12.2 Working with style guides
6 min read•july 30, 2024
Style guides are the unsung heroes of magazine editing. They keep your content looking sharp and consistent, like a well-tailored suit for your words. From AP to Chicago, these guides set the rules for everything from punctuation to formatting.
Creating your own style guide? It's like crafting a custom recipe for your magazine's voice. Mix in some standard rules, add a dash of your unique flair, and voila! You've got a roadmap to keep your content on brand and on point.
Style Guides for Magazine Editing
Purpose and Benefits
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Unit 13: Standard Business Style – Communication at Work View original
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Top images from around the web for Purpose and Benefits
Style overview: Understanding the differences between AP and Chicago style - Journalist's Resource View original
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Need to KNOW View original
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Unit 13: Standard Business Style – Communication at Work View original
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Style overview: Understanding the differences between AP and Chicago style - Journalist's Resource View original
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- Standardize rules for writing, formatting, and presenting content consistently across a publication
- Ensure clarity, professionalism, and coherence in written communication enhances overall quality and readability of magazine content
- Establish and maintain a publication's unique voice and brand identity creates a cohesive experience for readers
- Streamline editing process by providing clear guidelines for writers and editors reduces need for extensive revisions and discussions about style choices
- Improve credibility and authority of a magazine by demonstrating attention to detail and adherence to industry standards
- Facilitate collaboration among writers, editors, and designers by providing a shared reference point for editorial decisions
- Improve search engine optimization (SEO) by ensuring consistent use of keywords, formatting, and metadata across a publication's digital content
- Consistent use of keywords helps search engines understand content themes
- Proper formatting of headings and metadata improves crawlability and indexing
- Standardized metadata practices enhance visibility in search results
Impact on Editorial Workflow
- Reduce time spent on individual style decisions allows editors to focus on content quality
- Minimize conflicts and debates over style choices among team members
- Provide clear guidelines for freelance contributors ensures consistency across diverse writing styles
- Simplify onboarding process for new editorial staff by offering a comprehensive reference
- Enable efficient proofreading and copy editing by establishing clear benchmarks for correctness
- Facilitate smoother transitions between different stages of production (writing, editing, design)
- Support cross-platform consistency between print and digital content
Common Style Guides
Associated Press (AP) Stylebook
- Widely used in journalism and magazine writing focuses on concise, clear language
- Provides up-to-date guidelines for digital and print media
- Emphasizes brevity and accessibility using abbreviations, numerals, and simplified punctuation rules
- Suited for fast-paced news environments and online publishing
- Regular updates reflect changes in language usage and current events
- Example: Recent updates include guidance on COVID-19 terminology and gender-neutral language
- Offers specialized sections for various topics (sports, business, food)
- Example: Provides guidelines for reporting election results and political terms
Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS)
- Comprehensive guide often used in book publishing and academic writing
- Offers detailed guidelines for citation, formatting, and grammar
- Provides in-depth coverage of editorial practices including extensive citation formats for various source types
- Includes detailed explanations of grammar and usage rules
- Regular updates reflect changes in language, technology, and societal norms
- Example: Recent editions address citing social media sources and using gender-inclusive language
- Offers two citation systems: notes and system and author-date system
- Notes and bibliography: Commonly used in humanities (history, literature)
- Author-date: Preferred in sciences and social sciences
Comparison and Adaptation
- AP Style emphasizes brevity while CMOS provides more comprehensive coverage
- Familiarity with both allows editors to adapt to different publication requirements and target audiences
- Some magazines may prefer one style over the other or use a hybrid approach
- Example: A science magazine might use CMOS for citations but adopt AP Style for general writing guidelines
- Understanding differences between major style guides helps editors make informed decisions when creating guides
- Editors must stay current with new editions and online updates of both guides
- offers an online subscription with real-time updates
- CMOS provides an online forum for addressing style questions between edition releases
Consistent Style Application
Attention to Detail
- Apply style guide rules to capitalization, abbreviations, numerals, and punctuation throughout entire publication
- Check for proper formatting of dates, times, measurements, and other standardized elements across all articles and sections
