- -ize, -yse, and -yze endings
- British style quotation marks
House style is the set of conventions adopted by a publishing house and may include spelling, punctuation, text formatting, abbreviations, acceptable language, numbers, dates, and units of measure. OUP’s house style carries significant authority in academic publishing. You are required to follow OUP house style as you write and to check that instructions have been followed before final submission. This will save time and unnecessary corrections during the production process.
Oxford Dictionaries Pro is Oxford’s current English dictionary, thesaurus, and language reference website. If you are contracted to write for OUP you are eligible to receive free access to this resource which includes access to New Hart’s Rules: The Handbook of Style for Writers and Editors (Oxford University Press, 2005) – please ask your OUP Editor for further information on accessing this site for free. Once you have received your access information from your Editor you will be able to log in here For writers and editors:Oxford Dictionaries Pro. The site offers quick access to definitions of words, phrases, and idioms; expert guidance on style and usage, grammar, and spelling; and specialist guides for professional writers. Where any deviation occurs in New Hart's Rules, these Instructions for Authors take precedence.
When reproducing quoted material, you should copy verbatim from the source. Do not alter the spelling, capitalization, punctuation, or any other aspect of the original style to match that of your manuscript. In terms of notes and references, follow the title page of the original source in all matters of wording, such as author name and spelling of the title. However, capitalization and punctuation should be changed to ensure consistency with the rest of your manuscript.
Any compelling reasons for departure from the OUP house style must be discussed with your OUP Editor at an early stage of the writing process.
Spelling and hyphenation used must be consistent throughout your text. Please refer to a good dictionary when writing. We recommend:
Tip! Keep a list of the spelling and hyphenation choices you make and refer to this list as you are writing the text. Please then submit this with your manuscript for the copy editor to refer to.
Your OUP Editor will discuss with you the style to use. Choosing between the two will depend mainly on the nationality of the author(s), the type and subject of your book, and its intended readership and market. Choice will affect vocabulary, idioms, spelling, and punctuation. Specific guidance is given below on use of quotation marks and abbreviations.
Tip! Consistency of style throughout a title is crucial. Multi-contributor volume editors should agree with their OUP Editor whether consistency should be within individual chapters or across the title as a whole.
While writing and before finally submitting your manuscript, ensure you have observed the following advice about language:
Tip! Getting a colleague or friend to read the manuscript can help with the final editing stages, as he or she will be reading the text with fresh eyes.
If you are writing a Law text, see separate guidance on the use of numbers in legal instruments and cross-references.