Style Manuals and Guides for Authors and Editors: Prescriptive or Descriptive?

Abstract

Style manuals began as books of rules for copy-makers in printing plants and later in publishing houses; their use soon spread to editors and authors. Manuals, or guides, addressed to authors should be as concise and as readable as possible. Manuals are more likely to be prescriptive, while guides are descriptive, though the distinction cannot be pushed too far. Writing Scientific Papers in English, the ELSE-Ciba Foundation guide for authors, is a guide in spite of its use of the imperative mood. A forthcoming book, Editing Scientific Books and Journals, will be even more descriptive than the book on writing.