Working With a Dissertation Editor
Over the years, many of my clients have hired editors to help them refine their writing. For some students, simply knowing that their dissertation will be professionally edited at a later stage makes the daily task of writing feel more manageable—and often helps them be more productive. It can take pressure off students who know they do not need to obsess over every sentence or worry whether grammar, sentence structure, and formatting are perfect in early drafts.
It can also be reassuring to know that someone else will read your dissertation to determine whether it flows well and makes sense overall. Working with an editor can be especially helpful for students who are nonnative English speakers and may have particular concerns about their ability to express themselves clearly and accurately.
An editor cannot write your dissertation for you, but they can help improve its readability and strengthen your confidence in the final product. As always, be sure to check with your university to ensure that using an editor is permitted under its guidelines.
Types of Dissertation Editors
There are different types of editors who work with doctoral dissertations. Some editors focus on the mechanics of writing, such as spelling, grammar, sentence structure, phrasing, transitions, flow, and readability for the intended academic audience. Others focus more narrowly on spelling, grammar, and formatting consistency.
Some editors also provide developmental feedback related to the overall organization of the dissertation. These editors may point out areas of writing that are difficult to understand, require additional background information or development, or appear disorganized. They may also identify places where an argument seems weak or inconsistent.
In my opinion, good editors may do some or all of the above—but they do not offer ghostwriting services to graduate students. Doctoral students are responsible for authoring their own work. Having someone else write your dissertation is unethical and violates your academic responsibility.
Learning From an Editor
You can learn a great deal about writing by working with an editor. Look for an editor who is willing to explain grammar rules and the reasoning behind their suggested changes. In this way, the editing process can help you improve your writing skills rather than simply correct a single document.
When hiring an editor, seek someone who:
Has experience editing dissertations or academic writing in your field
Is knowledgeable about your university’s required formatting style (e.g., APA or Chicago)
Is willing to provide references
I highly recommend checking references and speaking with several editors before deciding who is the best fit for your needs.
Editors typically charge by the hour, by the page, or by the project. It is reasonable to expect an estimate of the total cost. You may also want to ask the editor to review a few pages so you can evaluate the quality of their work before committing.
Formatting Considerations
Many students spend long hours trying to make their dissertation conform to university formatting guidelines. If you plan to work with an editor, it is generally best to focus your own efforts on content rather than formatting, as formatting work is often duplicated by the editor.
An experienced editor can efficiently set up comprehensive formatting, including pagination and automatically generated tables of contents and figures. Editors can also format citations and reference lists for consistency and adherence to style guidelines.
Alternatives to Hiring an Editor
If paying for a dissertation editor is not within your budget, consider trading editing support with another student. Regardless of who edits your dissertation, remember that you are ultimately responsible for the content, accuracy, and quality of your work.
Once you receive an edited version of your dissertation, review it carefully for errors, inaccuracies, or edits that may have changed the meaning of your sentences.
Additional Support
If you decide that professional editing or formatting support would be helpful, you can learn more about the editing and formatting services offered by The Dissertation Coach, including what is included, typical timelines, and how to request an estimate.
This article was written by Alison Miller, PhD, founder of The Dissertation Coach, a business dedicated to helping doctoral and master’s students successfully earn their graduate degrees.