Do Style Sheets Work?

Nearly every publication has it’s own style sheet – their own personal editorial  bible they can rely on during any wordy crisis. Copywriters too tend to have their own set of style rules which can help them through any tough assignment.

Of the many charms style sheets offer, its their ability to reassure which is perhaps the most effective. Even the most talented writers can get tongue-tied with grammar, stuck on spelling or even just plain old tired with the same tried & tested methods.

With a trusty style sheet at your side, you can rest assured that an answer is within reach any time you need it.

Yet the ‘answer’ may often cause more problems than it solves. Pedantic wordsmiths all over the world love to be correct. Dot the I’s cross the T’s – heaven forbid you use a word where you shouldn’t.

Thing is, bending the rules can be fun AND be really creative. Words shouldn’t be bound up by rules and regulations all the time. Giving them a bit of space to do their own thing can breathe new life into corporate style copy which fails to catch the imagination.

Abusing the rules can be eye-catching too. Perhaps giving the reader a little challenge is just the way to get them to linger on your page that little bit longer.

Of course there’s a time and a place for all sorts of different styles of writing. What works for a report won’t necessarily do for a newsletter or a feature.

But just remember words can be fun. And if you feel the need to ignore the rule book, go ahead and experiment. It could just give you the answer you were looking for.