Grammarly vs Professional Editing: What's Best for Your Australian Thesis?

Dr James Wu · 2024-05-20 · 5 min read · Academic Writing

A comparison of automated editing tools and professional editing services for Australian postgraduate thesis submissions.

Introduction

When it comes to polishing your thesis, you have two main options: automated tools like Grammarly or professional editing services. Both have their place, but understanding their strengths and limitations will help you make the right choice for your Australian thesis submission.

Grammarly and Other AI Tools

What Grammarly Does Well

**Spelling and grammar:** Catches typos, subject-verb agreement errors, and common mistakes

**Punctuation:** Identifies missing commas, incorrect semicolons, and apostrophe errors

**Clarity suggestions:** Flags wordy sentences and passive voice

**Consistency:** Alerts you to inconsistent spelling

**Accessibility:** Available as a browser extension, desktop app, and Word plugin

What Grammarly Doesn't Do Well

**Academic conventions:** Doesn't understand discipline-specific writing norms

**Australian English:** Can default to American English; requires manual configuration

**Content quality:** Can't assess the quality of your argument, analysis, or evidence

**Referencing:** Doesn't check citation accuracy or formatting

**Structure:** Can't evaluate thesis structure, chapter organisation, or flow

**Nuance:** May flag appropriate hedging language as "weak" or academic phrasing as "complex"

**Context:** Doesn't understand that a long, complex sentence may be appropriate in academic writing

Other Automated Tools

**Writefull:** Designed specifically for academic writing; better than Grammarly for academic conventions

**ProWritingAid:** More detailed analysis but similar limitations

**Microsoft Editor:** Built into Word; basic but useful

**LanguageTool:** Free, open-source alternative

Professional Editing

What Professional Editors Do

According to the Institute of Professional Editors (IPEd) in Australia, professional editing includes:

**Copyediting:**

Grammar, spelling, and punctuation

Consistency of style and terminology

Australian English conventions

Sentence clarity and readability

Formatting and layout

**Substantive/Structural Editing:**

Thesis structure and organisation

Argument coherence and flow

Chapter transitions and signposting

Identification of gaps or redundancies

Feedback on academic voice and register

**Proofreading:**

Final check for errors after copyediting

Formatting consistency

Reference list accuracy

Page numbering and table of contents

What Professional Editors Don't Do (for Theses)

According to Australian university guidelines:

**Rewrite content** or generate new text

**Add academic analysis** or argumentation

**Conduct research** or add references

**Change the student's ideas** or voice

Editing should refine your expression, not replace your thinking.

Cost Comparison

| Service | Cost (AUD) | Turnaround |

|---------|-----------|-----------|

| Grammarly Premium | ~$180/year | Instant |

| Professional copyediting | $35–$65 per 1,000 words | 1–3 weeks |

| Substantive editing | $50–$90 per 1,000 words | 2–4 weeks |

| Proofreading | $25–$45 per 1,000 words | 1–2 weeks |

For a 80,000-word PhD thesis:

Grammarly: ~$180/year

Professional copyediting: $2,800–$5,200

Professional proofreading: $2,000–$3,600

When to Use Each

Use Grammarly (or similar tools) for:

Day-to-day writing and draft revision

Quick checks on emails and shorter documents

Catching obvious errors before sending drafts to your supervisor

Supplementing (not replacing) professional editing

Use Professional Editing for:

Your final thesis draft before submission

Journal article manuscripts before submission

Scholarship and grant applications

When English is your second language and you need language refinement

Best Approach: Use Both

1. Write your draft

2. Run Grammarly for basic error correction

3. Revise based on supervisor feedback

4. Engage a professional editor for the final version

5. Final proofread after editing changes are incorporated

Finding a Professional Editor in Australia

IPEd (Institute of Professional Editors)

The professional body for editors in Australia

Maintains a directory of accredited editors

Look for editors with experience in academic/thesis editing

University Recommendations

Many Graduate Research Schools maintain lists of approved editors

Check whether your university has specific guidelines about what editors can and cannot do

What to Look For

Experience with Australian university theses

Familiarity with your discipline

Knowledge of your citation style

Clear pricing and turnaround times

Sample edit available

Conclusion

Both automated tools and professional editing have their place in producing a polished thesis. Use tools like Grammarly throughout your writing process and invest in professional editing for your final submission. DissertlyPro's editors specialise in Australian thesis editing, combining linguistic expertise with academic knowledge to refine your work without changing your voice.