What You Need to Know About The Economist Style Guide: 12th Edition
The Economist Style Guide: 12th Edition
If you want to write with clarity, style and precision, you should read The Economist Style Guide. This much-loved guide, now in its 12th edition, is based on the style book used by the editors and writers of The Economist, one of the world's most respected publications. It offers advice on everything from punctuation, abbreviations and capital letters to common errors, clichés and jargon. It also covers some of the key differences between American and British English, as well as some handy reference material on various topics. Whether you are a professional writer, a student, a business person or just someone who wants to communicate better, this book will help you improve your writing skills and avoid pitfalls.
the economist style guide ebook 12
Why you should read this book
Writing well is not easy. It requires not only a good command of grammar, vocabulary and spelling, but also a clear sense of purpose, audience and tone. It also requires attention to detail, consistency and accuracy. And it requires creativity, flair and originality. How can you achieve all this? One way is to learn from the best. And The Economist is widely regarded as one of the best sources of clear, concise and elegant writing in English. By reading this book, you will learn some of the secrets behind its success. You will learn how to:
Think before you write. Have a clear idea of what you want to say and how you want to say it.
Write simply. Use plain words and short sentences. Avoid unnecessary jargon and technical terms.
Write accurately. Check your facts, figures and sources. Avoid errors and contradictions.
Write elegantly. Use variety and rhythm in your sentences. Avoid repetition and redundancy.
Write persuasively. Use logic and evidence to support your arguments. Avoid exaggeration and bias.
By following these principles, you will be able to write with confidence and authority. You will be able to express your ideas clearly and effectively. And you will be able to impress your readers with your style and substance.
What's new in the 12th edition
The first edition of The Economist Style Guide was published in 1986. Since then, it has been revised and updated several times to reflect the changes and developments in the English language and the world at large. The 12th edition, published in 2018, is the latest and most comprehensive version of the book. It contains some new features and improvements, such as:
A new preface by Ann Wroe, the obituaries editor of The Economist and the author of several books. She explains the history and philosophy of the book, as well as some of the challenges and joys of writing for The Economist.
A new section on digital media, covering topics such as blogs, podcasts, social media and online sources. It offers advice on how to write for different platforms and audiences, as well as how to deal with issues such as fake news, trolling and plagiarism.
A new section on inclusive language, covering topics such as gender, race, disability and sexuality. It offers advice on how to avoid stereotypes, prejudices and offensive terms, as well as how to use respectful and appropriate language.
A revised and expanded section on American and British English, covering more topics and examples of the main differences between the two varieties of English in spelling, grammar and usage.
A revised and expanded section on handy reference material, covering more topics and information on various subjects, such as business ratios, mathematical symbols, Latin phrases and common abbreviations.
These new features and improvements make the 12th edition of The Economist Style Guide more relevant and useful than ever. It reflects the current state of the English language and the world we live in. It also preserves the timeless wisdom and wit of the previous editions.
How to use this book
The Economist Style Guide is not a rigid set of rules that you have to follow blindly. It is a flexible guide that you can adapt to your own needs and preferences. It is not a substitute for your own judgment and creativity. It is a tool that you can use to enhance your writing skills and avoid common mistakes. Here are some tips and suggestions on how to use this book:
Read it carefully. Don't just skim through it or look up specific topics. Read it from cover to cover. You will learn a lot from the examples and explanations given throughout the book.
Refer to it frequently. Don't just read it once and forget about it. Keep it handy and consult it whenever you have a doubt or a question about your writing. You will find it a valuable resource for solving problems and improving your style.
Apply it consistently. Don't just use it selectively or sporadically. Apply it to all your writing projects, whether they are formal or informal, academic or professional, personal or public. You will find it a reliable guide for achieving clarity, precision and elegance.
Experiment with it creatively. Don't just use it mechanically or conventionally. Experiment with different ways of expressing your ideas, using different words, sentences and structures. You will find it a stimulating guide for developing your voice and originality.
By using this book in these ways, you will be able to make the most of its advice and insights. You will be able to write with confidence and authority. And you will be able to enjoy the pleasures and challenges of writing in English.
