You Spelled it Right, But You Said it Wrong

by Kenya Hobbs - Date: 2006-12-16 - Word Count: 317 Share This!

There's more to editing than owning a red pen or being able to point your mouse and click on "spell check". While spell check is a useful tool, it is no substitute for having the trained eye of an editor to point out those occasions when you've correctly spelled everything, but used the wrong word. When you use words out of context, your message will be confusing and unclear.

Here's the problem. As helpful as basic software is to us, we can ill afford to be lulled to sleep by its ease of use. We have to remember that software operates off of very fixed rules and formatting procedures, and if there are no glaring inaccuracies, errors can often slip under the radar.

Here are two examples to illuminate my point.

"Stationary" means to be still or motionless; while "stationery" refers to paper, envelopes, letterheads and things we use to write with, such as pens.

"Compliment" means to praise or flatter, while "complement," means to balance or add to something.

Think about other examples of common mistakes:

-You type "form" instead of "from"
-You type "your" instead of "you're"
-You type "an" instead of "and"

The list goes on and on. These simple mistakes can be very costly when they alter the message your ministry is trying to put forth to its audience. A good editor will meticulously comb over your words to ensure that they are both grammatically and contextually accurate. At Hobbs Ministries, our editors study your ministry's website copy, direct mail letters, articles and other text-based documents to ensure their accuracy and effectiveness.

Remember, there is a major difference between spelling the words right and crafting the right message. We go beyond accuracy, to assist you in presenting a highly effective message that will help advance the cause of Christ. We are here to help you "say what you mean and mean what you say."

Related Tags: content, copy, christian copywriting, ministry writing, website copy

Kenya Hobbs is President of Hobbs Ministries, a Christian Copywriting and PR Firm. The company helps ministries to develop, enhance, and maximize the potential of their marketing materials by leveraging the creative power of words. To learn more, visit http://www.hobbsministries.com

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