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PROFESSIONAL Editing

What is Editing?

Editing provides students with a review of papers submitted to the Writing Center. Complete or nearly complete drafts are edited using Track Changes and returned with corrections and suggestions. Editing is a great option for students who prefer written feedback and independent revision rather than a live conversation.

Cost

  • Master's-level students$20/hr

  • International students: Limited complimentary editing is available. Visit our International Students page.

  • Doctoral students: Visit our Doctoral page for more information.

  • DC Students: Students enrolled at our Washington, DC, campus should contact Dr. Carla Brown for editing.

Areas of Review

  • Formatting papers in APA Style or Turabian 

  • Correcting grammar and punctuation

  • Reviewing content and structure (e.g., is the order logical? Are headings needed?)

  • Identifying places that need further explanation or clearer organization

Levels of Editing Available

 

You may specify whether you prefer a focused or full edit of your paper when submitting editing requests. If no level of editing is specified, the editor will do a full edit.

 

  • Focused edit: Students may want to make sure they have followed APA Style or Turabian form correctly. Or perhaps they are more concerned about grammar and punctuation. These are examples of focused edits.

  • Full edit: A full edit involves a review of each of the items noted in Areas of Review. 

 

Additional Information

Read our FAQs for more information on what you can and cannot expect from us. We also strongly recommend that you download relevant writing resources to review and consult while writing your papers.

We edit résumés and cover letters for $20/hr.

Editing Versus Tutoring: What Is the Difference?

  • Editing provides a direct review of research papers which students submit to the Writing Center. The cost is $20/hr (eligible international students receive complimentary editing). Editing is available year round. 

 

  • Tutoring sessions (in person or over Zoom) are free for all students, up to five hours during fall and spring semesters only. Tutoring provides one-on-one instruction and feedback that students apply to their writing. Click here for more information and to sign up for a session.

HOW TO REQUEST EDITING

The cost is $20/hr for all regular students. International students, please click here for information on complimentary editing.

Please follow the steps below.

 

1. Allow enough time. 

  • For papers under 12 pages, email your request at least 48 hours (two business days) before you need the paper returned.

  • Papers of 13–20 pages require at least 72 hours (three business days).

  • Papers over 20 pages require additional lead time.

  • Requests are processed Monday–Friday during business hours; weekends and holidays do not count toward turnaround time, though your paper may be returned to you at any time.

2. Attach your paper in Word. Email your request to writingcenter@denverseminary.edu and attach your completed paper as a Microsoft Word document (.doc or .docx). We do not edit .pdfs or papers formatted in Pages or Google Docs. If you do not have Microsoft Office 365, please click here for instructions on how to download it.

3. Include the following in your email:

  • Your contact information

  • Your degree track

  • Course title and professor’s name

  • A brief summary of the assignment (attach an assignment sheet if available)

  • The amount of editing time you would like us to spend

  • The paper's total page length

  • The level of editing requested: focused or full

  • Your paper’s due date and time

  • The date you would like the edited paper returned

Planning Ahead

If your paper is not yet complete, you may reserve editing time by emailing the information above and letting us know approximately when the paper will arrive.

The designated editor will contact you to let you know that s/he will be working on your paper and will edit it using Word's Track Changes feature. Once completed, you will receive the paper back with an explanation of the edits. After you have worked with an editor (including the Coordinator), you may contact that editor directly in the future.  

Students are expected to pay editors through an agreed-upon method of sending payment (Venmo, PayPal, Cash App, Zelle, check, etc.).

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
MEET THE WRITING CENTER EDITORS

Jana Matthews  Coordinator & Editor

Before becoming the Writing Center Coordinator in 2013, Jana spent a decade in Washington, DC. She worked for NPR, a US congressman, and three federal departments as a White House political appointee. While with the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, she was a speaker, writer, and editor. She has edited doctoral and master’s theses and dissertations, graduate research papers, and public documents for Denver Seminary since 2012. Jana lives in Boulder County with her husband and daughter. She holds a BS from Taylor University, an MA from Denver Seminary, and is pursuing an MA Certificate in editing from the University of Chicago.

Mike Musselman

Tutor & Editor

Educated at Metropolitan State University of Denver (Denver, CO), Mike has invested most of his adult work life offering writing and editing services in a range of settings. Full-time work at two successive scientific trade publishing firms, over nearly 30 years, has been supplemented by freelance work, aiding writers of doctoral and masters theses, graduate and undergraduate papers, professional technical articles (providing editing and, occasionally, ghostwriting services) and full-length, nonfiction books. Before joining the Denver Seminary Writing Center staff in 2020, Mike offered editing and mentoring assistance to the seminary’s student body on an on-call basis.

Angela Riemer Editor

Angela has had the privilege of working with graduate-level students at Denver Seminary to strengthen their academic writing skills since 2015. She enjoys helping students feel less overwhelmed by the maze of writing rules and formatting guidelines—encouraging them to discover that they can write clearly, confidently, and well. Recently relocated back to Littleton, Angela is once again involved in geriatric care management, supporting older adults in living with vibrancy and dignity. In her spare time, she enjoys building miniatures, relaxing in her backyard, and, when the weather cooperates, riding with her husband on his motorcycle.

Kathy Passerine Editor

Kathy has worked as an editor with the Denver Seminary Writing Center since fall of 2020. With her background in English Education, she enjoyed teaching writing at the middle and high school levels and has welcomed opportunities to edit writing projects for friends and manuscripts for print/online publication for individuals in the pastoral and business communities. She has a critical eye for structuring and organizing content and ensuring grammatical accuracy. During her free time, you will find Kathy spending time with friends, working out at the gym, and savoring a new read.

CONTACT US

If you have any questions, please contact us.


Jana Matthews
Writing Center Coordinator

 writingcenter@denverseminary.edu

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Denver Seminary Student Life exists to see a gospel-formed community of learners equipped to participate in God's mission in the world. We do so by cultivating robust student engagement opportunities and offering proactive student care and resources that foster holistic formation and contribute to life long flourishing.

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