Have you ever been pulled out of a book because of a sentence that didn’t seem right? Maybe there was inconsistent spelling or confusing punctuation. Minor errors like these can distract readers no matter how compelling a book is. That’s where a style guide can come in handy. But is using one necessary for your manuscript?
Let’s look at what a style guide is and why following one could benefit your writing.
What Is a Style Guide?
A style guide is a reference tool that provides standardized rules for writing, ensuring consistency across a manuscript. It covers aspects like grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Some common style guides include the Associated Press (AP) Stylebook and the Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS).
Different industries rely on different style guides. Journalism typically uses the AP Stylebook, while academic disciplines often use the Modern Language Association (MLA) Handbook or American Psychological Association (APA) Publication Manual, depending on the field.
Book publishing frequently uses the Chicago Manual of Style. The Chicago Manual offers flexibility for various types of manuscripts and can be adapted for different genres and formats, making it a popular choice among publishers.
Many rules of spelling, grammar, and punctuation remain the same regardless of what style guide you’re using, but there are some differences. An example of this is the use of the Oxford comma, or serial comma. The Chicago Manual of Style recommends placing a comma before the final “and” or “or” in a list (e.g., “apples, oranges, and bananas”). The AP Stylebook advises against using this comma in simple lists, resulting in the list reading as “apples, oranges and bananas.”
Purpose of a Style Guide
All style guides serve a similar purpose: to ensure clarity and consistency.
Clarity means presenting information in a way that readers easily understand. A style guide provides clear guidelines on grammar, punctuation, and formatting, helping prevent ambiguity and ensure that the content is clearly written.
Consistency involves applying the same rules throughout your manuscript, whether it’s formatting or language use. For example, if you use the word “canceled” in one paragraph, you won’t want to spell it “cancelled” in another. Uniformity in these aspects prevents confusion and ensures that readers are not distracted by inconsistencies, allowing them to focus on the content.
Additionally, following a style guide enhances professionalism by ensuring that your work meets established standards. It makes the editing process more efficient since you are on the same page as your editor. Style guides can also help you maintain compliance with publishing standards, which can be crucial for meeting specific expectations.
Most importantly, style guides can improve the experience for your readers, contributing to a more engaging and accessible read.
How to Use a Style Guide
Using a style guide effectively is more straightforward than it may seem.
To get started, familiarize yourself with your chosen style guide. You can read the whole manual or review key sections and rules that are most relevant to your writing. Knowing these will help during the writing and editing process.
Create a reference sheet with some of the most common guidelines to quickly look them up while writing. You can also use this reference sheet to keep track of any terms that are unique to your manuscript, to ensure the terms are written consistently throughout.
Work with a book editor to ensure your manuscript consistently follows your chosen style guide. An editor can provide an expert set of eyes, ensuring your book meets any required standards. They’ll also provide valuable feedback on improving your overall manuscript.
In fact, if you choose to hire an editor, there’s really no need for you to spend much time stressing about following a style guide yourself. Your editor will handle that for you, so you can just focus on writing.