- Example: Consistently using "Sept. 11, 2001" instead of "September 11th, 2001" in AP Style
- Maintain consistency in treatment of proper nouns, titles, and brand names to ensure professionalism and avoid legal issues
- Example: Correctly capitalizing trademarked names (iPhone, not iphone)
- Apply style guide rules to main body of articles and supplementary elements (captions, pull quotes, sidebars, infographics)
- Ensure consistency in formatting and style across all content types
Terminology and Language Use
- Ensure consistent use of terminology, especially industry-specific jargon or technical terms, as defined by style guide or house style
- Example: Deciding whether to use "email" or "e-mail" consistently throughout the publication
- Pay attention to preferred spellings and hyphenation of compound words
- Example: Using "health care" (two words) in AP Style but "healthcare" (one word) in some house styles
- Maintain consistency in use of Oxford comma (or lack thereof) based on chosen style guide
- Apply style rules to digital platforms ensuring online content, social media posts, and newsletters align with print publication's style
- Example: Using consistent hashtags and abbreviations across all social media channels
Training and Enforcement
- Ensure all writers and contributors adhere to chosen style guide which may involve providing training or style sheets to freelance writers
- Develop a system for communicating style updates and changes to entire editorial team
- Implement a review process to catch and correct style inconsistencies before publication
- Use style-checking software or plugins to assist in maintaining consistency across large volumes of content
- Regularly audit published content for style compliance and use findings to improve future adherence
Creating a Style Guide
Analysis and Development
- Analyze target audience, subject matter, and tone of magazine to develop guidelines aligning with publication's goals and brand identity
- Identify areas where existing style guides fall short or conflict with magazine's needs and develop specific rules to address these gaps
- Example: Creating guidelines for reviewing products or services if not adequately covered by standard style guides
- Select relevant elements from established guides (AP or CMOS) and modify them to suit publication's unique requirements and preferences
- Example: Adopting AP Style's date formatting but using CMOS's citation style for longer articles
- Collaborate with various stakeholders including writers, designers, and marketing teams to ensure comprehensive coverage of all aspects of publication
- Gather input on common style issues and preferences from different departments
Content and Structure
- Include sections on grammar, punctuation, formatting, terminology, and visual elements specific to magazine's content and design
- Grammar: Rules for sentence structure, verb tense, and agreement
- Punctuation: Guidelines for using commas, semicolons, and other punctuation marks
- Formatting: Standards for headings, , and body text
- Terminology: Glossary of industry-specific terms and preferred usage
- Visual elements: Guidelines for image captions, pull quotes, and sidebars
- Develop clear, concise, and easily accessible style guide documentation crucial for ensuring adoption and consistent application across editorial team
- Create a searchable digital version of the style guide for quick reference
- Consider developing a quick-reference cheat sheet for common style issues
Maintenance and Updates
- Establish system for updating and maintaining style guide including regular reviews and process for incorporating feedback from users
- Schedule quarterly reviews to assess effectiveness and relevance of current guidelines
- Create a feedback mechanism for team members to suggest additions or changes
- Develop a versioning system to track changes and ensure all team members are using the most up-to-date guidelines
- Plan for periodic comprehensive revisions to address major shifts in language usage or publication focus
- Communicate updates clearly to all stakeholders and provide training on significant changes
- Consider creating a style committee to oversee ongoing development and maintenance of the guide
Key Terms to Review (17)
Active voice: Active voice is a grammatical structure where the subject of the sentence performs the action rather than receiving it. This style makes sentences clearer and more engaging, helping readers understand complex information quickly. It is often preferred in persuasive writing, as it can create a stronger connection with the audience and encourage action.
AP Stylebook: The AP Stylebook is a widely used reference guide that provides rules and guidelines for writing and editing in journalism, particularly for news and current affairs publications. It covers everything from grammar and punctuation to word usage and formatting, ensuring consistency and clarity in news writing. Following the AP Stylebook helps journalists maintain a professional standard in their work and ensures that their articles are easily understood by readers.
Bibliography: A bibliography is a systematic list of sources that have been referenced or consulted in the process of creating a work, typically found at the end of a document. This list can include books, articles, websites, and other forms of media that were used to support the content. A well-structured bibliography is crucial for acknowledging the contributions of other authors and providing readers with resources for further reading.
