Wie zijn de Scribbr-editors?

My background is in Literature and Philosophy in which I have a PhD from the University of Sydney. I have worked for a number of years as a university lecturer teaching courses in literature, writing studies and critical thinking in Australia and New Zealand.  I have also taught ESL as having a Japanese father and European mother meant growing up with an awareness of the vagaries of language. I have been in love with words since my mother first began reading me bedtime stories and, for this reason, desire always that every word be treated with respect. What does that look like? It means using the right word in the right place at the right time. Doing so almost guarantees that your readers will want to keep reading because they can fully grasp the ideas being communicated. How is it achieved? Curiosity. Curiosity about what it means to really think well, curiosity about those who have done so, and the certain knowledge that it is a skill that can be learned.

Hello! I’m Alexandra, and I’m an American based in Germany. My background is mainly in biology and neuroscience, but I have always enjoyed reading on other fields. A combined love of words and learning brought me to editing – I find so much joy in the elegance of precise language, and reading/editing is a wonderful way to learn about something new! 

My favorite writing tip: lean into the imperfection of a first draft. It is always easier to refine text you have already written than to generate perfect text the first time around. I remind myself of this regularly and am often amazed at how much more efficiently I can reach my writing goals! 

Hiya! I have always been a logophile, and I suppose this coupled with my love of traveling brought me into the freelance editing world. I have a bachelor's degree in English literature and French, and I have seven years of experience editing, tutoring, and teaching English as a foreign language. I also completed a joint master's degree with a thesis at the intersection of film, gender, and cultural studies. On any given day, you can find me a) crying over books or films, b) flinging food around the kitchen, c) lugging my backpack across the world, or d) mispronouncing greetings in Arabic (the next language on my list). Oh, and e) editing your work ;)

Writing tip: If you aren't sure where to begin or feel stuck when working on a text, just start writing. Sometimes slogging your way through a bunch of irrelevant ideas will lead you to a clearer understanding of what you really want to say about your topic.

I have over twenty years of experience editing academic and texts, including articles for peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations, chapters in edited books, theses, and full books published by academic publishing houses.  For seventeen years I worked for one researcher.  Since his untimely passing I have been working as a freelance editor and Hebrew-to-English translator.  I also write children's books and so far have published twelve picture books, one of which won the National Jewish Book Award.  I excel at helping academics express their work in clear, professional English that flows smoothly.  Students: I can help you say exactly what you want to say.

A lifelong reader and writer, I was born and raised in the United States and hold a BA in English and a certificate in copyediting. In addition to editing for research and literary journals, I've written research articles and fiction, which has given me experience with the editing process from both sides of the red pen. My favorite part of editing is continually learning about language and the many ways writers use it.

Tip for writing: Once you've finished your first draft, take a break. Go on a walk, read a book, watch something, hang out with friends. When you come back to edit, you'll be able to see it with fresh eyes. You'll see where your argument needs improvement, notice typos you glazed over before, and think of fresh ways to express your thoughts.

Born and brought up in Zimbabwe, I studied Classics at the University of Cape Town. Most of my career has been in the parliamentary field. I worked as a Hansard editor and translator at our national Parliament in Cape Town, and then spent 20 years as head of Hansard at the Eastern Cape Legislature.

Currently I am freelancing as an editor and translator in Cape Town, my other languages being Dutch, German and Russian. And I now have more time than before for my great passion – the piano.

Thought for the day: "I'm exhausted. I spent all morning taking out a comma, and all afternoon putting it back again." Oscar Wilde

I'm a native New Yorker settled in Cape Town. I love our long summers, moody mountains and two oceans.

I live in Cape Town, South Africa. I have a master's degree in English literature from the University of Stellenbosch. In my career of almost four decades I have worked as a journalist, editor and translator for parliament, corporates, magazines, book publishers and websites. Teasing out the meaning from a badly constructed sentence is my greatest joy!

Writing tip: Don't try to sound intelligent! Clarify your thought, then express it as simply as you can. Honesty is always the best policy in writing.

I'm a writer with a BA in English (creative writing) and a minor in Game Design from Chapman University. I've been reading, writing, and editing for as long as I can remember, and I've done a variety of freelance writing and editing work over the past few years. For me, editing is like a puzzle: taking something apart, piece by piece, and strategically putting it back together to form a greater picture. It's incredibly fulfilling and I'm grateful that Scribbr has given me the opportunity to help students work on their own puzzles and tell their own stories.

I spend most of my free time doing indie video game work (I do character and narrative design, and I write a LOT of dialogue), but I also enjoy writing fiction, drawing, and going for walks.

Writing Tip: If you get stuck or find yourself rewriting something over and over, take a break, focus on something else, and come back to it later. Even if it's just for a few minutes, coming back to your writing with fresh eyes will usually allow you to spot mistakes that you might have missed the first time around. Alternatively, if you just can't get writing out of your head, try walking around or going over the problem out loud, either to yourself or to someone else. Even a little change in the process does wonders, especially when you're working on something creative.

My academic background is in Arabic and International Relations. I studied at Tufts University and then spent several years in Amman, Jordan, where I worked in humanitarian aid and journalism. As a reporter, I learned the importance of clear, concise language — and the difference between en and em dashes! Since then, I’ve edited a wide range of material, including everything from personal statements and cover letters to blog posts about how to fix household appliances. Learning about a variety of topics that I might not otherwise encounter is one of my favorite things about being an editor. I look forward to seeing what you're working on and helping you get it in tip-top shape!

Hello!

I'm Bala (rhymes with gala), an Indian international nurtured by Canadian English grammar rules. If "spending my entire childhood developing native proficiency in a language close to my heart" qualifies as a worthy testimonial, I would be its proud owner. I currently live in Bengaluru (southern India) with my partner and our Indie rescue dog.

At my job, beyond "correcting errors", I focus on bringing clarity and consistency to writing, on blowing a breath of fresh air into languid prose. Ultimately, I aspire for beauty in communication. You will find me in my free time diving deep into the ocean of linguistic nuances, striving to keep abreast of transient language rules...

