Sophia
Burton

Qualifications

Postgraduate Certificate in Editing – Whitireia NZ
Bachelor of Arts (English Literature) – Victoria University of Wellington

Professional profile

Sophia is an English language technician; as an editor she supports writers to communicate effectively, and as a writer she collaborates with subject matter experts to draft new content.

Prior to joining CORE, Sophia was a busy freelance writer and editor. She has collaborated on an eclectic variety of writing and learning design projects across the public and private sectors, and for tertiary institutions.

Skills and expertise

• Writing
• Ghost writing
• Structural editing
• Line editing to honour the voice of the author
• Editing for clarity and plain English
• Grammar for English
• Copyediting and proofreading
• Fact checking, and checking the use and context of quotes and citations.

Personal statement

I love the fluidity and endlessly allusive nature of language.

My motivation is to advocate for clarity for the reader, and support writers to ensure that their chosen words and phrases gracefully communicate their message and align with the kaupapa of the work. I am always aware of the need to leave unconscious biases and agendas out of my editorial approach.

I work in English on English medium writing; however, I seek to enhance the mana of te reo Māori when it is present in English medium content by carefully considering how we use grammar and punctuation. Here is an example; the differing connotations of the phrases Aotearoa New Zealand, Aotearoa / New Zealand, and New Zealand (Aotearoa) illustrate how punctuation frames the relationship between the two languages.

I live in Ngākuru, south west of Rotorua, and when I am not working I like diving into spaces that transcend words – lakes and hot pools. I have two school-aged daughters, and I grew up in a big family in Manawatū.