In the world of writing and research, Standard Style Manuals are always valuable reference tools. Even experienced Writers seem to never completely outgrow the need to consult them.

Why might this be so?

Details, details, details! For help with grammar, punctuation, citations, etc.

http://www.google.com/search?q=standard+style+manuals&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7SUNA_en

MLA: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/557/01/

APA: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/

Chicago: http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/home.html

and others

There are several reasons why even experienced writers continue to consult standard style manuals:

1. Consistency: Style manuals provide guidelines on various aspects of writing, including punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and grammar. By following these guidelines, writers can ensure consistency throughout their work. Consistency not only enhances the readability of the text but also helps to establish credibility.

2. Updates: Language and writing conventions evolve over time. Style manuals are regularly updated to reflect these changes. Even experienced writers may not be aware of the latest updates or may forget certain rules. Consulting style manuals allows writers to stay up-to-date with the current standards and make necessary adjustments to their writing.

3. Specialized Fields: Different fields of writing may have their own specific style conventions. For example, academic writing often follows specific formats, such as APA, MLA, or Chicago style. Style manuals provide guidelines tailored to these specialized fields. Even experienced writers who are familiar with general writing conventions may need guidance when venturing into unfamiliar territories.

4. Clarity: Writing is all about clear communication. Style manuals offer guidelines for creating clear and concise prose. By consulting these resources, writers can learn techniques to improve their sentence structure, eliminate ambiguity, and make their writing more effective.

5. Answering Questions: Writing can present various questions and conundrums. For instance, writers may need guidance on how to format citations, whether to use a comma or a semicolon in a particular context, or how to handle certain punctuation marks. Style manuals serve as reliable references to help writers find answers to these questions.

In summary, standard style manuals are valuable references for writers because they provide guidelines for consistency, offer updates on evolving language conventions, cater to specialized fields, enhance clarity in writing, and serve as a resource to find answers to writing-related questions.