Many editors will tell you to keep your writing simple, and while that is solid advice, here's a (little wacky) visualisation technique for reviewing a first draft---this procedure could be useful when you sit down for a final appraisal too:

1. Picture, in great detail, one of the reviewers or supervisors who will be reading your work.
2. Visualize yourself observing this human in the act of scanning your document.
3. Now step into their body and read your paper.

This mental manoeuvre will immediately ensure sharper focus (e.g., use of appropriate tone) in your words, sentences, and paragraphs.

Happy writing!

Hi everyone. 

My background is in law, an area full of lofty language and convoluted sentences. I love drilling down into a sentence and figuring out how to express the idea in a precise and clear way.

I'm looking forward to helping you out. I always learn something new each time I take an assignment, and it is a pleasure to help people express themselves.

Teacher, Writer and Editor based in Amsterdam. Has a research background in arts/culture, and an unhealthy obsession with pop culture and electronic music.

As a former ESL instructor and IELTS examiner, I love being a part of the international community. As a writer, I love helping other people succeed with their writing!

My educational background in Journalism has provided me with a broad base from which to approach many topics, including business, management, leadership, social sciences, humanities, and social media. My experience as an associate editor at a regional magazine catering to CEOs and other top-level decision makers has also enhanced my skill in developing compelling content. Moreover, my stint as a manuscript consultant has afforded me the opportunity to work on the journal articles, theses, dissertations, research grant proposals, and books of academics from renowned business schools in Southeast Asia, such as the Asian Institute of Management and the Ateneo Graduate School of Business.

I have been working with writing-challenged clients for several years. My objective has always been to uphold the accuracy of and consistency in messaging and style across all job orders and ensure the flawlessness of written material. This objective is complemented by my commitment to help clients to improve their writing.

My tip for writing: Spend a considerable amount of time on preparing an outline before working on a paper. A detailed outline helps identify a strong thesis and follow up with ideas and examples to build on that thesis. Referring to an outline during the writing process can vastly enhance your sense of focus.

Hi! l live in the UK, where I'm currently completing a PhD in Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge. In the past, I studied Medicine at University College London (UCL), followed by a master's in Speech, Language & Cognition. I also have experience in student supervision and teaching. I have a meticulous eye for detail, and I enjoy encouraging students and helping them to reach their goals. Working with Scribbr has helped me to improve my own writing, and I hope one day to write a book. Outside of work, I have a passion for Sri Lankan culture and the Sinhala language. I'm also an aspiring artist and enjoy creating my own clothes/jewellery.

Writing tip: Remember to look after yourself while you study! Short rewards while you work, followed by a bigger reward at the end of the day can break up a seemingly overwhelming task into much more manageable pieces.

I grew up in the Midwestern United States, graduating with a BA in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin. Don't let that social sciences degree fool you -- language is, and has always been, my true love. Despite never having left the 48 contiguous states (or, perhaps, as a result of this fact), I have an insatiable curiosity for the cultures of and experiences offered by various countries around the world. Editing and learning from the theses and dissertations of students who not only attend universities from all over the world, but have conducted research in some of the most amazing places, is something that I am extremely grateful to be able to do. 

Writing tip: Read. Your brain is constantly forming new connections, through every little stimulus it's given. As you read, you are subconsciously reinforcing the "right" connections -- the ones that tell you how a word should be spelled, where a comma should actually go, or which "there" (they're?) to use in a particular context. It's a simple, yet effective way to improve your grammar and spelling in the long term (no memorization required!).

Courtney started with Scribbr as an editor in June 2017. She has a Bachelor in Communication and a Master in Editing and Publishing, and has worked as a freelance writer and editor since 2013. She loves helping students and academics all over the world improve their writing (and learning about their research while doing so!).

I retired in 2018 from a 41-year career as a daily newspaper editor, but I’ve found that I miss the fulfilling work of editing. Thanks to Scribbr, I’ll continue to have the opportunity!

My husband and I live in Davis, Calif., a vibrant university town just west of the state capital of Sacramento. We love to travel, spend time with our grandchildren, and attend all types of sporting events (alas, we're stuck with televised sports during this global pandemic).

Writing tip: Simple, direct writing can be very powerful. When in doubt, use fewer words.

Hi! I love film and hope to live my life as if it is one (more Wenders than Leone though). I've taught English in Japan, was an adjunct professor in New York, and wrote blogs and books in London. I'd really like to help students with their theses and dissertations; I imagine I could learn a lot. :)

Hi! I’m a university professor and a national APA copyeditor for PsyD candidates. My years of teaching and tutoring have given me a wide-range of content knowledge. Since defending my doctoral dissertation in 2016, I’ve helped hundreds of students achieve academic success. My favorite part of working for Scribbr is that I edit for students, institutions, and researchers worldwide. You’ll be glad to know that Scribbr is “the real deal.” My colleagues respect the ethical, consistent editing standards from Scribbr editors!

Earl Miller is a freelance editor and writer with more than thirty years experience. He has over 300 publication credits, mostly in the visual arts field, alongside a breadth of editing experience in the corporate and academic sectors.

Hi! I was the girl reading a book under the slide during recess. In 2013, I graduated with a BA in English. Pouring, drinking, and selling wine in Paso Robles, California is my other job.

Reading fills me with joy. Writing allows my creative juices to flow.  Editing challenges my brain. I'm excited to be a member of the Scribbr Editing team! 

Writing Tip: Simple is good. Don't try to use a lot of fancy words to make a point. 

My academic background is in urban planning and public policy; I hold a master's degree in urban planning from Tufts University. I've recently taken a break from my field to spend my summers studying Swedish in Uppsala, Sweden. As a student of foreign language, I understand how frustrating it can be to struggle to find the right word or phrase in English, and I strive to help students clearly express their ideas. 

Writing tip: Keep it simple! It's better to write short, correct sentences than complex sentences containing many errors.

