Writing Tip: Get The Chicago Manual Online–Free!

August 17, 2010 in Writing Tips | Comment

Chicago Manual of Style You want to get things right when you write. And not just the facts. Keep your grammar, punctuation and usage on target, too. How? By checking the right references for the job.

For copywriting, I use The Associated Press Stylebook and The Gregg Reference Manual a lot more than The Chicago Manual of Style. Why? The first two references cover what I write more than CMOS does. But I also have to be honest: Way down deep, a rebellious, little troll has always whispered to me that CMOS is stilted and stuffy. It’s for fussy scholars with quill pens. Right?

Wrong. CMOS (published by The University of Chicago Press) is the formal guide for book authors, publishers and editors. It’s been around since 1906. And it’s filled with all those irritating writing rules that drive me crazy. If The AP Stylebook or Gregg can’t answer my question, I haul out CMOS. And at 900-plus pages, the 15^th edition is a hefty haul.

The 16^th edition of CMOS debuted earlier this year. While checking print prices, I discovered the free, 30-day trial of the online version. I was just a little curious about this upstart, electronic cousin. What’s not to like about “free”? So I signed up.

And so far, no regrets:

You can use the online version the same way you do the printed copy. Just scan the table of contents or index for the section you need and click the link. Painless and convenient. No paper needed.
You can use the keyword search box to find that elusive grammar tidbit. That’s something the hard-copy edition just can’t match.
You can bookmark sections, add notes, and craft your own style sheets. Then you can save everything online. Even my whiny, little troll loved that.

I was amazed by all this electronic functionality. And I stopped thinking “stuffy” when I read Chicago Style Q&A, written with sassy panache by Carol Fisher Haller. The online forum is also filled with pesky questions and challenging answers.

So if you write, edit, or proofread, sign up for the free, 30-day trial of The Chicago Manual of Style Online. Subscribe for a reasonable $35 per year when your trial ends.

That rebellious, little troll is whispering to me again. Now he loves CMOS. And now I almost love him.

Want more writing tips? Have a copywriting question? Just let me know. This freelance copywriter will be happy to help.