UNIT 5: ORGANIZATION, GENRES, & STYLE GUIDES Instructor: Stephanie Loomis Pappas

Agenda In tonight’s seminar, we will: Review upcoming assignments Learn about different style guides Develop a style guide for CM340 Discuss qualities of effective web writing

Unit 5 Homework Reading Read Castle’s article on style guides Read Technical Writing Chapters 5 and 13 Discussion Review Technical Writing Chapter 5 Write a memo to the class about your final project organization Current Events Exercise Locate an article on specialized form of writing Cite, summarize, reflect, and recommend

Style Guides Style Guide: Specific usage conventions for a relatively narrow group or type of publication Style Manual: General style guidelines for writers completing many different types of writing Style Sheet: List of formatting elements for a specific type of communication User Guide: Technical communication that helps users complete a process or use a product.

General Style Guides Key Features Grammar rules Punctuation rules Spelling rules Examples The Elements of Style: i/The_Elements_of_Style i/The_Elements_of_Style

Academic Style Guides Key Features Reference and in-text citation formats Manuscript formats Examples APA MLA AMA Bluebook IEEE: ments/ieeecitationref.pdf ments/ieeecitationref.pdf CSE

Publication Style Guides Key Features Guidelines for punctuation Guidelines for proper nouns Guidelines for abbreviations Examples AP Stylebook The Chicago Manual of Style The New York Times Manual of Style and Usage: i/The_New_York_Times_M anual_of_Style_and_Usage i/The_New_York_Times_M anual_of_Style_and_Usage

Organization Style Guides Key Features Preferred terms Rules for abbreviation Example Apple Publications Style Guide: /library/mac/documentatio n/UserExperience/Concept ual/APStyleGuide/APSG_20 09.pdf /library/mac/documentatio n/UserExperience/Concept ual/APStyleGuide/APSG_20 09.pdf

Sample Style Guide

KU Style Guide  Your professors’ suggestions

KU Style Guide  Your professors’ suggestions  Areas you would like to improve

KU Style Guide  Your professors’ suggestions  Areas you would like to improve  Concepts you learn from Grammar Girl and other resources

Writing for the Web “Before I commit to anything, I need to know about the inspiration underlying this seemingly casual, yet understatedly elegant, neighborhood pub. Were the owners seeking to strike a balance between contemporary American cuisine and authentic fare from their grandparents’ homeland? Are the owners three regular guys who were looking for a bar that served good food in a relaxed atmosphere with a world-class section of beers who decided to build it themselves? That guy who already has your hours, address, phone number, menu, and reservation policy memorized

Writing for the Web “I love your use of hard to read fonts and clashing colors because I came to this website to get a feast for the eyes, not for information to help me to satisfy my appetite.” Not even that one guy in the corner over there

Writing for the Web “Oh wow. This waiting for this amazing splash page to finish loading is making my mouth water with anticipation of dining at your restaurant!” Not a single person visiting your restaurant’s website

Writing for the Web “It was like the restaurant was reading my [expletive] mind when the website cleared up whether or not it was open for brunch on labor day last year.” Not a soul

Writing for the Web 1.Write clearly 2.Make important points stand out 3.Provide ease of accessibility 4.Proofread carefully 5.Maintain consistency Martinez, D., Peterson, T., Wells, C., Hannigan, C., & Stevenson, C. (2008). Kaplan technical writing: a resource for technical writers at all levels. New York: Kaplan Publishing.

QUESTIONS?  Stick around after seminar  me at  Post your Questions to “Course Questions”