Why You Should Hire a Proofreader for PhD Dissertation Formatting

When you write your PhD dissertation, it's essential to adhere to your institution's formatting guidelines and style guide. Formatting can be quite intense work, though—from headings to line spacing, from in-text citations to first-line indents, from block quotations to proper capitalization, it's a lot to keep track of. A proofreader can help you format your PhD dissertation according to your university's requirements, saving you significant time and stress (and also making your manuscript look immaculate).

This blog post aims to convince you why PhD dissertation formatting matters and why you should hire a proofreader to help you with formatting.

Why Does PhD Dissertation Formatting Matter?

Dissertation formatting is about way more than aesthetics. It's also about aligning with your institution's unique guidelines. Every university might require something different, which is why it's essential to follow formatting requirements exactly. Failure to do so could, in some cases, get in the way of passing your PhD dissertation evaluation.

Another important element of dissertation formatting is your citations. Properly citing your sources is essential to avoid plagiarism and give credit where it's due. Equally important, however, is that your citations are presented consistently in accordance with an established citation style. A lack of vigilance in this area is an easy way to receive corrections after submitting your PhD dissertation.

Proper formatting can also improve how evaluators perceive you and your work. When your PhD dissertation is well formatted, you can know that your manuscript looks professional and showcases your attention to detail, with no distractions from your research.

How Can a Proofreader Help With PhD Dissertation Formatting?

Proofreaders are experts in ensuring your PhD dissertation meets specific formatting guidelines. They have a keen eye for consistency: whether it's how your different headings are styled, formatting your page numbers or table of contents, or checking the presentation of your figures and captions.

In addition, proofreaders are well-versed in common citation styles, such as MLA, APA, and Chicago. They review each and every in-text citation, whether parenthetical or footnote, for proper formatting and placement. They also go over your reference list, ensuring it's presented correctly and highlighting instances where source information might be missing.

If you're anxious about your PhD dissertation formatting, or you just want to save yourself a lot of work, then hiring a proofreader is a great option for your peace of mind.

What Formatting Issues Can a Proofreader Help With?

An expert proofreader can help with most formatting issues. You'll want to make sure beforehand that the person you hire is well equipped to meet your formatting needs.

Here's a list of some common formatting issues that a proofreader can help with:

• margins

• font sizes

• line spacing

• page numbers

• heading styles

• table presentation

• hyphenation

• title pages

• hyperlinks

• numbers, equations, and symbols

• figure and table captions

• table of contents

• use of abbreviations

• in-text parenthetical citations

• footnote citations

• reference list line spacing

• reference list entries

Every case is unique. Make sure to talk with your proofreader about which formatting elements you'd like them to focus on while reviewing your PhD dissertation.

Conclusion: Why You Should Hire a Proofreader

As you navigate this critical phase of your PhD submission process, consider the benefits of hiring a proofreader to help with your dissertation formatting. Their expertise and professionalism can grant you peace of mind during this stressful time. A proofreader will ensure that your manuscript showcases your academic prowess by amending formatting errors. Now all you have to do is decide whether these benefits are worthwhile to you, and then find a proofreader. Luckily, you're in the right place!

ARC Proofreading offers expert proofreading for theses and dissertations with transparent pricing. I am dedicated to collaborating to achieve your vision through diligent proofreading and editing. View your options and generate a quote here. If you're ready to move forward, contact me so we can get started!