Wonder why the Beacon Journal does certain things? Check out the USA TODAY Network Style Guide
I often get questions from readers about why the Beacon Journal does certain things the way we do.
Why does a physician get the "Dr." courtesy title but not someone who earned a doctor of philosophy?
When do reporters agree to not name a source?
And why is a pamphlet is a flyer, not a flier?
The answer is we follow accepted journalism style — and now I'm happy to be able to share our style guide with you.
The USA TODAY Network, which includes the Akron Beacon Journal and Record-Courier, on April 10 launched its USA TODAY Network Style Guide, a tool to help our journalists uphold our commitment to clarity, accuracy, consistency and transparency in journalism.
We're also offering this free tool for our community, including students, teachers, bloggers and anyone with a passion for writing.
Michael McCarter, vice president Opinion Group and Standards and Ethics for the USA TODAY Network, explains in the forward that this new style guide "is an evolving document that empowers us to communicate with clarity, accuracy and respect to foster trust and understanding."
"We sincerely hope the style guide will be used and referenced in the spirit it was intended: to establish a uniting tool that provides simple guidance regarding language to enable consistency and clarity as we deliver on our mission of serving and empowering our communities," McCarter wrote.
Of course, the USA TODAY Network Style Guide is just that — a guide. There still will be questions not addressed in the style guide that local editors consider while taking into account the communities we serve.
For example, is that patch of grass between the sidewalk and street a tree lawn or devil strip?
Anyone in Akron knows the answer to this question. (Devil strip, obviously.)
Curious to see the answers to the questions I posed above or other style questions? You can check out the USA TODAY Network Style Guide at https://tinyurl.com/yz9nut8m
And, as always, I welcome your questions and feedback. Send me an email at cpowell@thebeaconjournal.com or call 330-996-3902.
Cheryl Powell is executive editor for the Akron Beacon Journal and regional editor for the USA TODAY Network North Ohio region.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: USA TODAY Network launches style guide
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