Hi, I'm Emi! I have a B.A. in Studio Art (oil painting) from Whitman College and an M.A. in Teaching from the University of Portland. Outside of Scribbr, I am a freelance artist, and I've found that my editing work has sharpened my creative process by making me a more intentional communicator. I love editing because I get to help others while learning about new subjects! In my spare time, I enjoy reading, gardening, sketching, practicing my aerial silks routines, and exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

Hello! I'm Emily. I've been a technical editor for almost 25 years, working primarily in the electricity and energy sector. I have Bachelor's and Master's degrees in English Language and Literature, and I look forward to working with you!

Hi, I'm Emily! I have a BAS in electrical engineering and an MA in psychology, and I'm currently pursuing a PhD in computational neuroscience. I was born and raised in Canada. When I'm not busy with school and editing, I enjoy reading, yoga, photography, and hiking. I like working at Scribbr because I get to learn about a wide range of topics while helping people express their ideas.

I'm passionate about clear scientific communication, and I believe simplicity is key! Expressing your ideas using direct, simple language can be difficult, but doing so is often the best way to engage your reader. 

I hold a BA in Political Science and Arabic from the University of Notre Dame and an MSc in Global Governance and Diplomacy from the University of Oxford. I have worked in career centers in both the United States and Egypt, and this experience fueled my passion for helping students effectively present themselves and their work. As a student of Arabic, I understand the difficulties of mastering the intricacies of grammar and writing in a foreign language, and I am happy to help you hone your writing while learning about new topics from your work! Writing tip: When you're feeling stuck, don't be afraid to write down the first thing that comes to mind even if it's messy, and come back to refine it later.

Hello! My name is Hesper, and I'm a qualified Scribbr English editor. My job is to guide you in communicating your ideas more effectively! I love the focused, goal-centered quiet that comes with editing. I also consider education and the dreams that are propelled by academic achievement to be  vital.

I grew up as a native English speaker in the United States, and in 2016, I earned my BA in English. In the course of that degree, I worked as an English TA helping general education students improve their essays, I was the head copy editor of a student newspaper, and I was a founding member of an organization that now runs two conferences for young writers. Today, I freelance edit for a broad set of clients on and off of Scribbr. I also write teen sci-fi/fantasy novels featuring disabled characters.

My top piece of advice for writers is to know what does and doesn't work for you. Figure out when, where, and how you write best! Part of this process is learning what mistakes you make most often and what words you tend to overuse.

For as long as I can remember, I have had a keen interest in linguistics and writing, and I had unknowingly been editing long before my career officially began. At university, friends would always ask me to check their spelling and grammar or help them with translation, which thrilled me! Through this I realised how much I loved helping people express themselves and refine their writing; so, after completing my studies in journalism, I enrolled for an honours degree in language practice to delve deeper into the world of editing and translation. Now, 10 years into my career as an editor in higher education, I still love it as much as I did back then. Editing is fulfilling in so many ways, but it is especially rewarding to work closely with students from around the world and help them bring their ideas to life. It is a true joy to engage with such diverse academic research.

Writing tip: Excellent writing is a slow process that often requires several stages of refinement, so don't worry too much if you are struggling with your first draft. I've learnt that once you manage to get your basic ideas down on paper, creativity and inspiration tend to follow.  

Hi! I'm originally from Manchester, UK. I have a degree in mathematics, which I taught at high school, first in Namibia and then in the UK. In 2003, I moved to Tokyo to be with my girlfriend (now wife of 17 years) and have lived there since. I have been proofreading scientific work since 2006 but also enjoy doing anything in the social sciences. I can often be found with my head in a book or at a football stadium with my sons, cheering on FC Tokyo.

Writing tip: Try to make every word and phrase serve a purpose by avoiding wordy expressions. For example, "It is important to note here that" can just be replaced by "Note that". Not only will you make fewer mistakes and need to write less, but it will also help you sharpen your arguments. It's also kind to your readers. 

While studying to obtain a BA in psychology (which I received in 2015), I fell in love with language and found that I had a knack for writing and editing. Based on this experience, I knew I wanted a career that involved working with language in some way. So, soon after graduating, I began freelancing as an editor and loved it! After gaining six years of experience, I became a qualified editor at Scribbr.

My favorite thing about working for Scribbr is that it gives me the opportunity to help authors improve their English skills by pointing out common errors. For example, did you know that if you begin a sentence with the word "furthermore" or "moreover," it is usually unnecessary to include the word "also" later in that sentence?

Lately, I have been spending most of my spare time writing a novel that I hope to publish soon. また、日本語勉強するのが好きです。 (Also, I like studying Japanese.)

I love working with clients to boost the clarity, concision and cohesiveness of their writing, whether it's academic, business-focused or creative.

After living in London, New York and Montreal, I'm now based in the UK's beautiful Peak District with my wife and our young son.

I'm a literature student by trade (BA English Language and Literature, Oxford; MA English Literature, McGill), but I've worked right across the humanities and social sciences, as well as in various aspects of business through my professional work in marketing.

When I'm not busy editing, I run my own online marketing consultancy for small businesses, Maker's Name, specialising in website design, SEO, copywriting and digital advertising.

Writing Tip 

Writing should have punch and muscularity. Don't hide behind flowery or imprecise language. Be more like Hotspur in Henry IV Part I:

I had rather hear a brazen can'stick turn'd, 
Or a dry wheel grate on the axle-tree;
And that would set my teeth nothing on edge,
Nothing so much as mincing poetry:
'Tis like the forced gait of a shuffling nag.

Go ahead, grate that axle-tree, and get rid of any mincing poetry once and for all!

I was born in London, England, and have worked there for most of my professional life, writing and editing. I have also lectured in English in China for several years, preparing undergraduate and postgraduate students for further study abroad.

As any good writer will tell you, the best way to improve is to read as much good and bad writing as possible, and then go out and write badly, making mistakes and receiving criticism. In particular, I have to remind myself daily of Orwell’s third rule for good writing: ‘if it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.’ Of course, he also stipulated that this rule could – and should – be broken. For a writer in a language with more exceptions than rules, this sort of advice seems appropriate. To all who write in English as a second language, you have my complete empathy and I will always be happy to assist (or at least share in your despair), wherever I can.

Hi, I'm Jamie! I currently live in Windsor, Canada, and I lived in Toronto before this.

