Other style guides focus on just one aspect of writing, such as how to format legal citations.įor example, any copy editor with an English degree can make your writing grammatically correct. These guides can define fine details like the title page layout, distance of the header from the margin, placement of page numbers, or rules on hyphenating prefixes. Some style guides offer deep and very specific guidance about every nuance of your paper. Microsoft and Apple have their own style guides that others can follow when writing about products sold by those respective companies.Īcademic style guides show scholars how to write and format their scholarly dissertations, theses, journal articles, and research papers. For example, journalists use the Associated Press Stylebook or the BBC News Style Guide.

Some professions use style guides created by others. Government Printing Office Style Manual sets standards for government documents. Many organizations create their own style guides. Congratulations on this pivot from consumer to producer.Ī style is simply a set of rules for writing.

Your research may impact the decisions of others and future research in your area of expertise. Your dissertation marks a pivot to becoming an information producer. We spend the majority of our academic years consuming the findings and research of others. This article also compares the APA style guide with other guides you may encounter.

This article explains what an APA style guide is, when and why you need it, when you should consider hiring an APA editor, and what to look for if you choose to hire an editor.

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