Synopsis
I have noticed a variety of minor inconsistencies in copy, formatting, and styling across the InterPlex website. It would be in our interest to address such inconsistencies wherever we notice them and to apply consistent stylistic and editorial standards moving forward. Below I address some of the particular inconsistencies I have noticed. I recommend developing an InterPlex style guide to address these points and prevent their replication in future content.
1. InterDialogues
- Ensure that all video descriptions employ the same stylistic conventions (e.g., timestamp formatting, en dashes in timestamps, etc.)
- Ensure that all video descriptions on YouTube match the content, style, and formatting of the same descriptions on their corresponding webpages; these should be identical
2. Contributors
- Ensure correct and consistent formatting, spelling, and reference of contributor names, especially where Spanish (or other) naming conventions and diacritics sometimes give rise to inconsistent formatting in English
- Ensure that general InterPlex editorial standards are applied to contributor bio statements
3. General website copy
- Consistent capitalization schemes for brand markers, e.g., The InterPlex, InterDialogues, InterArticles, InterProjects, etc.
- Consistent use of the Oxford comma
- Consistent use of em dashes (without spaces), and replace hyphens or en dashes with em dashes when the former symbols are used for the same purpose
- Define standards around use or omission of the article (“the”) preceding “InterPlex,” i.e., “The InterPlex,” and apply consistently
- Place punctuation marks inside quotation marks rather than outside
4. Recommendations
To address these areas of improvement for editorial consistency, and to prevent the need for future edits after incorporating new content on the website, I recommend the development of an InterPlex style guide that outlines best practices for consistent writing and other forms of presenting and referencing information. This will serve to orient InterPlex team members as well as contributors, who would also benefit from receiving a copy of our style guide when developing new contributions.