As technical communicators, we know that audience is key, and this maxim is especially true for users of John Kirkman's punctuation guide. Written primarily for a British audience, it sets out in readable and clear prose all the basics and many of the subtleties of punctuation that science and technical writers need to know. The book contains a "Policy" section that sets out the author's philosophy about punctuation, an alphabetically arranged "Guidelines'" section that lays out the rules of correct use of various punctuation signs, three appendixes ("Paragraphing," "Word-division" [hyphenation], and "Differences in American English and British English"), a bibliography, and an index. The appendix on differences between American and British punctuation style is succinct and clear, guiding the British writer in the requirements of American publishing. Writers and editors grapple with punctuation issues every day, and a handbook such as this one is useful for looking up specifics. However, American practitioners should realize that some of Kirkman's advice contradicts style guides widely used in the United States.
展开▼
