Online and print resources For writing questions not answered in this online manual, contact a member of the style manual team or check the recommended print and online references below (external links) and elsewhere on this page: Also see Plain-language resources, King County plain language writing guide. Why Associated Press style?
Microsoft Word
The Spelling and Grammar tool in Word is useful for correcting errors in grammar and style as well as spelling. You can set it to check for concerns like capitalization, misused words, noun and verb phrases, punctuation, clichés and jargon, contractions, gender-specific terms, sentence length and construction, unclear phrases, and wordiness. You also can set it for punctuation with quotation marks (inside) and spacing between sentences (one). As with Word's spell-checking function, you should review and confirm (or not) the suggested grammar and style corrections to make sure they apply, correctly, to your document and follow standards of the King County Editorial Style Manual. Also, the Readability-testing function built into Word's Spelling and Grammar tool can evaluate your document and give you an estimated grade level for readability. Here's how to set options in the Spelling and Grammar tool:
Click Tools on the Word toolbar.
Choose Options in the drop-down list.
Under Spelling, mark Check spelling as you type, Always suggest corrections and other choices you prefer.
Under Grammar, mark Check grammar as you type, Check grammar with spelling, and Show readability statistics.
Under Writing Style, choose Grammar & Style in the drop-down list.
Press the Settings button under Writing style.
Mark your choices.
Press OK. To use the Spelling and Grammar tool after seting the options, click Tools on the Word toolbar and then click Grammar and Spelling in the drop-down-list. Your options choices are supposed to stay set from use to use, but check them occasionally to make sure they haven't changed.
King County writing tools
King County plain language writing guide: How to write clearly to meet the needs of your readers—Plain-language principles can help you write clearly and concisely. Plain language (or plain English) is an approach to writing that concentrates on the needs of your readers. This clear writing approach is for public sector employees who write to and for King County taxpayers, ratepayers and other clients and customers. This guide is recommended for county website managers and authors. It also includes advice for writing documents that may be read by or translated for people with limited English proficiency. Guide to concise writing: Concise alternatives to pompous words and wordy, redundant phrases—Use this guide to help make your King County documents easier to read and understand. Its three sections provide concise alternatives to overstated, pompous words; wordy, bureaucratic phrases; and redundant phrases. Top 20 tips —Excerpts to answer the most frequently asked questions about the King County Editorial Style Manual. King County editorial style guide (DOC, 468KB)—A summary of key entries in the County's online Editorial Style Manual. If you need a printed version of the manual, download this condensed style guide. Except for this Word document, there is no print version of the whole style manual. Updated July 20, 2010. Translation resources--King County Executive Dow Constantine issued an executive order on written language translation in October 2010. The order outlines steps all departments should take to ensure that public communication materials and vital documents can be understood by the target audience—including people with limited English proficiency. This page includes the executive order and resources to help you with the written translation process. Graphic standards , King County Printshop Services (internal link)—Designed to create a greater visual consistency, clarity and recognition of King County government. Also see King County Metro graphic standards (internal link)—for applying county standards to Metro Transit products and services. Martin Luther King Logo —Background, news and FAQ about new county logo honoring the civil rights leader; approved March 12, 2007.
Resources on the King County Intranet
Internal links: Disability Publications List, Office of Civil Rights, Department of Executive Services—includes information on disability language and etiquette; alternative formats; how to announce accessibility to public meetings, hearings, conferences and events; access symbols; and TTY use. Also available is a checklist for accessible printed materials. Individual Development Classes: Business Writing | Grammar and Punctuation (no classes scheduled), Training and Organization Development, Office of Human Resources Management King County Printshop Services , Department of Executive Services—includes the County's Graphic Design Standards and Guidelines and information on getting the county logo Web Services and Information , Office of Information Resource Management—includes information on King County website goals, requirements, standards, management and development. The King County Design requirements and recommendations (DOC), state that Web-file content should follow Associated Press/King County/Metro style.
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