I first earned a degree in journalism, then graduated from university after completing a double major in philosophy and English language and literature. During university, I studied abroad for a year just outside of London, England.

I love editing philosophy papers and engaging with those ideas, big and small.

When I'm not editing, I'm probably playing with my dog, a spoiled 1-year-old American Eskimo, or hanging out with my wife. I also enjoy listening to metal, playing video games, and reading comic books. :)

Hi, I'm Jared. I'm from the U.S. and am currently living in the Los Angeles, California area. For as long as I can remember, I have enjoyed reading and writing. My love for the written word truly blossomed in college, where I majored in English. I remember not only being meticulous about editing and revising my own writing but also helping friends and classmates with theirs. As a classroom teacher for 15 years and a tutor for 5 years, I have become very skilled at helping students improve their writing. I enjoy the challenge of finding the clearest way to express ideas while preserving each writer's unique style, craft, and voice.

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Hi! I have a certificate in editing, an MFA in Dance, and a BFA in Ballet. I was an assistant professor of Dance at Portland State University and performed with modern dance companies for over a decade. 

I love reading and follow a variety of interests including literature, editing, health, and world news. During my graduate studies in dance, I took additional classes, such as kinesiology, biomechanics, and training periodization, to broaden my understanding of human movement potential, gaining knowledge across the art and science of motion.

I enjoy helping writers achieve clear and graceful writing. Pursuing clarity through grammar, usage, and mechanics is rewarding.

I have lived in states ranging from the East Coast to the West Coast in the United States and in Suffolk, England. I currently live in Oregon with my three kids, my husband, and a poofy poodle.  

I’m an Australian-based freelance editor/proofreader. I came to editing after a journey through many other professions (including public relations) and business enterprises, and helping friends and relatives with their writing projects. I have a Bachelor of Arts with a triple major (Education, Sociology and German). My interests include hockey, swimming, reading, writing, music and drinking coffee.

Editing is ‘home’ for me: I love the written word and I love to learn. Editing provides me with many words and a wide range of learning experiences!

Writing English: ‘Keep it simple’ is always best. As a general rule, English sentences are not complex: don’t complicate them.

Born and raised in Scotland, I studied computer science at university before working as an IT developer in the telecommunications industry. I now work as a freelance copy-editor, using the attention to detail required by my background in computer science combined with my interest in language and linguistics to help others improve their writing.

My tip to improve your writing is to have someone else look it over. Another pair of eyes often catches mistakes you overlooked.

California, US, is my home state. I live in Pismo Beach, about a half block from the Pacific Ocean. It's a beautiful place to be semi-retired! I have a BA in English with a minor in history from CSU Stanislaus, and I've been editing professionally for over three years now. During college, I worked as a writing lab tutor and a reader for an English professor. I love language, and I've always been fascinated by the wild and crazy things it can do. My tip for learning to write better is to read a lot of good writing, as much as you can, because it tends to be contagious.

I worked in molecular biology research for nearly 30 years before leaving to help care for my aging parents. As I return to the world now, having lost them both, I realize that I wish to help not only the next generation of academic researchers but also all of those who look to better our condition on this little rock in the Milky Way. I know English writing and grammar very well, and I have written and published nearly 40 peer-reviewed papers in international journals. But we all have our own stories -- and mine does not matter so much in the grand scheme. This rock, and our galaxy, which is one among trillions, may be our only anchors in a vast wilderness, and so let's treat them accordingly. I would be most honored to help in any efforts in this pursuit. :)

Like organizing a closet or working in a garden, editing satisfies. I love to prune verbiage to help an author's voice and ideas flourish. I'm a lawyer-on-hiatus, bookworm, and jazz vocalist in the Washington, DC area. I've also lived and worked in New York and Tokyo. I have an AB in philosophy and a law degree from Harvard.  During law school, I was my journal's executive editor, in charge of style and citation format. I wrote and edited for 15 years as an international litigator and for another decade as an arts nonprofit leader.

Writing Tips: When in doubt, separate a complicated idea into shorter sentences. You can always combine them later. Read your work aloud. If you can't understand what you hear, a reader won't understand what you write!

After growing up in Southern California and receiving my undergraduate degree in Psychology and History, I decided to branch out a little, and I moved across the country to complete my master's in Psychology. Still in love with learning for its own sake as well as for its practical applications, I entered law school and earned my J.D. Across those seemingly divergent educational fields, one consistent thread was my love for writing, editing, and following the rules of grammar! I have found a place for that enthusiasm at Scribbr, and I love helping students and professionals advance in their writing. 

I have been a professional proofreader and copy editor for two decades, having graduated with a BA in English and an MA in creative writing. I work for commercial clients too, but have a preference for academic proofreading and find it a joy to read essays and theses on such a diverse range of subjects.

In my spare time I write plays, read widely for pleasure, and take French lessons. I am British and living in the south of France.

My writing tip is: precision. Precision gives strength to a statement. It cuts out background noise and allows the ideas to speak. Inflated phrasing, repetition, and redundancy obscure the meaning of a text, which is particularly problematic for high-level academic works. The more complex an idea, the greater the need for precise language. This view is central to my practice as a copy editor.  

Born in the United States but raised mainly in Canada, I have always been fascinated by the many different cultures found both in North America and around the world. Most interesting to me is how our cultures set us all apart but communication--no matter the language--brings us all together. Our various abilities and passions allow us to tell engaging and inspiring stories, and through those stories, we connect with one another. This fascination with culture and communication is what led me to complete a BA in Honours English, a certificate program on publishing, and a certification course on TESL. With the hope of helping others to refine their writing skills, I have been working as a freelance editor ever since.

I am thrilled to be a Scribbr editor because it means I will have the chance to connect with both editors and students from those many different cultures I mentioned and not only learn from them but also share my own North American culture, English language, editing abilities, and passion for reading (and learning from) all the things. After all, a well-written and informative thesis can and should be just as engaging and inspiring as a work of fiction, and the best advice I can offer to any writer, let alone academic writers, is to read voraciously and try to learn as much as you can from the writing. Fiction, non-fiction--anything and everything will do.

