Resources

21 top tips to make the most of your freelance copyeditor or proofreader. The UK Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) polled its community members to compile this list. The advice is based on years of experience and highlights important points to consider when hiring an editor.

Beyond copy-editing: the editor-writer relationship (Technical Editors’ Eyrie). Editing is often narrowly defined as making corrections after a document is written. However, a skilled and experienced editor takes on more responsibility and offers many benefits to the client. 

What's the difference between copyediting and proofreading? (NY Book Editors). A copyeditor focuses on both small details and the big picture, making sure that every element of your work is consistent, cohesive, and complete. Proofreading happens after editing to check for quality before publication. A proofreader may do light editing, but if too many errors are cited, the proofreader may return the proof for further copyediting.

What is substantive editing? (Technical Editors’ Eyrie). Both substantive editing and copyediting are essential but focus on different issues.

The scientific editor: an advocate for transparent research (Science Editor, 2023). This article describes the role of scientific editors, what they offer, and the difference between scientific editing and manuscript editing/copyediting.

Preparing a manuscript for submission to a medical journal (ICMJE, 2023). These recommendations outline best practices to help authors, editors, and others create and distribute accurate, clear, reproducible, unbiased medical journal articles. Many journals voluntarily use these recommendations.

Best practices in table design (Science Editor, 2021). Designing an effective table is more complicated than you might expect. 

Common mistakes in submitted images (AMA Style Insider, 2020). Here is a short list of common errors to watch out for when preparing figures. 

Essential guide to manuscript writing for academic dummies: an editor's perspective (2022). This article presents the basic organization and anatomy of a scientific manuscript and essential features. 

How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper (2022). This classic, practical book on how to write and publish a scientific paper takes its own advice to be as clear and simple as possible.

Writing a Scientific Manuscript (TEPHINET, 2020). This free course teaches the art of scientific writing to public health researchers. Topics include basic writing principles; how to write the introduction, methods and materials, results, and discussion sections of a manuscript; and how to write an abstract. The course is available in English, Spanish, and French.

Successful scientific writing and publishing: a step-by-step approach (CDC, 2018). This guidance helps authors working in public health to more efficiently publish the results of their work. 

The science of scientific writing (American Scientist, 2018). For a reader to grasp what the writer means, the writer must understand what the reader needs.

The Chicago Guide to Communicating Science (2017). This book addresses crucial issues in the changing landscape of scientific communication, focusing on writing for corporate settings, government, nonprofit organizations, and academia. 

How to write a scientific article (2012). 

Conscious Style Guide. This website aims to help writers and editors think critically about using language—including words, portrayals, framing, and representation—to empower instead of limit. It includes style guides covering terminology for various communities and articles debating usage. 

Global Press Style Guide. This resource offers clear guidance on problematic and often colonial vocabulary that commonly appears in international news stories. It is available in English, Spanish, and French.

ACS Inclusivity Style Guide (American Chemical Society). This style guide helps scientific and academic authors communicate in ways that recognize and respect diversity in all its forms. An abbreviated tip sheet is also available.

Current guidance on inclusive language for medical and science journals (Science Editor, 2022). Inclusive language guidelines from the AMA Manual of Style, a resource used by scientific authors, editors, and publishers worldwide. 

Inclusive Language Guide (American Psychological Association, 2021). These guidelines aim to raise awareness, guide learning, and support the use of culturally sensitive terms and phrases that center the voices and perspectives of those who are often marginalized or stereotyped. 

Advancing Health Equity: A Guide to Language, Narrative and Concepts (American Medical Association, 2021). This guide provides physicians, health care workers, and others a valuable foundational toolkit for health equity.

Disability Language Style Guide (National Center on Disability and Journalism, 2021). It is becoming increasingly difficult for communicators to figure out how to refer to people with disabilities. This style guide covers dozens of words and terms commonly used when referring to disability.

How we talk about public health and why it matters (PATH, 2020). Harmful power dynamics plague the public health sector. Better word choice is one small way communicators can help challenge them.

How (not) to write about global health (BMJ Global Health, 2020). Author Desmond T. Jumbam from Ghana presents brief guidelines on how (not) to write about global health.