Exam Success

Congratulations to Natalie, our media and communications manager who has just completed a course on editing and proofreading gaining a Distinction.

"With my background in copywriting, I thought I might find the course straightforward," Natalie explains. "However, I was surprised at how much I had to learn, not least the many considerations when writing for a global audience. There are many factors to consider when producing copy for those whose first or even second language is not necessarily English. This is all very relevant for us at the Trust. Modules took us students back to basics in some respects, helping to eliminate preconceptions and addressing 'bad' writing habits that we may have inadvertently collected over the years. I learnt a lot."

Modules included

• Applying editorial style
• Spelling and grammar
• Proofreading on-screen
• Copy editing 
• Use of language (including language in a global setting)
• Checking accuracy and facts
• Legal checks
• Proofreading on paper
• Special purpose editing

As the Trust transitions to producing more in-house publications and online digital resources, these skills will be extremely useful in helping us to produce high-quality materials, pitched to the needs of a developing world readership.

A particular focus at present is the adaptation of resources to web pages for reading on Smartphones. Whilst only a minority of pastors in the developing world have a computer or laptop, and still less a printer, many do have a smartphone. Browser-based resources (webpages) take up less memory, and they can be easily and cheaply downloaded and will reformat for easy reading when the phone is simply rotated to landscape view.

So well done Natalie and thanks for all you do.

Chris Moffett, Trust Director