usage guide
Writing reference book
A usage guide is a reference work that advises on questions of grammar, style, and word choice—which constructions are standard, which are disputed, which to avoid.
Unlike dictionaries, which describe how language is used, usage guides often prescribe how it should be used: Fowler's Modern English Usage, Garner's Modern American Usage.
The term also applies to any manual explaining how to use a product or service.
Written instructions for use
- handbookCompact reference guide
- guidebookReference for travelers
- tutorialInstructional step-by-step guide
- referenceDirecting attention elsewhere
directions · specifications · protocol · standards · procedures · documentation · walkthrough · how-to
Language's structural rules
- punctuationWritten clarity symbols
- spellingCorrect letter sequence
- syntaxRules for arranging words
- capitalizationUsing big letters properly
hyphenation · diction · tone · voice · clarity · consistency · formatting · citations
Statement making something clear
- disambiguationRemoving uncertainty about meaning
- distinctionNotable difference or honor
- nuanceSlight shade of difference
- contextCircumstances shaping meaning
meaning · interpretation · commonly confused · exceptions · notes · tips · pitfalls · errors
Alphabetical word reference
- thesaurusSynonym and antonym compendium
- glossaryAlphabetical list with definitions
- lexiconVocabulary of a language
- indexAlphabetical guide to contents
appendix · lookup · definitions · entries · cross-reference · examples · notes · annotations
manual
Written instructions for use
- handbookCompact reference guide
- guidebookReference for travelers
- tutorialInstructional step-by-step guide
reference · directions · specifications · protocol · standards · procedures · documentation · walkthrough · how-to · troubleshooting
grammar
Language's structural rules
- punctuationWritten clarity symbols
- spellingCorrect letter sequence
- syntaxRules for arranging words
capitalization · hyphenation · diction · tone · voice · clarity · consistency · formatting · citations · abbreviations
explanation
Statement making something clear
- disambiguationRemoving uncertainty about meaning
- distinctionNotable difference or honor
- nuanceSlight shade of difference
context · meaning · interpretation · commonly confused · exceptions · notes · tips · pitfalls · errors · mistakes
dictionary
Alphabetical word reference
- thesaurusSynonym and antonym compendium
- glossaryAlphabetical list with definitions
- lexiconVocabulary of a language
index · appendix · lookup · definitions · entries · cross-reference · examples · notes · annotations · conventions
usage guidedictionary
Alphabetical word reference
corpus · lexicon · thesaurus · linguistic atlas · wordlist