Judge: Best Plain Language Sentence Transformation

Copywriter, Farm Focus, Masterton, New Zealand

A love of language passed down on the land

I grew up on a farm in rural Wairarapa, New Zealand. My sisters and I spent endless hours riding our horses around the farm, mustering sheep and cattle, with Dad as our faithful guide. And Dad loved words and language, a love that he shared in the many hours we spent with him. That’s more than likely where my love of language was born.

Discovering the benefits of plain language

After several years working in the communications industry, in 2014 I had the great fortune of securing a role as a plain language consultant at Write Limited in Wellington. Through this role, I developed a solid understanding of plain language and its benefits for Write’s clients. And indeed for everyday people everywhere. The more I learned about plain language, the more I was blown away by its benefits. Plain language can certainly change lives: I witnessed that regularly at Write and through the Plain Language Awards.

Life moves in circles

After 7 years at Write, including several years as coordinator and then project manager of the Plain Language Awards, I moved into a copywriting contract for the global accounting company, Xero. With that contract now finished, I’ve taken on a role as copywriter for financial management and planning software company, Farm Focus, back in my home town of Masterton. My first ever writing job was as an agricultural reporter in Masterton: I’m thrilled to be back in the rural sector and back in Wairarapa.

I’m honoured to be joining the judging panel for the 2022 Plain Language Awards.

Read Melissa’s blog on creating well-written sentences

Meet the judges for the Plain Language Awards

How the judging process works