ReligionStylebook.com expands search term options

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 26, 2011

DebraMason@RNA.org

ReligionStylebook.com expands search term options

The most comprehensive journalists’ style guide to religion terms re-launched today with easier-to-use search options and expanded entries.

Now, journalists can search Religion Newswriters Association’s free site, ReligionStylebook.com, by individual term, topic or letter of the alphabet.

"Our ReligionStylebook.com updates make an already valuable resource easier and more versatile,” said Debra L. Mason, executive director of Religion Newswriters.  The resource has more than 650 entries.

The specialized stylebook addresses the most common style-related concerns and covers major religions, denominations and religious organizations journalists often encounter. The stylebook was created by journalists—for journalists—with input from scholars and religious leaders for accuracy.

The stylebook includes titles for religious leaders, preferred spellings, recommended usages, selected pronunciation guides and entries on terms used in current events. Most of the terms in the ReligionStylebook do not appear in the popular Associated Press Stylebook.

In addition to new search options, the stylebook has added more than 100 new terms and will be regularly updated.

Although translations from the original language have created alternate spellings within some religious traditions, the new stylebook strives to follow the guidelines recommended by other authorities in order to promote accuracy and credibility in the journalism profession.

The original version of ReligionStylebook.com launched in 2006 and mimicked the print version of the Associated Press Stylebook, which was searchable generally by letter of the alphabet.

Religion Newswriters Association is a professional trade association for journalists writing about religion in the mainstream media and founded in 1949.