If it is possible to cut out a word, cut it out
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The title I have used is the third of George Orwell's "six elementary rules" to writing good English. These six rules still have a prominent place in this book's introduction, although there are now many more, gleaned from and generally attributed to other writers. This, to come to the point immediately, is my only criticism of The Economist's Style Guide. In its ninth edition, it must be more than twice the length of the one I bought in the early 90s (and now lost - probably lent to someone). The extra length detracts, I think, from the clarity of the stylistic advice, confusing it with detail, e.g. distinguishing flaunt from flount, numerous entries on currencies and the writing of nationalities. Much of the detail is relevant only to those writing on global politics and economics, although the core principles apply to everyone writing in the hope of being read, or read with pleasure!
It is perhaps unfair, though, to criticise this book for being too much of a good thing. It purports to be the actual style guide used by The Economist's journalists, and I am sure that that is just what it was (but that the current version is a little longer again). It is particularly good on he differences between American and British English, and how one can find words and expressions that are unobjectionable in both. It is humorously written - although if you want a more humorous differentiation of words you might try that redoubtable (Anglo-?)American Bill Bryson's "Troublesome Words". (Mr Bryson has however given the book a generous commendation, quoted on its back cover.) It is an excellent reference source - although if that is what you are after some of The Economist's other publications will give you much more of the same. It is a great guide to writing in the crisp style that characterises The Economist, although it does not differentiate where it is explaining gramatical correctness from those instances of where it is merely advising an approach (and where others would be equally correct).
This is a great reference book for the wordsmith - I, however, would appreciate an abridged version that presented the core issues with fewer distractions, rather like its earlier editions.
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Essential guide
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This is a very useful publication if you are writing, editing or, like me, designing publications. On many subjects it is definitive, others are more subjective and you can make your own determination... the important thing is to have a style guide and follow it consistently. Not only will this lend consistency to your production, it will shortcut many an argument and support your sanity in the face of impending deadlines.
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Lives on my desk, not my shelf
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If you're under the impression that the Economist has started giving out fashion advice, then this book is not for you.
If you are reading this review, then I hope you know what a Style Guide is. The Economist has gained a reputation for clear communication, and the Style Guide is part of that.
I'm not a journalist, but writing about financial matters is something I need to do as part of my professional life. Having a single reference that can answer questions like "on-line or online" for me has been very useful.
This is not a book that seeks to debate on the merits of different styles of written prose, but lays out, clearly, the style recommended for those writing for one publication.
The Economist's style isn't always appropriate - in organisations that prefer a "conversational marketing" approach, a more discursive style may be appropriate. However, having a consistent set of ground rules can be useful.
Oh, and the Style Guide not only explains what ground rules are, confirming that my usage was correct, but prevented me from just hyphenating the term in this review.
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A must for any bookshelf
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I own 2 editions of this book, the first from 1986. The later version has more reference material than the first but I was a tad disappointed by the lower quality paper used in this version. That said, this is a great book for anyone who has to write reports or essays and clarifies many grammatical problems, something to which I am emminently prone. You will also find this to be a valuable general reference book!
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Excellent in what it covers, but...
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Excellent glossaries e.g. of proper names that have changed over recent years (UKraine, not the Ukraine; Beijing, not Peking) and of currencies. Excellent for pointing out fuzzy thinking in your writing and for exposing the emptiness of certain cliches. Perfect for journalistic purposes; less exhaustive for academic writing or other formal writing. Beware: many of the recommendations are Economist house style and are not standard British English (e.g. small capitals for all abbreviations). You will need Oxford: New Hart's Rules (now contained in the Oxford Style Manual) for a full examination of the punctuation of quotations, since the Guide applies journalistic conventions, in which the standard rules of British English puncutation are often reversed.
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