Style Guides

Microsoft Writing Style Guide

The most frequently used style guide for software documentation. Replaces the Microsoft Manual of Style and is now free of charge.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/style-guide/welcome/

Simplified Technical English

Here you can request a free copy of the ASD-STE100 Specifcation. This document contains many good writing tips and rules that can be applied to any project.

http://www.asd-ste100.org/request.html

Apple Publications Style Guide

Complete, downloadable style guide in PDF format (approx. 200 pages). To find the guide on the web site, enter “publications style guide” into the search box.

https://help.apple.com/asg/

Jorsek Content Development Style Guide

Style guide from the manufacturer of the easyDITA content management system.

https://github.com/Jorsek/jorsek-cdg

Salesforce Style Guide

Comprehensive style guide for documentation and user interface text. Can also be downloaded as a PDF (approx. 110 pages).

https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.salesforce_pubs_style_guide.meta/salesforce_pubs_style_guide/overview.htm

Google Developer Documentation Style Guide

Addresses some general topics, such as writing for a global audience, plus language, grammar, punctuation, and various writing conventions.

https://developers.google.com/style/

GNOME Documentation Style Guide

Writing style guide specifically for writing software documentation.

https://developer.gnome.org/gdp-style-guide/

SUSE and openSUSE Style Guides

Style guides for documentation and texts within the user interface.

https://doc.opensuse.org/products/opensuse/Styleguide/opensuse_documentation_styleguide_sd/

Drupal Handbook Style Guide

Brief guide with some basic tips.

https://www.drupal.org/governance/documentation-policies

Wikipedia Manual of Style

Brief style guide for writing wiki entries.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style

IEEE Computer Society Style Guide

Comprehensive style guide, published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ Computer Society.

https://www.computer.org/publications/computer-society-style-guide

National Geographic Style Manual

Detailed guide to the preferred National Geographic Society style.

https://sites.google.com/a/ngs.org/ngs-style-manual/

Web Style Guide

Comprehensive style guide and textbook on online information design in general.

http://www.webstyleguide.com

Style Guide by Duncan Kent

Brief writing styleguide and dictionary of plain English (PDF, 19 pages).

http://thewritingconsultants.ca/links.html

The Elements of Style

Well-known, brief, classic reference.

https://www.bartleby.com/141/

OWL Online Writing Lab

Collection of handouts and exercises on general writing concerns, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and professional writing.

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/

Plain English Campaign

Collection of free guides in PDF format.

http://www.plainenglish.co.uk/free-guides.html

Plain Language Action and Information Network

Collection of resources that are aimed to help you write more clearly and more concisely.

https://www.plainlanguage.gov

Proofreaders’ Marks

Brief reference of proofreader’s marks.

https://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/help-tools/proofreading-marks.html