I am a qualified proofreader and editor, with a passion for plain English. I work with organisations, including non-profit organisations, charitable foundations, think tanks and consultants.
Clear and easy to understand text
I make text clear and easy to read for its intended audience.
That might sound simple, but it isn’t!
I correct errors or inconsistencies in spelling, punctuation and grammar. But I also:
- reword text that is difficult to understand
- explain terms that readers might not know
- check that all necessary information is included, and unnecessary information deleted
- get rid of repetition
- check for consistency in spelling and language style
- check for consistency of headings, italics, bold text and capitals
- check for consistency in the content (names, dates, facts, events, timeline, titles, programmes, initiatives)
- suggest or make changes to the structure of the text to help readability, such as including headings or lists
- make sure the order of the text is logical
- check the data in tables against the narrative in the text
- check text against any illustrations and their captions
- consider if information would be better presented as infographics, graphs or charts
Plain-English editing
Many organisations ask their staff to use plain English or plain language. Few organisations achieve it.
I am trained in plain-English editing. In a plain-English edit the most important thing is making the text easy to read for its intended audience.
Plain English isn’t about dumbing down or having a list of words to avoid and exchange for shorter words. It is about using every aspect of your text so your reader can find what they need and can understand and use what they find.
Plain-English editing is tailored to your intended readers, whether that’s a CEO, a trustee, an academic, your colleagues or the public. Those readers have different needs, and the editing will reflect that, but they all gain from being able to understand information quickly and easily.
Rewriting text
Do you need a different version of a text? You might want:
- a version that is easier to understand
- a version for a different audience
- a shorter version
- an executive summary
- a version for publication
- a clear guidance document
I enjoy rewriting text to make it more useable. It can be important research or crucial guidance, but if people find it difficult to understand, it won’t make the difference you need it to make.
To sum up
a qualified editor and proofreader with a passion for plain English. I work with organisations, including non-profit organisations, charitable foundations, think tanks and consultants on any type of text.
I will do whatever is needed to make your text easy to understand for your readers. That includes proofreading, copyediting, plain-English editing, line editing, substantive editing, development editing or rewriting.
Don’t just take my word for it!
I approached over ten editors before deciding to work with Bev. What set her apart was that right from the start she understood what the text was trying to achieve, and who it was written for. Her work went far beyond correcting grammar or improving readability. She helped shape the voice and tone so that they would resonate better with the intended audience.
On a practical level, Bev was a pleasure to work with. She kept me updated with weekly progress emails throughout what was a substantial project, and she delivered the completed edit ten days ahead of schedule.
Bev genuinely cares about her work and takes pride in doing it well. That combination of professionalism, care and genuine engagement is rare, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her.
Bev was charged with proofreading and copyediting a research report of over a hundred pages, for which I was first author, prior to its publication by an external funding body. She was meticulous in this work, for example, in identifying inconsistencies and grammatical errors and generally improving the text, which was co-authored by two professors of education and two other senior researchers.
Bev added significant value to our report, more so than any other copyeditor of the many research reports I have authored in the last 25 years. I also appreciated that Bev explained all her suggested edits and checked that we were happy with them, and that she responded to messages promptly and clearly. I thoroughly enjoyed working with Bev and have no hesitation in recommending her to others.
Gatsby has used Bev’s services many times and the results have always been excellent. She quickly got up to speed with our house style and her attention to detail and intelligent, pragmatic approach has meant that our reports and briefing papers are now noticeably more readable and concise. Just as importantly, using a professional editor like Bev saves my team that most precious commodity, time. Bev has now become an integral part of our quality assurance regime.
Bev provided a thorough and prompt review of my report. She has exceptional attention to detail and identified errors which would otherwise have gone unnoticed. In particular, I welcomed Bev’s thoughtful feedback and helpful pointers to improve the report.
I am thrilled to share my experience working with Bev on a crucial project for the Association of Colleges (AoC). We engaged Bev’s exceptional expertise to meticulously review and proofread three sets of T Level Industry Placement guidance resources. This endeavour was part of our expansive contract with the Department of Education (DfE), aiming for publication on the government website dedicated to our post-16 education providers.
Our challenge was substantial: the resources were authored by three distinct individuals, resulting in variations in tone, voice, and writing style. Bev’s role encompassed the vital task of standardising these resources, ensuring a uniform voice and writing style, while making the content comprehensible to our intended audience. Each resource was divided into four sections, containing intricate information, spanning a substantial 34/35 pages for each set of resources.
The outcome of Bev’s involvement was nothing short of remarkable. She orchestrated a harmonious collection of resources, providing coherence across all three sets. What truly set her contribution apart was her adeptness at not only pointing out improvements but also offering valuable insights and suggestions to enhance the readability of the materials. Bev’s fresh perspective proved instrumental in refining and establishing a consistent model that resonated perfectly with our vision.
Working closely with Bev was a privilege for our team. Her collaboration was seamless, and her responsiveness to our queries was incredibly prompt. Bev’s professionalism shone through every interaction, as she demonstrated an exceptional grasp of her craft. Her input proved invaluable to us, leaving an indelible mark on the quality and impact of our resources.
In conclusion, I wholeheartedly endorse Bev as an exceptional professional. Her contribution exceeded our expectations, bringing order, consistency, and clarity to a project of immense importance. If you are seeking a dedicated expert who can not only elevate your materials but also work harmoniously with your team, Bev is undoubtedly the ideal choice. We are immensely grateful for her partnership and the remarkable outcomes she delivered for my team at the Association of Colleges.
Bev has proofed a few pieces of work for me. She is very thorough and efficient. Would recommend her services to any colleague or friend.
Bev Palmer
Based in UK
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