The main sections of the book
The Economist Style Guide is divided into three main parts: Part 1: The essence of style; Part 2: American and British English; Part 3: Handy reference material. Each part covers a different aspect of writing in English and provides useful information and guidance for writers of all levels and backgrounds. Here is a summary of each part and what it covers:
Part 1: The essence of style
This part is based on the traditional style book used by those who edit The Economist. It covers the basic principles of clear and effective writing in English. It offers advice on topics such as punctuation, abbreviations, capital letters, numbers, dates, names, titles, quotations, hyphens, dashes, brackets, spelling, grammar, usage, tone, voice, mood, tense, person, gender, agreement, modifiers, parallelism, conjunctions, prepositions, articles, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, nouns, plurals, collectives, compounds, foreign words, clichés, jargon, euphemisms, slang, colloquialisms, idioms, metaphors, similes, allusions, analogies, rhetorical questions, irony, sarcasm, humor, wit, clarity, simplicity, conciseness, precision, accuracy, consistency Part 2: American and British English
This part describes some of the main differences between the two great English-speaking areas in spelling, grammar and usage. It covers topics such as:
Spelling: color vs colour, center vs centre, realize vs realise, etc.
Punctuation: commas, periods, quotation marks, etc.
Vocabulary: elevator vs lift, truck vs lorry, cookie vs biscuit, etc.
Grammar: collective nouns, subjunctive mood, past tense, etc.
Usage: gotten vs got, shall vs will, may vs might, etc.
This part also explains some of the reasons behind these differences and how they evolved over time. It also offers some advice on how to choose between the two varieties of English depending on your audience and purpose.
Part 3: Handy reference material
This part consists of handy reference material that might appeal to readers of The Economist. It covers topics such as:
Business ratios: definitions and formulas for common financial ratios, such as return on equity, debt-to-equity ratio, earnings per share, etc.
Mathematical symbols: explanations and examples of common mathematical symbols and expressions, such as pi, e, infinity, square root, logarithm, etc.
Latin phrases: translations and meanings of common Latin phrases and abbreviations, such as ad hoc, bona fide, et cetera, etc.
Common abbreviations: meanings and spellings of common abbreviations and acronyms, such as ASAP, CEO, GDP, NATO, etc.
Country names and codes: official names and codes of countries and territories around the world, such as Afghanistan (AF), China (CN), United Kingdom (GB), etc.
This part also contains some useful tables and charts on various subjects, such as the periodic table of elements, the solar system, the presidents of the United States, the prime ministers of the United Kingdom, etc.
Some examples of the book's advice
To give you a taste of the book's style and tone, here are some excerpts from the book that illustrate its advice on different topics:
Punctuation: A well-placed comma can be crucial. Compare "Let's eat Grandma" with "Let's eat, Grandma". The first suggests cannibalism; the second proposes a meal. The comma in "A panda eats shoots and leaves" is a matter of zoological fact; without it ("A panda eats shoots and leaves") it becomes a sad story about a panda who eats first and then goes away.
Spelling: If you are writing for an international audience or for an American one, use American spelling. If you are writing for a British audience or for a publication that uses British spelling (such as The Economist), use British spelling. But whichever you choose, be consistent. Do not write organise in one paragraph and organize in another. And do not write organise in one paragraph and organization in another. If you use British spelling for verbs ending in -ise or -ize (such as organise or organize), use it for nouns ending in -isation or -ization (such as organisation or organization). If you use American spelling for verbs ending in -ize (such as organize), use it for nouns ending in -ization (such as organization).
Vocabulary: Use words that are appropriate for your subject and audience. Do not use technical terms or jargon unless you are sure that your readers will understand them. Do not use slang or colloquialisms unless you are writing informally or quoting someone who uses them. Do not use euphemisms or circumlocutions to avoid saying something unpleasant or controversial. Say what you mean and mean what you say.
Grammar: Use grammar to convey your meaning clearly and correctly. Do not use grammar to show off your knowledge or to impress your readers. Do not use grammar to obscure your meaning or to evade responsibility. Do not use grammar to break the rules for the sake of breaking them. Use grammar to make your writing clear, simple, concise, precise, accurate, consistent and elegant.
Usage: Usage is the way words and phrases are used in a language. Usage changes over time and varies across regions, cultures and contexts. Usage is not fixed or absolute; it is flexible and relative. Usage is not right or wrong; it is appropriate or inappropriate. Usage is not a matter of authority or prescription; it is a matter of convention and consensus. Usage is not a matter of logic or reason; it is a matter of habit and tradition. Usage is not a matter of rules or laws; it is a matter of style and taste.
The benefits of following the book's advice
By following the book's advice, you will be able to write with clarity, precision and elegance. You will be able to:
Communicate your ideas clearly and effectively. You will be able to convey your message without ambiguity, confusion or misunderstanding.
