Ghostwords editorial
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Editing expert reports
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Complex cases can stand or fall on the reports of expert witnesses, but most experts are not particularly good writers. A report that contains all the necessary facts is of little value if the facts are buried in a rambling, poorly organized document; and even the facts themselves may be insufficient if the expert’s conclusions are not clearly laid out, in language that a jury (or a judge) can easily understand. Many expert reports need editing, but if you attempt to edit or clarify such a report yourself, you risk compromising admissibility, and how many editors would you trust to understand the legal implications of what they were editing? My speciality is making complex ideas clear to readers. In the legal arena, this means making expert witness reports comprehensible to juries, without compromising either impartiality or admissibility. For more information, or if you wish to talk to me about a specific report, email me at editor@ghostwords.org (mail and telephone contact information is at the bottom of this page). My company, Ghostwords, also offers a variety of other editorial, writing, and web design services, available from the panel at left. |
| Problem | Solution & qualifications |
| Poor writing | I have over twenty years of editorial experience. Backing up my own editing is the Ghostwords policy that every document edited here is given a final line edit by a second editor. |
| Clarity, focus, and comprehensibility | Organizing the report so that your
expert’s conclusions are clear and obvious, and his/her facts easy to
understand, all without prejudicing admissability, requires critical thinking
skills that very few people possess. My undergraduate education was a double major in English and Philosophy, and critical thinking is the foundation of philosophy. I can see through the verbiage and pull the important facts and conclusions into focus. |
| Presentation | All documents will be presented in a
clean, easy-to-read format, with pictures, charts, and illustrations integrated
as needed. Before switching to full-time writing and editing, I founded and ran a successful graphic design business in Vancouver. If something more than just words-on-paper is required, Ghostwords can provide it. |
| Scientific evidence | The marriage of science and law is not
always an easy one. Many expert reports draw conclusions based in science, but
juries are not composed of scientists. After completing my BA in English and Philosophy, and working for a couple of years (driving cab, of course. Isn’t that what a Philosophy degree is for?) I returned to school and took three years of undergrad science, largely biochemistry. I left before graduating, but I have a firm knowledge of science, as well as experience editing medical/surgical writing. |
| Legal background | I am not a lawyer, nor do I have any formal legal training. I firmly believe that this is an advantage — it puts me outside the adversarial system, and allows me to see problems as a juror would. |
| Rates | Variable, depending on the length and complexity of the job. All work will be done on the basis of a firm quotation. |
Contact us |
For further information, or to discuss a specific project, send us an email |
| Telephone | (604) 980-2608 |
| Ground address | Ghostwords Editorial Services 772 Edgewood Road North Vancouver, BC Canada V7R 1Y3 |