Academic proofreading & essay editing

Final essay due soon? Know what to fix before you submit.

For complete or nearly complete drafts

For a complete draft whose ideas and structure are already in place. I work through the writing closely, making edits you can review in tracked changes.

• Grammar, spelling, punctuation and sentence clarity
• Academic expression, concision and flow
• Repetition and unnecessary wording
• Consistency between citations and the reference list
• Presentation of headings, tables and captions where relevant

If a passage needs new evidence or analysis, I’ll flag the problem for you to address. For a final edit, see Final Draft Polish.

For developing stronger arguments and structure

For a draft where the bigger questions are still open: what is the central claim, how do the sections connect, and where does the discussion need to go further?

• How directly the draft answers the question and rubric
• The clarity and consistency of the main argument
• Paragraph structure, transitions and use of evidence
• Places where description needs analysis
• Introductions, conclusions and priority revisions

You receive written comments explaining what needs attention and why. Detailed argument feedback is best suited to history, humanities, music and related fields. Compare Stronger Draft Review and Major Assignment Support.

You may know exactly what you want to say and still find academic English difficult to work with. I help EAL and international students make their ideas easier to follow while preserving their meaning and voice.

Editing can cover grammar, sentence structure, word choice and academic expression. Comments explain recurring issues, so you can recognise them in your next draft.

This is the same proofreading and essay-feedback service, adapted to your writing. Tell me your course requirements and the areas you find difficult; we’ll agree on the support you need.

A$149 | Up to 2,000 words

For a complete draft with its argument in place.

• Proofreading and light copyediting
• Grammar, punctuation, clarity and academic expression
• Word count reduction where needed
• Basic referencing consistency checks
• Tracked changes and brief comments on issues for you to address

Choose this if: you need a careful final edit before submission.

A$299 | Up to 3,000 words

For a draft that needs editing and a closer look at the argument.

• Everything in Final Draft Polish
• Review against the question and marking rubric
• Feedback on thesis, structure and paragraph logic
• Comments on analysis, evidence and unsupported claims
• Detailed margin comments and overall revision priorities

Choose this if: you want to understand how the essay works as a whole.

A$449 | Up to 5,000 words

For a substantial essay, literature review or research-based assignment.

• Detailed proofreading and academic editing
• Argument, structure and rubric review
• Referencing and presentation checks
• Word count reduction where needed
• Detailed comments and overall feedback with revision priorities

Choose this if: you need sustained attention across a longer piece of coursework.

Feedback from students I’ve helped with editing, proofreading and essay development.

“Adam provides great feedback and analysis, with extensive knowledge of the topic. He is well priced and is very quick on providing feedback, going above and beyond. He was really helpful in proof-reading and planning, I would highly recommend to any student!”

— Noah

“Adam is absolutely incredible and professional. He provides extremely extensive feedback which is vital in helping improve your assignments in the long run. Well priced and true-to-his-word on his quick turnaround times, I’d recommend him to any student seeking proof-reading or copyediting. I really cannot emphasise the value of his help and timeliness!”

— Steph

“Always helpful and timely”

— Rose

“Adam's feedback elevated the quality of my work”

— Terence

Yes. I provide proofreading and academic editing across disciplines.

My strongest areas for more detailed argument and subject-sensitive feedback are History, Arts, Humanities, Music and related fields. For scientific or technical subjects, I focus on writing, structure, clarity, task coverage, evidence use and presentation rather than specialist subject knowledge.

Ideally, send:

• your draft
• the assignment question or task sheet
• the marking rubric
• the required referencing style
• the word limit
• your deadline
• any particular concerns you would like me to focus on

The more context I have, the more useful and targeted my feedback can be.

No.

I can improve the expression of ideas you have already developed, correct awkward or unclear sentences and suggest ways to make your writing more precise.

Where a problem requires new analysis, research or intellectual work, I will flag it for you rather than doing that work on your behalf.

Your work remains your own.

Yes.

I can cut repetition, unnecessary phrasing and inefficient sentences while preserving the substance of your argument.

If meeting the word limit requires larger decisions about what content to remove, I will identify those areas for you to consider rather than deciding for you.

Yes.

I can check in-text citations and reference lists for formatting and internal consistency, including styles such as APA, Harvard and Chicago.

I can also flag discrepancies such as mismatched author names, publication years, missing references or inconsistent source details.

Where bibliographic information needs to be verified against the original source, I will flag it rather than guess.

Yes.

If you provide the assignment instructions and marking rubric, I can assess whether your draft appears to address the required components and identify areas that may need more attention.

I cannot predict or guarantee the mark your lecturer will award.

Final Draft Polish is primarily an editorial service. It is best suited to assignments where the argument and structure are already in place and the main priority is improving clarity, grammar, concision, presentation and referencing consistency.

Stronger Draft Review goes further. In addition to editing, I review how the assignment is working as a whole, including the thesis, argument, structure, critical analysis, use of evidence and alignment with the rubric.

If the assignment is longer than the package word limit, I provide a fixed quote based on the length and level of support required.

Turnaround depends on the length, scope and my availability. Send your deadline before booking; I’ll confirm a return date before work begins. If you need urgent essay feedback, include the exact submission date and time so I can tell you whether I can help.

You’ll normally receive your draft with tracked changes and comments. Stronger Draft Review and Major Assignment Support also include overall feedback and priority revisions. You can see the edits, consider the comments and decide how to revise your work.

It depends on your university, course and assessment. Check the rules before booking, and ask your lecturer or supervisor if anything is unclear. I’ll work within the permitted scope; I don’t write assessed work or supply the analysis for you.

Your university may also offer academic skills support. For example, the University of Melbourne’s Academic Skills appointments provide writing advice and feedback, with their own scope and eligibility requirements. My service is independent of the university.

No.

I can help you improve the clarity, presentation and effectiveness of your work and identify areas that may need further development, but assessment decisions remain with your lecturer or marker.

My aim is to help you submit the strongest version of your own work.

What does essay feedback look like?

A sentence can be grammatically sound and still leave a reader unsure about the argument. Here is a short demonstration of the difference between editing the wording and commenting on the reasoning.

This is an example I wrote for this page, not an extract from a student’s assignment.

Original sentence

It can be argued that public libraries are important due to the fact that they provide access to information for people in the community.

After a light edit

Public libraries are important because they give community members access to information.

The edit removes a hesitant opening and unnecessary words. It preserves the original claim; it does not supply new evidence or analysis.

The feedback that goes further

What kind of access matters to your argument: books, internet access or specialist advice? Who benefits, and what evidence supports your claim? Make the connection to the essay question explicit.

Those are questions for you to answer through your own reading and revision. If you want comments on argument and structure as well as sentence-level editing, ask about Stronger Draft Review.

Your work stays yours

I edit expression and explain where a draft needs attention. You make the decisions about your argument, evidence and revisions. I do not write assessed work, supply new analysis or invent sources.

Before booking, check what outside help your course permits. If you are unsure, ask your lecturer or supervisor and send me the relevant guidance so we can agree on an appropriate scope.

I won’t publish your assignment or use it as a sample without your explicit permission.

Tell me your subject, word count and deadline, and whether you want proofreading or more detailed essay feedback. You can name a package or ask me which would fit.

I’ll reply so you can send your draft and assignment instructions, then confirm the scope, price and return date before work begins. For a deadline coming up soon, include the exact date and time.

Looking for help with a website, article or business document? See my copywriting and editing services.