First, write in a conversational tone, to avoid sounding like an
encyclopedia.
Next, read the MRH Style Guide:
This short document sets forth basic writing guidelines and
advice for grammar and spelling. It includes common modeling
and railroad terms, plus product and manufacturer names.
The guide shows how to include Web links and Internet terms in
your article.
In this age of 24x7 instant communication, it is easy to be misled
about grammar. If you read a dozen Web pages that say, “The
company released it’s newest model,” it is tempting to think that
all those people must be right, and “it’s” always (or never) has
an apostrophe. Not true. See the style guide.
Give yourself some credit! You once knew proper grammar and
how to spell. Read the style guide to refresh your memory and
improve your writing. Pay particular attention to commas in a
series, apostrophes, and how to write numbers.
There’s more to writing than grammar and spelling. Model
railroaders are a knowledgeable bunch. You gain credibility when
you use correct railroad terms, names, and abbreviations. Even
seemingly minor errors like “SD-40-2,” instead of the correct
“SD40-2,” or “back head” instead of “backhead” are sure to
catch people’s attention.
Each error is a “bump” that slows reading and comprehension.
As the style guide says, make life easy for readers.
No bumps,
please.
Refer to the MRH Style Guide to see how MRH wants you to use
certain terms. One example is “boxcar,” not “box car.” But use
“flat car” instead of “flatcar.” These styles might seem like nit-
Writing for MRH - 4
MRH-Mar 2013
