How I work

I use specific editorial techniques I’ve put together during the 30 years I’ve been writing, editing and proofreading to make my clients’ content clearer and more direct. 

I replace ambiguity, repetition and jargon with simpler vocablulary wherever possible. Where technical terms are needed in a text I ensure these are clearly explained. 

I replace long, boring and confusing sentences with more concise versions, reviewing technical words and phrases and replacing those I can with more familiar ones. Wherever possible (and appropriate), I always prefer active writing over the overused and frequently frustrating passive style. 

I use shorter paragraphs as well as shorter sentences (known as ‘chunking’), as it's a well-known fact that text is much easier to remember when it’s presented in smaller ‘chunks’. 

I also use techniques to rewrite and restyle headings and lists so that they draw the eye to the most important elements of your content for your readers. And if a list (or an image or graphic) works better than a wordy paragraph, I’ll suggest one to communicate better.