What is book style? How does it differ from styles followed in other publications?
Books have a particular style -- a specific way of handling grammatical and punctuation elements -- that differs from newspapers and academic papers. That's one reason why your friend, the college professor, doesn't
necessarily make the best editor for your work. Most editorial professionals follow The Chicago Manual of Style in editing books. Newspaper reporters and editors follow a different style outlined in The Associated Press
Stylebook. Students writing term papers refer to style manuals produced by the Modern Language Association (MLA). Here are a few differences:
Commas
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Book style: Use a comma before "and" in a series. This style is also used in magazines.
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Newspaper style: There is no comma before "and" in a series.
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MLA: Use a comma before "and" in a series.
State Names
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Book style: Spell out state names. Example: Elvis was last seen driving a four-wheel drive vehicle toward Memphis, Tennessee.
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Newspaper style: Abbreviate state names. Example: Elvis's abandoned car was found near Jackson, Tenn., filled with soap suds and scarves.
Numbers
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Book style: Spell out whole numbers from one to a hundred. Example: Louisa celebrated her birthday with thirty-nine cakes, eighty-three congratulatory e-mails, and a dining room full of cats.
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Newspaper style: Spell out whole numbers below 10; use figures for 10 and above. Example: The alien has three feet and speaks 279 languages.
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MLA style: In humanities writing and business letters, spell out numbers that are not more than two words, such as two hundred, twenty-nine, one-third. For numbers of more than two words -- such as 137 -- use numerals.
Seek professional help. Professional book editors are familiar with standard book style and will help you produce a professionally written book.
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