E-What? A Guide to the Quirks of New Media Style and Usage [Paperback]

Editors of EEI Press (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

If you write or edit publications that ever mention computers, new media, or the Internet, "E-What?" can help you make sure that style and usage issues don't get in the way of your readers.

Traditional style guides simply can't keep track of newly coined Web-related terms. And computer dictionaries aren't helpful for making consistent editorial decisions about questions like: Is it "media is" or "media are"? "an URL" or "a URL"? "Web site" or "website"?

Consistency is your goal -- but IT keeps changing.

Whether you are a content creator actively involved in IT (information technology) or you write and edit publications for or about new media, you need up-to-the minute information about styling rules and workarounds for your next encounter with mid-capped trade names and verbed nouns. "E-What?" explains how to:

* Keep punctuation, capitalization, and compounding consistent

* Format Internet addresses and bibliographic citations

* Finesse abbreviations, odd trade names, and troublesome IT terms

* Write for a Web audience that may be international

* Pick your style battles (many "rules" are a matter of preference)

* Conserve the rules of English usage that still apply

* Create your own style guide -- and ensure that it gets used

* Enhance the readability of online content

Product Details

• Paperback: 116 pages
• Publisher: Editorial Experts (September 6, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0935012257
• ISBN-13: 978-0935012255
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,066,835 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The book I've been waiting for..., September 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: E-What? A Guide to the Quirks of New Media Style and Usage (Paperback)

Although no one book can declare the correct grammar and style for online communication, this book offers valuable guidelines and standards for writers. The Quick Reference List of Troublesome Terms provides spellings and definitions for the numerous Internet words and phrases. Some of the guidelines are a little obvious, such as advising not to use emoticons in emails or not to be cute or unprofessional in memos, web site content, and such. But I suppose it needed to be said. There's an interesting section on citing electronic references that was helpful to me. The book also discusses the trends and patterns of words and their evolution from two words, to a hyphenated term, to one word--for example, voicemail and email. As a technical writer, I found this book very helpful. I highly recommend it to technical writers and anyone who is concerned with grammar and style as they relate to computers and the Internet.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Little book, big help., October 5, 2000

By 

QuinnCreative "-Q" (Glendale, AZ, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: E-What? A Guide to the Quirks of New Media Style and Usage (Paperback)

All of us seem to be rushing to get a brochure, annual report, marketing material and general content up on a website, but until now there has been little help in making sure that the information is readable, grammatically correct, or consistent. Grab this book as you are rushing. It belongs right next to the computer--every computer. The editors of EEI Press seem to know just what's confusing and baffling writers, and are quick to help us out without the usual pedantic rant of style books. There is help for making sense of e-words, e-mail, and e-sources. The book is well organized and gives sound advice to those who want to create their own style guide.The sidebars on address formats and FAQs are worth the price of the book, which may seem to be a bit steep. But considering how often I've turned to it for advice, answers and guidance, and found a way out of some e-mess, it's money well spent. If you write, if you own a computer, if you want to represent yourself well to e-others, get the book today.