“On matters of style, swim with the current, on matters of principle, stand like a rock.” Thomas Jefferson
Though Thomas Jefferson had a knack for expressing ideas applicable over many circumstances, he probably was not thinking of style guides for writers when he came up with this quote. But it suits. By following his suggestions, writers burnish their work till it gleams. Readers are less likely to be confused or slowed down as they move through a piece, whether it’s an academic paper, a non-profit grant application, a short story, or a blog post.
The first step to swimming with the current is to understand what a writing style guide is. A writing style guide is a set of standards for the writing and design of a document. A style guide covers the meat and bones of writing. Writers who use a style guide will be less likely to have variations in spelling, punctuation, and format within one work. Typical areas covered by a guide include spelling choices, punctuation practices, citation formats, and capitalization. There are writing styles like Hemingway’s paucity of words and Faulkner’s abundance of them, but a style guide is not about those characteristics. Following a style guide requires more diligence and accuracy than talent. Writing style guides help a writer decide if “3am” would be a better choice than “three in the morning” and other such plebian decisions which can slow progress.
As I sit here at my desktop, I’m less than two feet away from my thick Chicago Manual of Style and my thin AP Style booklet. Somewhere in this room is a three-inch ring binder from a federal contractor giving detailed instruction for technical writing in science grants. Other style guides are online. Style is no more static than hemlines as the world moves on. The Chicago Manual of Style has had about seventeen editions. I threw out my old one as it pre-dated standard references to online sources.
Required style guides
Any writer — and that includes those who write as a part of their career, but don’t consider themselves writers — will benefit from having a “go to” style guide. Organizations, including private entities and government agencies, have developed their own unique style (house or corporate) guides. In some cases, adherence to a style guide will be required as part of employment. Or, if not absolutely required, will enhance acceptance of a work. For example, failure to follow the correct academic style might imperil graduate publication. Submission requirements for fiction may include a requirement to follow specific style guides.
Basic Style Guides
How to choose? Most writers will be able to get along using one of two popular guides: The Chicago Manual of Style or AP Style. The Chicago Manual of Style, used for academic, commercial, and fiction writing, is the most popular. Available in multiple modalities, it gives clear, detailed references. AP Style, the house guide for the Associated Press, is preferred by journalists and suitable for bloggers and content writers. Usually, a publication will inform writers of any preference. Employers, especially government agencies and large corporations, will often have a unique style guide.
Special style guides
Special style guides can offer additional help for sensitive questions or situations. For example, the Diversity Style Guide is designed to help journalists and media professionals communicate accurately and with sensitivity in our multicultural and diverse world. Gender, race, ethnicity, religion, drugs, alcohol, immigration, and geography are all discussed on the site. Browsing through the site is revelatory.
Custom-made style guides
Unique style guides may also be created to meet one-off needs. My book The Indenture of Ivy O’Neill is the story of a girl who grows up in the late 1600s in Ireland, then finds herself in colonial Maryland. Realizing the potential for an international audience, I was happy to have it published in Australia by AIA Publishing. My copy editor was a South African living in Ecuador and my proofreader was a Bulgarian-born editor living in Malta. As you can imagine, decisions had to be made. Kerb or curb? Colour or color? The copy editor created and shared a nine-page style guide with references. The guide covers language preferences, big-picture elements (world-building rules, point-of-view), formatting and layout, main character names and key features, and spelling preferences.
Style guides can make a writer’s life easier. Style guides can keep writing fresh and up to date, increase the writer’s credibility, and save time. More importantly, it can enhance the reader’s experience, make writing clearer, and promote accurate communication.
The Indenture of Ivy O’Neill excerpt
Winter begrudgingly gave up its grasp. March’s false spring, a few balmy days which teased early buds to swell, collapsed under heavy snows. Spring dragged its feet…riotous frog song broke through the silence of winter to herald spring’s tardy arrival.
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I’m pleased to announce my debut historical fiction novel is available for pre-order through major book sellers and select independent bookstores. It will be released June 3, 2022.