What's in a Style Sheet

When we start with a new client the first thing we do before we start writing anything is to create a list of words, acronyms, and style use that will help us be consistent in all documents and with all authors. It also helps us create a working standard for our clients when they take over the documents. Here is a list of items we put into an Excel spreadsheet.

Alphabetized Spelling and Word Use Tab
For Example:
We had a client that insisted on having the 'TM' symbol on every instance of their product name. So in this list under C for the product name we listed...

• Product Name^TM
  

This told the writer how this word would be used. We also listed industry words (after we have confirmed spelling with industry associations or resources)...

• electrocardiography
  

and writing standards for words...

• double-click
  
• log in (adj or n.)
• login (verb)
  

Acronym Tab
We list all the industry and proprietary acronyms with their full spelling

• ECG - electrocardiogram

Styles, Standards, and Marketing Tab
On a third tab we record all the clients current:

• font styles (Body text - Arial 10pt, left align)
  
• branded colours (RGB and HEX)
  
• unit short forms (e.g. msec (millisecond)
  
• Computer usage terms (describes how to write the name of application parts e.g. button names - bold)
• Numbered standards (describes how to write words with numbers like package size e.g. 50-Pack)
• Numbers (0.2V or I, II, V or 8^th)
• Writing standards (e.g. use serial commas)