"If you don't have time to read, you don't have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that."

-- Stephen King

I currently live in Seattle, although I have lived and worked all over the world, including in Greece, Australia, and Nepal. I have an MA in Public Administration and a BA in English and Political Science. For the past 14 years, I have worked as a freelance and newspaper editor, and as a writer, researcher, and English teacher. My students include both native and non-native English speakers, and over the years I have taught everything from business English to Shakespeare.

My favorite part of teaching English is helping others to improve their writing. I pay very close attention to detail, and I assure you that I treat your papers and theses with as much care as if they were my own. Helping you to improve your written English and to succeed academically is extremely rewarding for me. The other amazing part of working for SCRiBBR is that I learn something new from every paper I edit.

When I am not working, you will most likely find me dangling off a cliff somewhere in the mountains. I am an avid rock climber and mountaineer, and I still occasionally work as a guide and outdoor educator.

Tip for Writing in English: Although he was not likely thinking about theses at the time, Albert Einstein had great advice for writers everywhere: “Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler.” Keep your sentences as short and concise as you can, without sacrificing meaning. In many cases, two shorter sentences are much better than one longer sentence. 

I am a Hungarian–American, born and raised in the USA and currently living in Budapest. Before moving to Hungary, I worked in Holland as a freelance English instructor and editor, helping on countless theses and copy-editing two books. My work and personal academic experiences have provided me with an intensive exposure to academic writing and have fueled my obsessions with grammar and etymology! 

In Budapest, I am working as an ESL teacher and freelance editor while attending a university program in Hungarian language. I love languages and have studied Latin, Italian, and Mandarin Chinese while earning a BA in international studies from Kenyon College (USA). After graduating, I moved to Shanghai where I earned an ESL degree and taught English full time.

I understand the common diffulties and problems faced when trying to master English, and I love helping my students not only correct, but also understand their mistakes so that they can be avoided in the future. 

Writing tip: It is easy to get lost in specific terminology when describing a complex topic, and sentences often become lengthy, confusing, and equally as complex! I always encourage my students to try to be as clear as possible and try to read their own sentences from the perspective of someone who is not familiar with the topic. Clarity and consistency can go a long way in making a complex concept easy to understand. 

For as long as I can remember, reading has been my absolute favorite thing to do. My love of reading ultimately grew into a passion for helping others express themselves as clearly as possible through their writing.

I completed U.C. Berkeley’s Professional Sequence in Editing and have a BA (Vassar College) and MS (Portland State University) in geography. I use this background in the social sciences to inform my work.

My favorite punctuation mark is the em-dash—it is so versatile and makes a great statement!

Hello! My name is Leona and I'm a native English speaker from Northern Ireland. I have a Master's degree in French and Spanish, and I also hold a PhD in Spanish with expertise in Latina literature, gender studies, and intersectional feminisms. I have taught in Higher Education for over five years and I love helping students improve their writing skills and increase their confidence in expressing themselves. When I'm not teaching or editing students' work, you can usually find me crocheting a blanket or hanging out with my dog.

A writing tip: Start by doing it "badly"! If you're a perfectionist like me, the blank page is often the most challenging hurdle to overcome when writing. To combat that initial writer's block, commit yourself to doing a "bad" job. By removing any pressure to create a masterpiece from the outset, you will give yourself the chance to simply get your ideas down on paper. Then, you can start to edit and refine that "badly" written piece into a concise and well-structured essay.

I grew up in West Yorkshire, England. I have a BSc in chemistry from Durham University and a PhD in polymer chemistry from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh. I’m currently based in Edinburgh.

Since I left university, my working life has varied widely to accommodate raising my two sons. However, the English language has remained one of my strengths and interests. Spelling and grammar errors have frequently drawn my attention, and at times I have had to restrain myself from correcting them.

I have over 8 years’ experience as an academic editor and have edited well over 2,000 academic texts in British and US English, specialising in scientific papers for publication in academic journals.

In 2015, I completed a TEFL course and began running a weekly EFL conversation class. Teaching English as a foreign language has made me more aware of concepts I previously took for granted, such as uncountable nouns. It has also given me an insight into the difficulties faced by those who learn English as a second language.

I enjoy improving a piece of writing and helping people write better English. For me, one of the best aspects of being an editor is that I am constantly learning.

Academic writing tips:

Write concisely – don’t use several words when you can use one.

Read your work aloud – this highlights grammar errors as they generally spoil the flow of the text. I often use Microsoft Word’s Read Aloud feature for this.

I am an author, editor, and certified ESL instructor from the United States.

My mom often tells the story of my first day of kindergarten: apparently I came home from school furious that I hadn't learned how to read yet. I quickly became a voracious reader, devouring every available bit of text--cereal boxes, shampoo bottles, and junk mail were my daily fodder. I remember clearly the moment in third grade when diagramming sentences suddenly made sense to me. I've had a love affair with words ever since.

I still love to read--and I still read cereal boxes. 

I enjoy editing because I delight in the process of enabling ideas to shine brightly. I've been privileged to edit in different fields throughout my career; I began by working for several real estate magazines, and then I was employed in the nonprofit sector, where I edited newsletters, donor support letters, books, and conference materials. After my sons were born, I volunteered for any editing I could get my hands on, which usually consisted of scads of newsletters and the occasional newspaper article. Editing academic work is especially interesting because of the wide array of topics I encounter. 

My tip: serial commas, also known as Oxford commas, are your friend. They eliminate confusion and lend a rhythmic cadence to your writing.

I have a bachelor's degree in Communication and a master's degree in Educational Technology. During my master's, I took a special interest in distance learning. I have experience working in the high school classroom with at-risk youth. Then I moved into higher education, where I worked at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Medicine and at the University of Pennsylvania's Gene Therapy Program. In both roles, I supported curriculum and performed administrative functions. I was also editorial manager for the journals Human Gene Therapy and Human Gene Therapy Methods. I got to take advantage of working for Universities by enrolling in courses in areas of interest, such as nutrition and health & fitness. I also hold a certification as a RYT 200 yoga instructor. I am pleased to continue to help students by providing editing services at Scribbr. One tip for writing in English is to take advantage of the thesaurus. If you have a general idea of what you want to write, but it isn't exactly what you want to express, look up the word that vaguely suits your purpose and see what synonyms the thesaurus provides. You may be surprised that you find the perfect word. Using precise language not only boosts your confidence as a writer but also helps the reader's comprehension. 

