Section 2.8.4

Style Guides

Style guides are widely used in the professions and in organizations to achieve a uniform document look by identifying formal requirements for document appearance. They are task-oriented documents in the sense that they provide definite instructions for preparing a document. In style guides, instructions are generally provided for numerous document elements, including most of the following:

For many documents, it is a good idea to identify a standard of style so that you achieve consistency of style. Consistency is important, not only because it genuinely improves the reader's ability to understand your material, but also because it gives the reader confidence in your ability to assert control over detail.

You may set the standard of style by simply designating a document to follow as a model. You may also prepare your own style guide, something that may require only a one- or two-page listing of style guidelines. Most writers adopt a publication that gives style guidelines. Here are some common style guides:

For further discussion of documenting sources, see Citing Sources and Listing References.

## Style Guides ##


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