premium editing and Scientific editing plans.
  • High standards of data security to ensure the confidentiality of manuscripts. Our editors honor a strict NDA and our systems are ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certified so any files you submit for editing are 100% safe and secure.
  • Additional services like a plagiarism check to eliminate any chance of accidental duplication in your paper when referring to previously published research articles.
  • Quality and delivery guaranteed with strict adherence to deadlines without compromising on quality

Why should you opt for substantive editing

Editage’s Substantive Editing Services are perfect not only for early career researchers but also experienced academics who may be looking for feedback on their initial research draft. Before your paper is ready for proofreading or copy editing, our substantive editor can provide valuable insights into the content of your paper and ensure every word, sentence, and example are relevant and useful. Substantive editing involves evaluating the overall structure, content and flow of a manuscript. It provides valuable content-level suggestions to strengthen every part of your paper from start to finish. On choosing the Substantive Editing Services, our expert subject matter editors will help organize the content of your manuscript and offer invaluable feedback to ensure an impactful, accurate, and well-presented document.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • 01

    How much do the Substantive Editing Services cost?

  • 02

    How long does it take to complete a substantive editing project?

  • 03

    What if I don’t like the final draft of my manuscript that has undergone substantive editing?

  • 04

    Do you provide the substantive editing service during weekends and holidays?

  • 05

    Do you provide a certificate of editing?

  • 06

    Do you provide substantive editing support after document delivery?

  • 07

    How does the substantive editing process work?

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