Writing a dissertation or major academic paper can be an overwhelming task for even the most confident wordsmiths. For writers whose second language is English, the process can be even more daunting — besides content, they must also worry about proper English word usage, syntax and context.
Ironically, even having a native English-speaking friend review the piece may not help, unless that speaker is also familiar with the writer’s first language and can understand how the writer processes words.
A professional editing service may be able to help the English as a Second Language writer. For example, the editors at Scribendi.com have ESL teaching backgrounds, so they know and understand the types of errors a non-native speaker of English may make. They are able to assist ESL writers in producing grammatically correct and idiomatically understandable English prose.
“It’s important to have some- one check your work before you hand it in,” said Chandra Clarke, a director of Scribendi.com. “Especially if you’ve been working on it in the wee hours of the morning, as students often do.”
Even skilled English writers can benefit from having a fresh pair of eyes look over their work. When writers know what the words should say, they often don’t find the errors in their own work.