Andrea H
Cape Town, South Africa
“Write to communicate.”
Specialist subjects:
Education:
BA in Humanities
Cape Town University
1993–1995
Favorite referencing style
I have experience with the Harvard style from my own studies, but I find APA to be the simplest and most logical to use.
Why I became an editor
I have spent over 20 enjoyable years working in the education sphere and helping teenagers to navigate their studies. Proofreading seems like the next natural step, as I am able to combine my love of writing, reading, and assisting others to communicate effectively.
Background and experience
I’ve been working with teenagers since 1999 with a focus on English, History, and study skills (in South Africa and the UK). For the last 15 years, I’ve specialized as an Academic Skills Coordinator, assisting those with learning difficulties to navigate high school. At the beginning of 2020, I branched out into content creation, working on marketing blogs for various South African companies. I’ve also assisted with script clearance (legal proofreading) for local film productions.
Why I love proofreading and editing
I enjoy helping others to communicate effectively by ensuring clarity of ideas and information. I find reading about different topics to be very interesting, as I love learning new things. Editing and proofreading is a fun way to put my English degree and teaching experience to good use.
Favorite book:
Life After Life by Kate Atkinson (for the moment!)
Hobbies:
I am happiest out walking in nature, doing yoga, drinking good coffee, and spending time with my husband, daughter, and our Jack Russell named Harley.
Editing tips:
It is useful to know for whom the piece is written (the intended audience), as this impacts the tone, style, diction, and register.