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FamilySearch Wiki:Manual of Style: Difference between revisions
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'''Shorter sentences that express one idea.''' As much as possible, write with shorter sentences that express one idea. They are easier to understand, especially if English is not a user’s native language.<br> Correct: This is an index to some birth and christening records from Arizona. The records cover 1909 through 1917. The index is not necessarily complete for any particular place or region.<br> | '''Shorter sentences that express one idea.''' As much as possible, write with shorter sentences that express one idea. They are easier to understand, especially if English is not a user’s native language.<br> Correct: This is an index to some birth and christening records from Arizona. The records cover 1909 through 1917. The index is not necessarily complete for any particular place or region.<br> | ||
'''Neutral tone'''. Writing should be factual and avoid stereotypes, judgments, and gender bias. However, quotes should not be changed to meet this guideline. <br> | '''Neutral tone'''. Writing should be factual and avoid stereotypes, judgments, and gender bias. However, quotes should not be changed to meet this guideline. <br> | ||
'''Not using “he or she.”''' As much as possible, avoid using “he or she” and “his or hers” (for example, “He or she can use the index to find his or her ancestor’s record quickly”). Do not use the plural pronoun “they” to replace “he or she.” Often, the problem can be solved by rewriting the sentence. <br> Correct: When users find an ancestor’s family in the census, they should copy all the information for the family. <br> Incorrect: When a user finds his or her ancestor’s family in the census, he or she should copy all the information for the family. <br> Incorrect: When a user finds their ancestor’s family in the census, they should copy all the information for the family. <br> | '''Not using “he or she.”''' As much as possible, avoid using “he or she” and “his or hers” (for example, “He or she can use the index to find his or her ancestor’s record quickly”). Do not use the plural pronoun “they” to replace “he or she.” Often, the problem can be solved by rewriting the sentence. <br> Correct: When users find an ancestor’s family in the census, they should copy all the information for the family. <br> Incorrect: When a user finds his or her ancestor’s family in the census, he or she should copy all the information for the family. <br> Incorrect: When a user finds their ancestor’s family in the census, they should copy all the information for the family. <br> | ||
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== Punctuation == | |||
'''Punctuation style.''' The rules of punctuation vary greatly (for example, whether a comma is placed before “and” in a series of items: red, white, and blue). Whatever style is chosen by the original contributor should be maintained throughout the article. Other contributors should follow the original style. <br> | |||
'''Commas.''' Commas are frequently used at the end of introductory phrases and to separate the items in a list. In a list, a comma may either be used before “and” or left out. Whatever style is chosen by the original contributor should be maintained throughout the article. <br> Correct: At that time, immigrants from Eastern Europe either sailed directly to the United States or changed ships in Liverpool, England, before sailing to the United States. <br> Correct: This collection includes birth, death, and marriage records. <br> Correct: This collection includes birth, death and marriage records.<br> | |||
'''Commas with places.''' When a place is listed, each jurisdiction (governmental divisions such as country, province, state, county, and so on) is separated by a comma. In a sentence, a comma also comes after the final jurisdiction unless it ends the sentence. <br> Correct: Bannow, County Wexford, Ireland<br> Correct: He was born in Hardin County, Kentucky, in an area that is now part of LaRue County, Kentucky. <br> Incorrect: Bannow County Wexford <br> | |||
'''Punctuation in numbers.''' Use commas in numbers over 999 (for example, 1,000; 1,000,000, and so on). Use a period to indicate a fraction of a digit (for example .25, 3.76, and so on).<br> | |||
'''Punctuation within quotation marks.''' English-speaking areas follow differing guidelines for adding punctuation within quotation marks (for example, whether the period is placed within or outside of the final quotation mark). When editing, contributors should follow the existing style in the article. <br> Correct: Lincoln began the Gettysburg address by referring to the Revolutionary War, which occurred “Four score and seven years ago.” <br> Correct: Lincoln began the Gettysburg address by referring to the Revolutionary War, which occurred “Four score and seven years ago”. <br> | |||
'''Ampersand.''' Do not replace the word “and” with an ampersand (&).<br>Exception: If the ampersand is part of an official name, use the ampersand. <br> | |||
'''And/or. '''Do not use “and/or.” Rewrite the sentence, or use just one word. If items are frequently together, use “and.” If items are seldom together, use “or.” <br>Correct: Each record has a death and burial date. <br>Correct: Each record has a death or burial date. Some records have both dates. <br>Incorrect: Each record has a death and/or burial date. | |||
'''Using a slash (/) between two years.''' Do not use a slash between two years unless you are writing an actual double date (see guideline 15.8). Use the word “or.”<br> Correct: In 1530 or 1531, the parish boundaries were changed. <br> Incorrect: In 1530/1531, the parish boundaries were changed. <br> | |||
'''Parentheses and brackets.''' Use parentheses ( ) around explanatory or alternate information. If the information in parentheses is a complete sentence, the period goes within the final parenthesis. (This sentence would be an example.) Use brackets [ ] to indicate words in a quote that have been altered from the original. <br> Correct: 10 Vendémiaire IX (2 October 1800)<br> Correct: “All men [and women] are created equal.” <br> Incorrect: 10 Vendémiaire IX [2 October 1800] | |||
'''Quotation marks.''' Use double quotation marks around quotes and titles of articles rather than single quotation marks. <br> Correct: For more information about these records, see “Australia Census.”<br> Incorrect: For more information about these records, see ‘Australia Census.’ | |||
'''The “#” symbol for the word “number.”''' The symbol “#” does not represent the word “number” in all cultures. Instead of “#”, use “number,” “No.,” or reword the sentence. <br> Correct: The number 1 cause of war deaths was disease. <br> Incorrect: The #1 cause of war deaths was disease. <br> | |||
'''Accepted authority.''' Because of the variety in the rules of punctuation, this list of guidelines is brief. When there is uncertainty about punctuation, follow an accepted authority such as the Chicago Manual of Style.<br><br> | |||
== Formatting == | == Formatting == | ||