The University of Chicago Press has released the 18th edition of The Chicago Manual of Style, a cornerstone reference for writers and editors since 1906. This latest update, published in September 2024, reflects the evolving landscape of language and publishing while maintaining its role as a guardian of editorial standards.
The new edition addresses contemporary challenges in writing and publishing. It now fully embraces the singular "they," including the reflexive "themself," acknowledging shifts in gender-neutral language usage. The manual also provides guidance on electronic and self-publishing, AI usage, and text accessibility for vision-impaired readers.
Notable changes in the 18th edition include:
- Capitalization rules for sentences following colons
- Removal of hyphens in words like "esports" and "ebook"
- Updated hyphenation guidelines for compound modifiers
- Capitalization of longer prepositions in headlines
- Acceptance of "overly" as an adverb
- Capitalization of "Indigenous" alongside "Black" and "White"
- Italicization of web-only series titles
The Chicago Manual of Style's evolution mirrors the transformation of the publishing industry. While it still includes a section on traditional copy-editing marks, the manual acknowledges the shift towards digital editing practices. It now refers to self-publishing as "published by the author," reflecting the growing legitimacy of this practice.
"A reference book is a belief system: There is a right way. Its changing rules and traditions can be known; you can keep them near you. At a time when right ways, rules and traditions are everywhere uncertain, a new Chicago provides, for at least a moment, solid ground."
The Chicago Manual of Style remains a vital resource for maintaining consistency and quality in writing and editing. Its regular updates ensure it stays relevant in an ever-changing linguistic and technological landscape, providing guidance to professionals and enthusiasts alike in the art of clear, effective communication.