Post History

Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/5360
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

No, it is not overkill to follow a stylebook. As others have said, you consult it as questions arise and learn as you go; you normally don't read it cover to cover. We all put sticky notes on the oft-consulted sections. Since you went to the trouble of asking your question, you are obviously bothered by the lack of consistency within your company.

Also, since you write a lot for your job, chances are you ARE already following a style. I would suggest you begin compiling a document including all of the things you are constantly looking up and create your own style guide. Who knows, maybe your company will one day adopt your guide! (One suggestion: as you compile your own guide make a note of which authoritative source you base each "rule" on so that you can refer back to it if necessary.)

My company follows _The Associated Press Stylebook_, except when they don't. We have a Word document with the exceptions, which is updated as decisions are made. (It is always noted in the file the date when a rule is changed.) Also, AP changes their style on occasion, and my company has to decide if they agree. As an example, last year AP changed _e-mail_ to _email._ My company did not.

Original score: 12