Paul C
England, United Kingdom
“When it comes to the accuracy, clarity, fluency and presentation of a text, the pursuit of excellence is always worth the effort.”
Specialist subjects:
Editing formats:
Education:
BA in Educational Studies, with Music and French
University of Exeter
1993–1997
Favorite referencing style
During my own academic past, I have always used Harvard referencing, so it would be easy to answer that; but I have to say that during my proofreading training, I particularly enjoyed working in APA.
Why I became an editor
I have always been passionate about three things: music, language and education. My 23-year teaching career happily combined all three. All of my jobs involved elements of proofreading, most notably my role as headteacher. I found myself responsible for fine-tuning everything from newsletters and web copy to pupil reports, appraisal statements and even the school calendar. I soon discovered that, blessed with an instinctively pedantic nature and a little splash of OCD, I loved such work.
Background and experience
My fascination with the structure of language came with studying several foreign languages. Making connections between what I was learning and my native language helped me develop a significantly better understanding of English grammar. Skimming a French language workbook for six-year-olds, I was surprised to discover references to tenses, antonyms and articles, and I was determined to develop my knowledge of grammar and punctuation. My ability to proofread and edit was changed forever.
Why I love proofreading and editing
I love the satisfaction of seeing the amended text emerge. Reading the finished copy with increased accuracy, fluency and clarity is unrivalled. I have always enjoyed receiving feedback on my own writing and hope to share a little of the joy you feel when you see the subtle changes and edits that ameliorate your work. I have a professional and personal interest in editing anything on education, music and, more broadly, the arts. My experience also covers promotional materials and web copy.
Favorite book:
‘The Book of Dave’ by Will Self.
Hobbies:
I am happiest when gin and good food are involved!
Editing tips:
It is imperative to get a sense of the document's shape and content before making any edits. After that, never underestimate how many times you need to read through carefully to catch everything.
