Without a doubt, one of the greatest things about the Internet is the fact that so many wonderful things are available for free. Even though I use the Net every day, I still marvel at how lucky we are to receive so many great things online. The newest treasure available on the Web is the
BBC News Styleguide, a superb collection of rules and recommendations for journalists everywhere. While the
AP Stylebook is great, it's $12.50 plus shipping.
Free is decidedly much better, and the Beeb's styleguide is a joy to read and follow.
Although it's written for broadcasters -- I learned about it first from newswriter extraordinaire
Mervin Block -- it's "must reading" for anyone who writes. Journalist or scribbler, broadcast or newspaper, whatever. The tone is a pleasure, the rules are superb, and the logic supreme. The section on "sensitivity," about "women, ethnic minorities, disabilities, religious groups," etc., is an outstanding page-and-a-half essay, ending simply: "It is a complicated area. Read the guidelines. Use your head." The sections on words -- superlatives, simple words, troublesome words, vogue words, superfluous words -- should be memorized by every writer and editor worthy of those titles.
