Computer:Press any key. Homer: Aahh! Where’s the ‘any’ key? I can’t find the ‘any’ key!

MANUALS

 I was working on the proof of one of my poems all the morning, and took out a comma. In the afternoon I put it back again.  Oscar Wilde  Say all you have to say in the fewest possible words, or your reader will be sure to skip them; and in the plainest possible words or he will certainly misunderstand them.  John Ruskin  Substitute “damn” every time you’re inclined to write “very”; your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be.  Mark Twain

 Content is important, but the way a paper looks affects the way others judge it.  Avoid distracting the reader from the meaning.  Give yourself enough time to write the content and then to edit and proofread.  Establish a process that works for YOU. THE LOOK OF THE FINAL PRODUCT

 Know your editing and proofreading style:  Do you prefer to work on the computer or on a paper copy?  Do you need a quiet space?  Do you need to read it aloud?  Develop a list of the things you are looking for.  What are common mistakes that you do not want to miss?  Check for fragments.  Be sure subjects and verbs agree.  Check your pronouns. EDITING AND PROOFREADING

STYLE GUIDE

 People might not consciously notice it, but they'll feel like something is wrong if things aren't consistent from page to page.  Grammar Girl  The best way to make sure that nobody uses your style guide is to write it and then tell everyone else to obey it.  Intelligent Editing

 MLA Style Manual (think term papers) MLA  Chicago Manual of Style (again, academic papers) Chicago Manual of Style  Associated Press (AP) Stylebook (most journalists and PR groups use AP style, and it’s the one you’re probably most familiar with, whether you realize it or not!) Associated Press (AP) Stylebook  Wikipedia Wikipedia  The New York Times The New York Times  Apple Apple  Google Google EXAMPLES OF STYLE GUIDES

 Maintaining a writing style builds your brand.  Style guides provide standards so your writers can write.  Style sets the tone for consistency.

 Your style guide should make clear how authors present:  Headings (and how they are capitalized)  Lists (whether they are capitalized and how they are punctuated)  Numbers (when they should be spelled in full)  Rules for chapter, figure and table headings (including numbering)  Acronyms and abbreviations (when to use them/not use them)

 “We’re going on a trip to Germany, Switzerland, and France.”  “We’re going on a trip to Germany, Switzerland and France.” OXFORD COMMA DEBATE

 Don’t focus on your own preferences. Ignore your pet peeves.  Don’t make it too long or complicated. Focus on points of style where there is no right answer but where one usage is preferred by the organization. THINGS NOT TO DO