I write to forget, but sometimes, I forget how I write. The following is a reminder rather than a rulebook.

Style

I write in the first person and in the active voice. I’m a reluctant introvert, so I write in the way I’d like to be able to talk to strangers — confidently, inquisitively, wittily, encouragingly.

Sometimes, I’m too clever for my own good. The right word is the simplest. The right sentence is the shortest. The right post is the one that has been published.

Capitals

I use capitals for:

• titles and subtitles;
• the author’s name in citations.

Dashes

I use an en dash:

• to join compound words;
• to indicate a range between two values;
• to indicate an association or an opposition between two parties.

I use an em dash:

• to mark a break in a sentence ;
• (sparingly) as an alternative to commas or parentheses.

Enumerations and lists

I use a comma in lists of three or more items. I use the serial comma only when it’s necessary to remove ambiguity —to my parents, Mary and God isn’t exactly the same as to my parents, Mary, and God. I (over)use the ellipsis to mark a pause. I have to be reminded to use a semicolon instead of a comma to separate two main clauses that aren’t joined with a conjunction. Elements of a list:

• start with a small letter;
• are followed by a semicolon;
• except the last one, which is followed by a full stop.

Figures and currencies

I write numbers:

• under 50 in letters;
• unless they’re followed by a unit of measurement or a currency symbol;
• over 50 in numbers;
• unless they’re part of an idiomatic expression;
• or at the beginning of a sentence.

I write dimensions in the following order:

• width × height;
• width × depth × height;
• width × depth and depth × height with the appropriate disambiguation.

If they’re not preceded by a number, I write units of measurement and currencies in letters. I write date ranges with the fewest possible figures (1987-91, 2003-4). I round decimal numbers to the nearest hundredth.

Italics

I use italics for:

• emphasis;
• foreign words;
• the titles of books, plays and newspapers.

The definite article ‘the’ should be composed in roman, unless it is part of the title itself.

Paragraphs

The platonic ideal of the “one-idea” paragraph is compelling in theory, but I write in practice. I prefer shorter paragraphs of no more than a dozen lines, which means an idea can be split into multiple paragraphs. A new idea requires a new paragraph. Unless done for stylistic effect, a single sentence can’t be an entire paragraph.

Parentheses and brackets

I use parentheses for brief interpolations and explanations. I use collapsible brackets for longer notes.

Products and brands

I don’t care for names and brands written in all lowercase, all uppercase or mixed cases. That being said, I don’t mind names and brands written in camel case. I try not to use a trademarked term instead of a generic one, but in return, I never use the ™ and © symbols.

Quotes

I use single quotes without spaces for quotations and double quotes without spaces for quotations within quotations. If the punctuation belongs to the quoted material, it should be included within the quotes. Longer extracts exceeding fifty words lose their quotes and become a block quotation that must be properly cited. I use the correct symbol for the inch, which is the double prime (″), not the double quote (”).

Spelling

I write in British English with the Oxford spelling (-ize instead of -ise). I systematically use contractions. I’m trying to drop unnecessary instances of that.

Reference

• the internet, all lowercase;
• the web, all lowercase;
• weblog, one word;
• website, one word.

When in doubt, refer to the New Hart’s Rules.