Impress your readers with your style and substance. You will be able to attract and retain their attention, interest and respect.
Avoid common errors and mistakes. You will be able to prevent errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, usage and logic that could undermine your credibility and authority.
Enhance your reputation and authority. You will be able to establish yourself as a reliable and trustworthy source of information and opinion.
Improve your writing skills and confidence. You will be able to write with more ease, fluency and enjoyment.
By following the book's advice, you will be able to write like The Economist. And that is no small feat.
The limitations of the book's advice
While the book's advice is valuable and useful, it is not infallible or universal. It has some limitations and exceptions that you should be aware of. Here are some of them:
The book's advice is based on the style of The Economist. It may not suit every type of writing or every type of reader. You may need to adapt or modify it depending on your purpose, audience and context.
The book's advice is based on the current state of the English language. It may not reflect the future changes and developments in the language. You may need to update or revise it depending on the latest trends and innovations.
The book's advice is based on the opinions and preferences of its authors and editors. It may not agree with the opinions and preferences of other authorities or experts. You may need to consult or compare it with other sources of guidance and reference.
The book's advice is based on the principles of clarity, precision and elegance. It may not accommodate the principles of creativity, originality and flair. You may need to balance or supplement it with your own judgment and imagination.
The book's advice is not a rigid set of rules that you have to follow blindly. It is a flexible guide that you can adapt to your own needs and preferences. It is not a substitute for your own judgment and creativity. It is a tool that you can use to enhance your writing skills and avoid common mistakes.
How to get the book
If you are interested in getting The Economist Style Guide: 12th Edition, you have several options:
You can buy it online from various retailers, such as Amazon, Google Play or Profile Books. The price ranges from $9.99 to $15.99 depending on the format (ebook or paperback) and the seller.
You can download it for free from The Economist website. You will need to register with your email address and create a password. You will also need to agree to receive newsletters and offers from The Economist Group.
You can borrow it from a library near you. You can use WorldCat to find out which libraries have it in their collections. You will need a library card and a valid ID to borrow it.
Whichever option you choose, you will be able to access one of the most comprehensive and authoritative guides to writing in English available today.
Conclusion
The Economist Style Guide: 12th Edition is a must-read for anyone who wants to write with clarity, style and precision. It is based on the style book used by the editors and writers of The Economist, one of the world's most respected publications. It offers advice on everything from punctuation, abbreviations and capital letters to common errors, clichés It also covers some of the key differences between American and British English, as well as some handy reference material on various topics. It also contains some examples of the book's advice that illustrate its style and tone. By following the book's advice, you will be able to write with confidence and authority. You will also be able to avoid common errors and mistakes. However, you should also be aware of the limitations and exceptions of the book's advice. It may not suit every type of writing or every type of reader. It may not reflect the future changes and developments in the language. It may not agree with the opinions and preferences of other authorities or experts. It may not accommodate the principles of creativity, originality and flair. You should use the book as a guide, not as a rulebook. You should adapt it to your own needs and preferences. You should use your own judgment and imagination. If you are interested in getting the book, you have several options: you can buy it online, download it for free or borrow it from a library. Whichever option you choose, you will be able to access one of the most comprehensive and authoritative guides to writing in English available today. FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about The Economist Style Guide: 12th Edition and their answers:
Who is the author of the book?
The book is written by Ann Wroe, the obituaries editor of The Economist and the author of several books. She is also the editor of the 12th edition of the book. She based the book on the traditional style book used by those who edit The Economist, which was largely the work of John Grimond, who retired in 2013 after being editor of various sections of The Economist.
Who is the book for?
The book is for anyone who wants to write with clarity, style and precision in English. It is especially useful for professional writers, students, business people and anyone who wants to communicate better in English.
What is the difference between the 12th edition and the previous editions?
The 12th edition, published in 2018, is the latest and most comprehensive version of the book. It contains some new features and improvements, such as a new preface by Ann Wroe, a new section on digital media, a new section on inclusive language, a revised and expanded section on American and British English, a revised and expanded section on handy reference material, and more examples and explanations throughout the book.
How can I get the book?
You can get the book in various ways: you can buy it online from various retailers, such as Amazon, Google Play or Profile Books; you can download it for free from The Economist website; or you can borrow it from a library near you.
How can I use the book?
You can use the book in various ways: you can read it carefully from cover to cover; you can refer to it frequently whenever you have a doubt or a question about your writing; you can apply it consistently to all your writing projects; or you can experiment with it creatively to develop your voice and originality.
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