Hello! My name is Maya, and I’m from the UK. My academic background is in music, but the English language is my longest-enduring passion. Like many editors here, I’ve been reading voraciously since childhood, both to learn more about the world around me and to escape into the imagined worlds others have created. Working at Scribbr is a fantastic opportunity to read literature from across many fields and help students to communicate ideas they’re passionate about as effectively as possible.

Writing tip: Don’t aim for perfection in the first draft. Instead, focus on getting your ideas onto the page in whatever form they take, no matter how imperfect. Later, you can return and polish what you’ve written.

I am a writer, editor, doctor, and life coach. I grew up in a small town in Texas and moved to India to pursue medicine. I completed my TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certification and have been teaching English for over 3 years now. I love editing because I love helping others improve their writing, and I enjoy working with people all around the world!

Hi! I'm an editor based in Northern California. My degrees are in English and microbiology, and I spent ten years teaching writing to college students before becoming an editor. I firmly believe that there are no bad papers, only ideas in need of development and writers in need of support.

Outside of work, I can usually be found cooking, riding bikes, humming along to folk and bluegrass music, trying to become a less-bad gardener, chasing my dog, and raising two small humans who love to read.

I graduated from Towson University in 2019 with a BS in English Literature and a minor in Business and Communications. My passion for the English language, interest in helping others, and background in editing with various literary and publishing organizations made Scribbr the perfect fit for me.

My best writing tip is to read! Especially if you are writing a very particular type of paper or in a specific academic field, take some time to thoroughly read and understand papers and reports of a similar type to the one you are writing. Nothing else will give you as good of an understanding of how things are typically done.

Hello! My name is Michael Elizabeth, and I'm an American living in the United Kingdom after spending two years in the Netherlands. I have a BA and MScR in psychology; I'm now studying medical sociology and anthropology. When I'm not devouring books and articles for my degree program, I'm usually drafting new stand-up comedy material or brewing a cup of tea. 

Two writing tips based on my own experiences: first, write as much as you can! Write journal entries, letters to friends, emails to professors, fan fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and (of course) academic papers. The more you write, the easier it will be to produce writing when you need to. Second, just start! The hardest part of doing is often starting. Any little pieces of work you can accomplish immediately will make the rest of the work ahead much more manageable. 

I live in South Africa and I specialise in editing academic papers for second-language English speakers. I am a published academic with a doctorate of philosophy in theology - so I have a keen sense of logical consistency and will point out any logical difficulties with your text. I also have more than 20 years experience in the newspaper industry, where I "subbed" and rewrote stories (mostly for second-language English writers), and also mentored reporters. The newspaper environment is a fantastic training ground for learning all the little tricks of the trade, such as common mistakes to look out for and little things you can do to improve the writing. You cannot imagine all the details involved in editing copy!

Tip for students: if English is not your first language and you are studying in English, read, read, read and read some more English books! I mean good, classic novels - not just articles on the internet, which are often full of mistakes. This will give you a good feel for the language. Begin by getting an English copy of a novel you have already read in Dutch. Then you will have a sense of the content. Read a chapter a night, taking special note of the use of prepositions. These are non-native speakers' greatest difficulty with English. Keep doing this until you are thinking in English.

I'm a writer/editor/translator (Spanish to English), as well as a yoga teacher and retreat leader. Originally from Texas, I've lived on Lake Atitlan in the Guatemalan highlands with my partner, daughter, cats and dogs since 2012. 

Hi, I'm Mitchell. I live in Arizona, USA, and I have a BA in psychology.

I am a language acquisition and language assessment expert, and I have been conducting research in these areas for over 15 years. I veered into testing and assessment after obtaining my PhD in theoretical linguistics from the University of Cambridge, UK, where I also worked for a few years before moving to the US. I currently live in San Diego, where I investigate language development of students learning the so-called less commonly taught languages. Although I love research and find it very rewarding, editing provides a healthy dose of variety to my daily work: I enjoy reading students’ work because I learn so much from it. Also, I don’t get much opportunity to teach these days, so helping students with their writing helps fill this void.

When I am not at work, I spend time with my family, play percussion with a few local bands, and climb rocks.

A writing tip: Remember, thesis writing is not a race to the highest page count; don’t waste time padding. Also, keep in mind that some readers will read your work from start to finish, some will read only the introductory and concluding chapters, some might scan or search for what they need, and some might only flip through it: a well-structured thesis will satisfy them all!  

I’ve worked as an editor and writer for 30 years. I began as a BBC radio researcher and script writer, and after my first book was published in 1994 (Maypoles, Martyrs and Mayhem, Bloomsbury), I kept the wolf from the door by writing magazine articles and copywriting for agencies and corporates. Most of my work has been freelance, enabling me to indulge a parallel life as a semi-professional musician. In recent years I've specialised in academic and book editing, along with charity content management, and blogging for clients great and small. I’ve also written another 10 books since that first one (most recently The Little History of Oxfordshire, The History Press, 2019); and edited several others - for example, Professor Michael Crawford's groundbreaking The Brain Under Siege (April 2023) and two books for professional musician Tom Kitching: Seasons of Change: Busking England (March 2020) and EPs, B-sides and Rarities (2022).

The key to good writing is clarity. It's amazing how far the old format of 'introduction - method - results - conclusion' gets you, in any field of writing. Map out beforehand what you need to say in each section. You'll then have a framework, a path of least resistance down which your content can flow. It might not achieve full focus immediately, so take time out as and when necessary. Grab a cup of something, mess around on the guitar, whatever unwinds you, and then dive in refreshed.

Hello!