Chicago Manual of Style: The Chicago Manual of Style is a widely used style guide that provides rules and guidelines for writing, editing, and publishing, particularly in the fields of history, literature, and the arts. It covers aspects such as citation formats, manuscript preparation, grammar, and punctuation, making it essential for writers and editors aiming for consistency and clarity in their work.
Comma usage: Comma usage refers to the application of commas in writing to clarify meaning, indicate pauses, and separate elements within a sentence. Proper comma placement is essential for enhancing readability and ensuring the intended message is conveyed accurately. Different style guides may have specific rules regarding comma usage, making it crucial for writers to adhere to these standards when crafting their pieces.
Dash vs. hyphen: A dash is a punctuation mark used to create emphasis, indicate a break in thought, or set off information, while a hyphen connects words or parts of words, such as in compound adjectives or to split a word at the end of a line. Understanding the distinction between these two punctuation marks is crucial for clear and effective writing, particularly in the context of adhering to style guides that dictate their appropriate use.
Editorial style: Editorial style refers to the consistent set of rules and guidelines that govern how content is presented in publications. It encompasses everything from grammar and punctuation to formatting and tone, ensuring that a publication maintains a cohesive voice and aesthetic. By adhering to a specific editorial style, writers can create clear and engaging content that resonates with their target audience.
Font choice: Font choice refers to the selection of typefaces used in written content, which significantly impacts readability, visual appeal, and the overall tone of the piece. It plays a crucial role in establishing a publication's brand identity and influencing how readers perceive the information. Choosing the right font is essential for maintaining consistency with style guides and collaborating effectively with art directors and designers.
Headlines: Headlines are brief and compelling phrases that summarize the content of an article, aiming to capture the reader's attention and encourage them to read further. They are crucial in both print and digital media, serving as the first point of engagement for readers and playing a significant role in effective copy editing and adherence to style guides.
House style: House style refers to the specific set of guidelines that dictate how a publication presents its written content, including elements like grammar, punctuation, formatting, and overall tone. These guidelines help ensure consistency and coherence across all published materials, creating a recognizable voice and brand identity for the publication. Adhering to house style is crucial for maintaining professionalism and clarity in communication.
In-text citation: In-text citation is a method used to give credit to the original source of information or ideas within a written work. It serves to enhance the credibility of the writing by allowing readers to verify sources, and it adheres to specific formatting rules defined by various style guides.
Leading: Leading refers to the vertical spacing between lines of text, which significantly influences readability and overall aesthetic in written content. It is crucial in guiding the reader's eye and enhancing their engagement with the material. Proper leading not only affects how comfortably text can be read but also plays a role in how visual elements interact with text, making it essential for effective design and layout in various formats.
Semicolon usage: Semicolon usage refers to the correct application of semicolons, which are punctuation marks used to connect closely related independent clauses or to separate items in a complex list. Understanding how to use semicolons effectively can enhance clarity and flow in writing, making it easier for readers to grasp complex ideas without confusion.
Subheadings: Subheadings are titles or phrases used to break up sections of text within an article, helping to organize content and guide the reader through the material. They provide a visual hierarchy and clarify the structure of the piece, making it easier for readers to find specific information and understand the flow of ideas.
Subject-verb agreement: Subject-verb agreement refers to the grammatical rule that the subject of a sentence must match the verb in number and person. This means that singular subjects take singular verbs, while plural subjects take plural verbs. Correct subject-verb agreement is crucial for clarity and coherence in writing, especially in copy editing, where precision is key, and adherence to established style guides helps maintain consistency across publications.
White space: White space refers to the unprinted areas on a page that are left blank intentionally, which can significantly enhance the readability and visual appeal of a magazine. It plays a crucial role in magazine writing and design by allowing the content to breathe, guiding the reader's eye, and creating a balanced layout that emphasizes key elements without overwhelming the audience.
Word economy: Word economy refers to the practice of using the fewest words necessary to convey a message effectively. This concept emphasizes clarity and brevity, ensuring that every word contributes to the overall meaning without unnecessary fluff. It’s essential for writers to master word economy in order to maintain reader engagement and improve the overall quality of their writing.