Style Sheet for
Slipstream official publication of the
Fleet Air Arm Association Of Australia December 2019
S
pelling and style in many instances are largely a matter of personal preference. There are many modifications of English spelling that even the purists can dispute “common usage” with hundreds of words.
However, as ‘Slipstream’, the official publication of the Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia needs some degree of uniformity a ‘Style Sheet’ is more or less essential. This ‘Style Sheet’ does not pretend to be exhaustive or infallible. Many good authorities would dispute rulings given here. In many instances, one alternative is as correct as the other. But in a magazine as in a newspaper you have to come down on one side of the fence. Hence the seemingly didactic note in this book. ‘Slipstream’ seeks to attain a reasonable balance between dignity and simplicity. It does not object to any colloquialisms when these are apt, familiar, or without vulgarity. Even slang is not ruled out but must be used with discretion and not in preference to established, unambiguous words. ‘Slipstream’ should not discuss politics or religion. Cartoons and jokes should be limited to FAA, Naval or Aviation. Members must be allowed to express and give opinions consistent with the direction explained in this ‘Style Sheet’. Where articles are sourced through other publications, then an authority to print must be obtained from the copyright publisher or writer. However, to cover the Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia and its Committee a ‘disclaimer’ must appear in ‘Slipstream’ along the lines: “The views and opinions expressed by authors/writers and letters to the editor in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Association or its Committee”. ‘Slipstream’ needs colour, zest, and vitality in our magazine presentation and interpretation. Still more ’Slipstream’ must present precision. So, unless the facts are guaranteed and rechecked and the sources of guidance trustworthy, let us lean towards understatement: There are three MUSTS which take, preference over all others: (1) be accurate (2) be lucid (3) be crisp. December 2019
Layout and Design Desk Top Publishing software used in the production of ‘Slipstream’ Microsoft Publisher 2016 or later
Date, Volume and Issue No Set by Master Pages each Issue Page 1 Lead Article should differ in Layout and Design in each issue. Headline to be Sans Serif (Calibri/Bold) Headings must attract the reader’s attention with preference to Sans Serif (Calibri/Bold). Reverse typeface (e.g. White type on Black/Blue) is acceptable but must not be overdone. By-lines’ 12pt Sans Serif (e.g. Calibri/Bold/Italic Font ) Articles comprising two (2) or more pages should start from the left-hand page thereby providing a spreadsheet to the reader. Where the article ends on an odd page, a single page Article will complete an even spreadsheet. Text Articles are to be primarily set in 12pt Serif typeface (e.g. Times New Roman) with 1.1sp to be expanded to a maximum of 1.19sp. Pictures are to be placed in such a way as to balance the page.
Drop Cap is achieved by going to Format (Text Box Tools/Drop Cap/Custom Drop Cap/selecting size of letter (3) then clicking OK. Paragraph Spacing No spacing between paragraphs. Add Paragraph Sub Headings (bold same size as text type), Photographs, Symbols and/or ‘White Space’ as necessary to break up reading, otherwise stories read like a book. With long stories (more than 3 or 4 pages), try and break reading up by means of other stories and/or ‘fillers’. Hyphens. No two HYPHENS under each other at end of line. No Single line over page or under/above photographs. Captions to all pictures 12pt Sans Serif (e.g. Calibri Bold). Ships names in italics. Exception is where it is self explanatory. Captions may be embedded within photograph—colour used depends on colour of picture. Majority of pics in newspapers/magazines have Captions. Border around picture 1pt to make it sharper where appropriate. . Space around photos from text .3 - .5cm
All pictures to point to the column break (gutter) and/or spine if full picture. This is done by flipping the pic horizontally if necessary. The exception is where numbers, name or medals etc are then shown to be incorrect . Maybe appropriate to source other picture or move pic. Paragraph ident .5 cm except first line. First line of first paragraph needs to be adjusted manually. Lead paragraph either a bold paragraph or a Normal paragraph with a Drop Cap.
Space between text and border .3 - .5cm No white space at bottom of page – use a filler, pic or symbol. If not large enough to fill with an item then use line spacing to a maximum of 1.19sp Insert heavy line separation or border around following story to separate articles on same page. Articles to be written in Third Person where possible .
Adjusting Spacing. Within text Home/Paragraph/ Between Line (1sp—1.19sp). Between Paragraphs to space (leading as known in trade) Home/Paragraph above or below paragraph adjust pts as necessary to align or fit . Spelling - Grammar. Sea and Aviation Terminology? (e.g. check official Aviation books, Seamanship Manual, ask a Specialist in the profession etc) Basic Principles of good design Alignment: placement of text and graphics so they line up on a page •
Balance: make sure elements are evenly distributed on a page •
White Space: space in your layout and design so that the space has nothing in it. White space can be good if used correctly. Never leave white space at the bottom of a page unless balanced with white space at top.. •
Proximity: objects that are related should be placed close together where possible •
Contrast: using different elements, shapes, and colours to make things stand out •
Unity: all different objects should tie together •
Consistency and repetition: similar design styles and fonts help the reader. In newspapers and books you will notice the text is nearly always in a ‘Serif’ type (e.g. Times New Roman) whereas Headlines, Captions and By-Lines in most cases use ‘Sans Serif’( e.g. Arial, Calibri etc). •
The difference is that ‘Serif’ is easier on the eye because Serifs are semi-structural details or small decorative flourishes on the ends of some of the strokes that make up letters and symbols. Sans serif does not have these details or flourishes. Sans is a French word meaning ‘without’.