Words have always been my passion, ever since I read about Humpty Dumpty telling Alice about mastering them. I read a lot, I write and would like to write more, and I edit because nothing gives me more joy than experiencing words being used correctly, effectively, powerfully.

I have a postgraduate degree in Economics and another in Hindi. I have been associated with words for more than two decades now, writing and editing in both English and Hindi, and I still love to learn more about language and its usage.

I believe that writing is the most powerful when it is at its simplest. As Hemingway said, "My aim is to put down on paper what I see and what I feel in the best and simplest way."

I wish you happy explorations in this wonderful world of the written word.

Hello!

I'm from Bengaluru, India, and I've lived here all my life, from its days of being a "Garden City" to being the "Silicon Valley of India." I've a Bachelors degree in Journalism, English, and Psychology and a Masters degree in Mass Communication. I've seven years of experience in editing newspaper articles, fiction, and academic textbooks as well as academic papers such as theses and dissertations. The latter has been my focus the past four years. While I'm most comfortable with papers on the Humanities, my love is for the language itself and learning something new every day. I like taking up online courses on various topics (currently on International Humanitarian Law) to help me edit better.

My hobbies include reading on a daily basis, practicing yoga, painting, cycling, trekking, and playing board games. I live with my husband and two cats, and I hope to adopt a dog in the near future.

Pro-tip: Make good use of punctuations, mainly periods. Nothing takes away your readers' attention and understanding like a long sentence. Two smaller sentences are more likely to express your intention clearly than a really long one.

I love helping writers streamline the structure of their scientific work with an extensive library of Word comments that I’ve built and refined over six years. Although, as a member of the European Association of Science Editors (EASE) and the American Psychological Association (APA), I prefer editing empirical research in humanities, social and behavioral sciences, business, and IT, my diverse background in English literature, software engineering, fiction editing, and medical transcription means that I can edit just about anything with interest and familiarity.

As an academic editor, I consider myself a guide on the side rather than a sage on the stage, in that I like to collaborate with writers to help them make decisions that work well for them. Keeping the original voice and soul of writing intact is something I care deeply about in editing.

I'm an English-speaking South African with a PhD in Linguistics. My educational background includes a Bachelor in Linguistics, English Literature and Philosophy; and an Honours and two Masters degrees in Linguistics.

In the past I have tutored first-year university English, and I have extensive experience in editing academic texts and theses.

A tip for writing in English (or any language that is not your mother tongue): First and foremost, try to express yourself clearly. Using complex sentences or 'fancy-sounding' words that you've found in a thesaurus often makes your argument harder to follow.

Hi! I'm Rukky, and I like to think of myself as a woman with many hats: researcher, writer, editor, singer, YouTuber, development worker, and lawyer. I hold a bachelor's degree in law from University College London, I am qualified to practise law in Nigeria, and I am currently enrolled on a master's programme in Sweden.

Over the course of my education and work, I have written and edited a variety of formal and creative texts, including essays, articles, blog posts, letters, manuals, songs, and poems. This extensive experience has given me a strong command of language as an effective tool for communication.

Here's my top tip for writing academic content: Words build sentences, sentences build paragraphs, and paragraphs build your entire argument. Deconstructing your argument like this will help you build a strong, coherent piece that effectively conveys your ideas to your readers.

I fell in love with words and the stories they created at a young age. The way different words connected to create different meanings fascinated me. In school, I began tutoring my classmates in English grammar, and I loved it. It was my passion, but I did not understand it then. I studied business, got my MBA from a wonderful university, and worked in a variety of fields, none of which fulfilled me. Finally, I made the decision to freelance as a writer and editor. From there, there was no looking back. I have learnt, grown, taught, and found fulfillment.

Since 2018, my focus has been on academic editing, and I specialize in APA and MLA formatting and citations. I enjoy academic editing since I learn something new from each paper, and it’s so rewarding to be able to help students.

Other things I enjoy: Lifting weights, going for long walks, cuddling my kids, baking, reading a good book

Writing Tip: Keep it simple; keep it clear.

I grew up in rural Ontario and spent a few years after high school making music at cafés and bars, before leaving for my university education. At Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, I completed a combined honours degree, first class, in Philosophy and English, returning the next year to complete an MA in English. My undergraduate work focused on philosophy of language and feminist philosophy, while my master’s thesis focused on ecology and contemporary Canadian poetry.

While at the school my writing interests were broadened well beyond the scope of my own disciplines. As I completed my undergrad, I spent five years as a university writing tutor, seeing students at all levels of education (from entrance level to PhD) and treating writing in most academic styles: scientific, creative, business, journalistic, argumentative, and so forth. About half of the students who came to the centre were accomplished writers in their native tongues. These students worked with our tutors to learn the nuances of English writing specifically, and they gave me plenty of practice working with writers who come to English from other languages. During these five years I also graded for the Engineering, Commerce, English, and Philosophy departments, and gained some teaching experience along the way. I work in writing because I find it gratifying to read interesting papers on subjects or arguments I’ve not been exposed to.

Tip for writing in English: English speakers find that writing tends to be clearest when the main verb in a sentence is close to the beginning of that sentence, whereas it is more common in other languages to push the main verb further into a sentence. Try to be attentive to the placement of that main verb, and try to place it early.  This advice, of course, does not apply to all sentences, but works well as a general writing guideline.

Hello! My name is Sharon. I have a master’s degree in education and have worked as a freelance editor for several years. I love to help people express their ideas in clear, professional English. Writing tip: Focus on one idea per paragraph.

I have always loved the written word. This led me to complete a BA in English Literature and, a few years later, an MA in Publishing. I did some travelling and working overseas (including teaching English in Japan) before spending several years working at a communications agency in my home country, the UK. Here I wrote and edited content for businesses in the UK, the US, and Eastern Europe. I chose to work with Scribbr because it combines two of my great passions: editing and helping people to reach their full potential in their writing.

Writing tip: “The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do.” Thomas Jefferson

My degrees are a BA with English and psychology as majors, a BA Honours degree in psychology, and a master's degree in research psychology. My interests are broad, but I really enjoy working with post-graduate students as I learn so much from them. My advice for new writers is to write sentences that are short, simple, and clear. Include only one main idea in each sentence, and make sure there's enough punctuation. Many novice writers try to cram too much information into a sentence, or they use overly long and complicated words. Always put your reader first and try to make their reading task easier. 

