Maureen F

Buckinghamshire, England

“Words are the gateway to an exciting new world.”

Specialist subjects:

Classics & Ancient History Creative Writing Cultural Studies Education English Fiction History Language & Literature Medieval & Modern Languages TESOL

Editing formats:

Education:

BA Hons in Modern Languages and Classical Greek

Open University

2011–2017

Favorite referencing style

I would have to say Harvard is my favorite style, as that’s where I’ve gained the majority of my experience. However, I am also fond of APA, which was used in the final tests of the Becoming A Proofreader course.

Why I became an editor

I spent 10 years working abroad in Athens, Greece, as a private English tutor. From complete beginners to teenagers needing to pass English entrance exams, it always thrilled me to watch my students grow in confidence when using English. Eventually, I took on a Modern Languages degree, as I wanted to explore the multicultural facets of language. My love of Greece encouraged me to choose an optional module on Classical Greek: Language and Literature.

Background and experience

Aside from 10 years in Greece teaching TEFL, I’ve worked as a tutor helping British students in school subjects, such as English, French, and History. I also teach Modern Greek for beginners. Proofreading happens to be a vital part of tutoring. Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are key components in all aspects of written work. I have also done a vast amount of other proofreading work.

Why I love proofreading and editing

I love taking a piece of written work and making it the best it can possibly be. It’s a thrill to enhance what’s on the page: trying to give it that extra slice of flair and finesse while sticking to the author's original meaning. When working on my own degree, I gained experience with Harvard referencing. That helped to make other referencing systems less intimidating. The differences between US and UK English intrigue me.

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Favorite book:

I love modern novels, such as Captain Corelli's Mandolin and A Thousand Splendid Suns, and classics like Jane Eyre and Sense and Sensibility. However, my favorite is The Lord of the Rings by Tolkien.

Hobbies:

I’m a huge tennis fan. I follow the tour on TV and attend events when I can. I love to write stories and eat cake! I’m addicted to Turkish TV dramas, and I enjoy trying to learn new languages.

Editing tips:

It helps me to read the entire document first, then check for errors. It takes several readings. For the final check, I ensure I haven’t introduced any errors and the author's meaning is preserved.

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