Style and spelling: editors' tools
Style guides present the preferred forms and styles for editors to apply to texts they are editing. Style guides collect the knowledge and experience of many editors over many years.
Australian style manual
In Australia, the style guide set for all Commonwealth government publications is Snooks & Co., Style manual for authors, editors and printers, 6th edition, published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, 2001. It has become the preferred Australian style guide, including for most universities and publishing companies in Australia. I have been using the Australian Style manual in my editorial work for more than 17 years, and this is the style guide I usually refer to when editing. Please let me know if you would prefer me to use another style guide featured on this page or if you have a house style you would like me to apply. |
Publication manual of the American Psychological Association, 7th edition
As the preferred style guide for writers in the behavioural and social sciences, the Publication manual of the American Psychological Association, 7th edition, is the required style of many university faculties and journals. It is consulted not only by psychologists but also by researchers and students in psychology, education, nursing, social work, anthropology, ethnology, sociology and other social sciences. Many Australian universities ask their students to use the Australian Style manual for authors, editors and printers for general style decisions and the APA publication manual for citation and referencing. |
Chicago manual of style, 17th edition
The Chicago manual of style (CMOS) is probably the most commonly used style guide in the United States. However, it is also used in Australia, and although CMOS is intended for published works, mainly books, it is often the prescribed style for academic theses and journal articles, particularly in business, history and the fine arts. I am highly experienced in using CMOS style, including both CMOS documentation styles: notes and bibliography, and author-date. |
MLA handbook, 8th edition
The MLA handbook, created by the Modern Language Association, considered the authority on research and writing, presents a style of documentation most often used in the humanities, particularly in languages and literature. |
Dictionaries
When editing, editors refer to many references, none more so than dictionaries.
The Macquarie Dictionary is the accepted dictionary for Australian publishers. If your publication is for an international audience, you may wish to apply US spellings, for example, 'z' not 's' in organisation, or '-or' not '-our' in harbour.
Unless you prefer another dictionary, I will use the Macquarie Dictionary Online when editing your publication or document. Please let me know if you prefer another dictionary.
The Macquarie Dictionary is the accepted dictionary for Australian publishers. If your publication is for an international audience, you may wish to apply US spellings, for example, 'z' not 's' in organisation, or '-or' not '-our' in harbour.
Unless you prefer another dictionary, I will use the Macquarie Dictionary Online when editing your publication or document. Please let me know if you prefer another dictionary.