Hi, I'm Susanne! I live in Flagstaff, a small mountain town in northern Arizona (USA). I have degrees in Environmental Science and Geology. For my PhD, I studied ancient volcanic eruptions and had the opportunity to conduct fieldwork in the western U.S., Brazil, Italy, and the Caribbean. I spend my free time running, cooking, baking, playing board games (I'm currently learning how to play chess! I'm terrible!), watching documentaries, reading, and hanging out with my spouse and son.

Although I love science, I've always loved writing, too. My first tip for academic writing is to create a detailed outline before you begin working on your paper. The more specific you can be, the better. The outline will serve as your writing roadmap and help you avoid veering too far off course as you put your ideas into words.

My second writing tip is for those who, like me, tend to get bogged down by self-doubt and perfectionism: start by simply getting words on the page. Set a timer for 15 or 20 minutes and just write. Then walk away. Have a cup of coffee or tea. When you come back, delete any unnecessary words, sentences, and paragraphs. What you'll be left with are ideas that you can build upon in a later draft and momentum to keep going.

Hello! My name is Talia. I have been writing from a young age, starting with short childhood stories and moving to academic texts. I received a Bachelor of Music History at Western University in Canada, where I was also Editor-in-Chief of Nota Bene: Canadian Undergraduate Journal of Musicology. I am very passionate about writing and editing, and I love helping writers express their unique perspectives in a way that encourages understanding and engagement. I am also a bit of a grammar nerd, probably thanks to my interest and studies in Latin!

Here is my quickest writing tip: never underestimate the power of a pre-first-draft outline! Starting a long paper feels much less overwhelming when you have a guide to remind yourself of what you are setting out to say. 

I am a research master’s student in media studies at the University of Amsterdam. Though I specialise in the humanities, I have worked professionally as an editor across diverse domains since 2017. Within academia, I am interested in the interpretative possibilities embedded in mainstream, heteronormative media. In the long term, I hope to address and pinpoint the existence of non-normative sexual and gender identities, woven as they are into the fabric of popular culture and media, particularly in the South Asian context, while continuing to build my career as an editor. My editorial work spans academic and non-academic texts, web content, and subject-matter assistance for professionals and aspiring students.

As a writer and editor, I find that the process of writing is inseparable from revision. As John Green says, "Give yourself permission to suck." Your first draft will rarely be perfect. Once you know what to say, it will be much easier to figure out how to say it.

I am originally from Wales but now live in the south of France with my wife and dog. After studying Theology (including a year in Israel) at university I headed off to teach English as a foreign language in South Korea. It was there that I met my wife. I returned to Britain and to university in Cardiff where I completed both a masters and PhD. in archaeology, graduating with the latter in 2010. Another couple of years in South Korea followed before we moved to France in 2012.

I adore reading, am an avid football (soccer) fan, and I am also trying to write a novel. 

Writing Tip: Keep it simple! When writing an essay, dissertation, or thesis it is important to use formal, academic language, but this does not mean you should try too hard to impress with unnecessarily long or difficult words. The subject being written about is often specialized and complex enough, do not make it more so. Using simple, straightforward language to explain your ideas and opinions will make it much easier for the reader to understand.

I am a native English speaker and an experienced editor and writer. I was born in London and live in the south of France, near Toulouse. I have been an academic for many years working with undergraduate, MA, and PhD students on their essays and theses. I have a BA and MPhil from Oxford University in English Language and Literature. I have an MA in Creative Writing and a PhD in Contemporary Curating and Critical Writing. Currently I am supervising PhD students with University of Westminster and teaching on MA Poetics of Imagination at Dartington Arts School. I was formerly senior lecturer/programme lead in art history and theory at Oxford Brookes University and Dartington College of Arts and guest professor at Bauhaus University, Weimar; Piet Zwart Institute, Rotterdam; Open University; and Saint Francis University (US) exchange program in France.

I enjoy working with language and texts, just as a sculptor enjoys working with stone or a painter with oils and watercolours. I write fiction and non-fiction. I have published five novels set in early medieval Europe, a collection of short future fiction, and books and essays on contemporary art. My novels have won and been short-listed for a number of prizes including Impress Prize, Rome Film Festival Book Initiative, Santander Research Award, Literature Wales Writers Bursary and Authors Foundation Award. I also write book reviews and author interviews for the Historical Novels Society.  When I’m not working, I’m playing with my grandsons, reading books, chatting and walking with family and friends. I am an avid swimmer and own a waterproof Kindle.

Tips for writing: Notice what your bad habits and repeat errors are in writing and make sure you read through your text to edit them out. For example, I use “that” too often. We all have little tics that are a kind of throat-clearing in writing. Keep an eye on incorrect apostrophes especially in its/it’s. If you are struggling with your sentences or the flow or coherence of your writing, read it aloud to yourself. Think about who your readers are, what they know and don’t know, to help you decide what you need to tell them, how to keep their interest. The best way to learn how to write is to read constantly. Read anything that interests you: English newspapers, magazines, blogs, novels and textbooks.

Hello! My name is Zac, and I am an editor based in California. I hold a Ph.D. in Counselor Education, so my academic background straddles education, psychology, and counseling. However, I am an interdisciplinary scholar passionate about integrating various fields' knowledge and expertise. I am an academic writer (although I do dabble in creative and fictional writing) and have collaborated with others in nursing, biomedical sciences, occupational therapy, business, and literature.

As an editor, I bring this same excited curiosity to my work--I love editing because of what it represents for you, the writer. You have important ideas to share with the world, and my job is to preserve these arguments and stories to help you communicate them to a larger audience. One tip for writers is to consider your modality as you write. If you feel stuck as you type at the computer, try making a change! Write on paper, speak into a recorder, or record a conversation where you explain your thoughts and main ideas to someone else. Switching your modality can help rest certain parts of your brain while activating others, ultimately allowing you to work around the stuck point.