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The Oxford Style Manual
Throughout the twentieth century, The Oxford Dictionary for Writers and Editors and Hart's Rules grew to be indispensable sources for all those who deal with the written word. Now, for the first time, The Oxford Style Manual combines in one volume these two classic reference books in their latest forms: the second edition of The Oxford Dictionary for Writers and Editors, and The Oxford Guide to Style - the new Hart's Rules. Together they offer unrivalled guidance on words and how to treat them.
The first part of The Oxford Style Manual contains 16 topic-based chapters of help on every aspect of words in print. The text is full of explanations, examples, and lists of, for example, abbreviations, capitalization, punctuation, and scientific and mathematical symbols. It gives clear advice on how to treat quotations, illustrations, tables, notes and references, specialist subjects, and indexes, as well as exhaustive information on foreign languages. There is also information on recent issues such as citing electronic media, submitting material for online publication, and current copyright law.
The second part of the Manual consists of short alphabetical entries that provide easy-to-follow guidance on specific writing conundrums, including common spelling difficulties (hairdryer or hairdrier?); queries on hyphenation and punctuation (brothers-in-law or brother-in-laws?); confusables (impassible or impassable?); differences between British and American English (pyjamas/pajamas); and difficult or unusual terms.
The Oxford Style Manual really is the ultimate guide for all book, magazine, and Internet publishers on preparing and presenting the written word.
The first part of The Oxford Style Manual contains 16 topic-based chapters of help on every aspect of words in print. The text is full of explanations, examples, and lists of, for example, abbreviations, capitalization, punctuation, and scientific and mathematical symbols. It gives clear advice on how to treat quotations, illustrations, tables, notes and references, specialist subjects, and indexes, as well as exhaustive information on foreign languages. There is also information on recent issues such as citing electronic media, submitting material for online publication, and current copyright law.
The second part of the Manual consists of short alphabetical entries that provide easy-to-follow guidance on specific writing conundrums, including common spelling difficulties (hairdryer or hairdrier?); queries on hyphenation and punctuation (brothers-in-law or brother-in-laws?); confusables (impassible or impassable?); differences between British and American English (pyjamas/pajamas); and difficult or unusual terms.
The Oxford Style Manual really is the ultimate guide for all book, magazine, and Internet publishers on preparing and presenting the written word.
1056 pages, Hardcover
First published September 25, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 12, 2018
This is a must for writers, editors, and proofreaders. I fall into all three categories, thus it serves me well.
This is actually two books in one. The first part is "New Hart's Rules". This is a great reference tool for such as understanding when and when not to use bold, italics, capitalization, etc., plus many other intricate details that separate the serious writers and gifted editors from those who are determined to get published/get the job done as quick as possible.
Although this is a reference book, I "skim-read" this first part, gaining insights where needed.
The second book in this volume is called the "New Oxford Dictionary for Writers and Editors". This is not a standard dictionary, but rather one that focuses on ambiguous or grammar, the differences between British and American English, and other spellings/rules that are not so obvious.
All aspiring writers should bear in mind that a good story should be backed up by good English style. Use this handbook and reduce the amount of time editors and proofreaders need to spend checking your work, allowing them to polish the manuscript to the highest standard possible, thus increasing the opportunity of literary agents and publishers noticing you.
Editors and proofreaders new to the business should not be without this guide.
This is actually two books in one. The first part is "New Hart's Rules". This is a great reference tool for such as understanding when and when not to use bold, italics, capitalization, etc., plus many other intricate details that separate the serious writers and gifted editors from those who are determined to get published/get the job done as quick as possible.
Although this is a reference book, I "skim-read" this first part, gaining insights where needed.
The second book in this volume is called the "New Oxford Dictionary for Writers and Editors". This is not a standard dictionary, but rather one that focuses on ambiguous or grammar, the differences between British and American English, and other spellings/rules that are not so obvious.
All aspiring writers should bear in mind that a good story should be backed up by good English style. Use this handbook and reduce the amount of time editors and proofreaders need to spend checking your work, allowing them to polish the manuscript to the highest standard possible, thus increasing the opportunity of literary agents and publishers noticing you.
Editors and proofreaders new to the business should not be without this guide.
March 16, 2015
This never leaves my desk while I'm editing and, frankly, it would make the editor's life a hell of a lot easier if writers used it as well. It's authoritative and clear, both on rules of grammar and on the differences between US and British spelling and punctuation.
April 26, 2011
I am now reading this book. This manual is the standard for book editors.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews