Style Guide - The Economist 2018

Preface

Every newspaper has its own style book, a set of rules telling journalists whether to write e-mail or email, Gadaffi or Qaddafi, judgement or judgment. The Economist’s internal style book (now an online guide, rather than a book) does this and a bit more. It also warns writers of some common mistakes and encourages them to write with clarity and simplicity.

All the prescriptive judgments in the style guide are directly derived from those used each week in writing and editing The Economist. And some of the judgments, advice and definitions given here differ from those given by other authorities.

This twelfth edition of the “The Economist Style Guide” is in three parts. The first is based on the traditional style book used by those who edit The Economist; it is largely the work of John Grimond, who over the years was editor of the Britain, United States and Foreign sections, before retiring in 2013. Johnny is a hard act to follow, and he left at a time when proper English usage seemed in full retreat in the face of texting, tweeting and internet jargon generally. His work still stands as a bulwark against it, as well as a monument to his impish wit and his sense of euphony, rightness and correctness. If slight cracks have now appeared in the bulwark, it is because language is a living thing that continually changes; some changes are benign, and some (such as the pervasive “smartness” of the digital age) simply cannot be resisted.

The second part of the book, on American and British English, describes some of the main differences between the two great English-speaking areas in spelling, grammar and usage.

To make the style guide of greater general interest, Part 3 consists of handy reference material that might appeal to readers of The Economist.

Throughout the text, italic type is used for examples except where they are presented in lists, when the type is roman, as this text is. Words in bold indicate a separate but relevant entry, that is, a cross-reference.

Many people have been involved in this book as it has developed and changed over the years. Thanks are due to all of them, with special thanks to Penny Butler, Ingrid Esling, Graham Douglas, Penny Garrett, Lane Greene and Anton LaGuardia, whose help has been invaluable and continues to be so.

Ann Wroe,

Obituaries Editor, The Economist

January 2018