HOW TO USE STYLE GUIDE TO IMPROVE YOUR WRITING SKILL
One way to improve your writing is to use a style guide. A writing style guide is a template that lays out all the rules that guide your writing.
It’s the same way you have a brand style guide that contains your brand logo, font style, font size and colour palette.
Your writing style guide should contain your preferred use of grammar, punctuations, spelling, capitalisation, point of view, abbreviations, slang, industry-specific words.
Using a style guide helps you create a consistent pattern of writing. It’s like having a rulebook you can consult whenever you’re confused or in doubt.
If you’ve ever worked with an editor, you would have noticed that even editors use a style guide. That’s what helps them stay on track while editing your work. If not, they would be confused and swayed in different directions by the many grammar rules in English.
Your style guide tells you the grammar rules to obey. It tells you the best writing voice and tone to use. It tells you how to capitalise your titles and punctuate your sentences.
For example, if you prefer using British English, your style guide narrows down to grammar, spelling and punctuation rules specific to British English.
As you use this set of rules repeatedly, it becomes a part of you. You will know the rules off the top of your head. This way, you won’t make unnecessary grammar, spelling and punctuation mistakes when writing. That’s one step to improving your writing.
If you want to improve your writing, create a personalised style guide. You can even develop a style guide for your different writing projects, fiction books, nonfiction books, blog posts, emails, business articles, etc. With this, your writing will have a unique touch.
When creating or choosing a style guide, you must consider your:
1. Audience: Who are you writing for? Who will read that book? Are you writing to a Nigerian or foreign audience? Are you writing to young adults or older folks? This will help you decide whether to use a formal, informal or semi-formal tone. It helps you decide whether to be serious, funny, or conversational.
2. Genre/Niche: There is a standard style for different books and writing. The rules that apply in fictional writing won’t work in academic writing. Find out what works in your field and use it.
3. Medium: You also have to consider the platform you’re using. Where will you post that piece? Will you publish that article on a blog or journal? The style of writing on social media doesn’t apply to journals and blogs. Your writing style should suit the medium of publication.
This is just a short guide to help you get started. If you want to go into more detail, you can read about the four official types of writing guides; AP, Chicago, APA, and MLA Manual of Style.
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HOW TO USE STYLE GUIDE TO IMPROVE YOUR WRITING SKILL