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This handbook, the comprehensive style guide for the news writer who may occasionally be called upon to perform other duties such as taking pictures or laying out a page, includes a new section on staff management and organization, including job descriptions. This guide helps news writers easily and painlessly find the answers to the type of questions writers ask about style. The handbook also includes tips and helpful hints for additional information. In matters which are not addressed in this handbook, the Associated Press Stylebook should be consulted. The final authority, should AP not have the answer, is Webster’s Third New International Dictionary of the English Language, Unabridged.
This handbook is organized into teachable sections for ease of use and instruction. Each section begins with a general rule of thumb or a set of principles, and is followed by specific rules and examples. Each rule has a number, which teachers and editors can use to cite style errors. Writers can then look up the error, learn the rule, and correct the error—permanently.
Teachers or editors may wish to keep a list of the rule numbers missed to identify areas needed for improvement. The stylebook can also be introduced one section at a time in a beginning journalism class. Worksheets and a test for each section are a good way to reinforce the basic principles.
Consult this stylebook any time you have a style question.

— Rob Melton
Portland, Oregon
August 2006

Copyright ©2006 Rob Melton
robmelt@mac.com
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the author, unless you are a K-12 school teacher, college professor or nonprofit organization, in which case you are granted permission to reproduce this handbook or portions thereof for your students at no charge. For all other uses, please email the author below.
PEN & INK PRODUCTIONS
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Kate and Rob Melton wait for a cable car in San Francisco

DEDICATION
For Nancy Giuliani and all the other journalism and writing teachers who always wanted a quick reference to all of my stuff in one place that was free and easy to get to — I finally did it!