What is a Style Guide?

A style guide is a set of rules as defined by an organization like a magazine, business or even an industry. A style guide sets out to determine which rules not already defined by the dictionary should be followed.

For example, a style guide could recommend how many spaces should follow a sentence or the proper spelling of the word email (should it be e-mail?). There are no right or wrong style choices, it is just a set of preferences that should be followed for consistency. By the way, not having a consistent writing style is wrong … just for the record:) Journalists typically follow the rules as printed in the Associated Press Stylebook, but then often have specific sets of rules for their particular publication, i.e., text is justified left, professional titles are always capitalized, etc. Lawyers, engineers, doctors (and many other professional industries) have their own style guides to follow too, but it’s not necessary for every writer to know every style guide from front to back.

It’s more important to know how to use a style guide and recognize moments in writing when a style choice could be questioned. For example, how should you use state abbreviations? One of the most popular and widely used style guides is the The Chicago Manual of Style, which is now in its 15th edition. In the manual you’ll find 984 pages covering everything from recommended publishing standards to hyphenation guidelines to spelling suggestions.

Remember that a style guide does not replace the dictionary or the established rules of the English language. Those rules are pretty much set in stone. However, style is always changing and can be adapted to the current culture and the specific organization. The goal for any style guide should be focused on written consistency.

If your business would like to develop its own style guide for consistent communications across the board, pick up a copy of The Chicago Manual of Style or contact the No. 2 Pen for assistance in developing a professional and easy to use style guide.

The No. 2 Pen is a full-service writing and communications company. Contact us to discuss your writing projects and editing needs.