14 Years Of Experience
Exclamation
Translations
Editing
You can focus on writing about your research while I make sure that the message you’re trying to convey gets across in the best possible way – clear, concise and in an academic register.
Editing and proofreading services are provided together.
Proofreading
I refine and polish your writing by taking care of spelling, grammar, punctuation, typos and other surface-level errors.
Reference Control
I make sure that your reference list and in-text referencing is consistent with the chosen style. I then get in touch with you if there are page numbers missing from direct quotes, or references missing that I can’t find myself. I am completely familiar with the APA, Harvard, and Chicago referencing styles, but can apply other styles if a manual is supplied.
This service is optional.
Technical formatting
I make sure that all headings, sub-headings, and table and figure captions are automated and consistent in style. I also check the spacing between paragraphs, headings and paragraphs, and paragraphs and figures/tables. This further includes formatting figures and tables to conform to the preferences of the chosen referencing style.
PS: Technical formatting is free of charge with editing and proofreading.
Some of the institutions where my clients have studied/worked:
About me
Hi, I’m Melissa Labuschagne. I am a native English speaker, although I married into an Afrikaans family (which vastly improved my Afrikaans too). I obtained my bachelor’s degree in languages – majors: English and French – in 2009. I completed my honour’s degree in French translation in 2010, followed by a master’s degree in Assessment and Quality Assurance in 2015.
I also worked in research at the University of Pretoria for four years, giving me unique skills and insights related to carrying out research. After six years, I decided to stop providing French translation and interview transcription services in order to focus solely on clients requiring English language editing.
Postgraduate studies can be difficult, even under the most pleasant of circumstances. I understand the long hours put into the work (often at the expense of time with family), the exhaustion, frustration, and all the emotions that go with having to rewrite and make revisions. It’s because of this that I’m committed to making sure that when a document leaves me, it is ready to go to print. Your dissertation/thesis is safe in my hands.
Articles
I regularly assist both students and lecturers with journal articles. My clients’ articles have been submitted to a wide variety of journals across different fields. Where the author instructions, reference style, and formatting guidelines are provided by the journal online or by the client, I’m also able to ensure that the articles conform to the journal’s style.
Payment process
No deposit is required upfront. However, the full amount owed is due within 3 (three) days of proof of editing having been sent to the client (a pdf showing all my Track Changes across the document). Once I have received proof of payment, I then release the final usable Word document along with an editing certificate.
Please note that time to completion is determined on an individual basis.
Get in touch.
When requesting a quote, please provide the number of pages of your document (excluding front pages and appendices).