Grammar vigilante teaching others her tricks

Grammar vigilante and professional proofreader Margi Keys will be teaching people how to use punctuation in their written work. Photo/File

If you've ever struggled with commas, apostrophes and hyphens, Whanganui's own "grammar vigilante" can help.

Margi Keys is running a short course through the Community Education Course called FACH: Full Stops, Apostrophes, Commas and Hyphens, which begins in August.

Ms Keys said the course would be ideal for people who had to write but were not confident in their writing.

"You may have been criticised for your writing. Maybe you just don't understand the rules of punctuation, or have dyslexia or learning difficulties.

"I want to help people write better - but I make it fun. I never tell people they've made a mistake. They just need a bit of help," she said.

Ms Keys is a former school teacher. She now works as a professional proofreader, working mostly with academics who don't have English as a first language.

She came up with the idea for the course in the wake of media publicity around her Grammar Vigilante campaign.

Armed with chalk, duster and a permanent marker, Ms Keys corrects the spelling, punctuation and grammar on public signs. She has since started up a Grammar Vigilantes of Aotearoa group - the Facebook group has more than 160 members.

Ms Keys said the Whanganui branch has just had its first meeting. The next one will be held at 9.30am on July 15 at Breakers - all are welcome.

FACH starts on August 16 and runs for three consecutive Wednesday evenings. To register for the course please contact CES on (06) 345 4717.