Medical Copyediting: Using the AMA Manual

The AMA Manual of Style is the bible of style and presentation for researchers, writers, editors, copyeditors, proofreaders, and many others involved in the creation and publication of scientific content. The most recent (10th) edition checks in at 1,010 pages and covers a wide range of information, from how to cite reference material to how genes and alleles should be presented. There are several ways to find information in both the print and online manual, from the print index to advanced online searches. Some of the most commonly used chapters are citing references (chapter 3), ethical and legal topics (chapter 5), correct and preferred usage (chapter 11), and nomenclature (chapter 15). Topics of particular concern to copyeditors from these chapters will be highlighted, as well as several other noteworthy style topics, such as whether eponyms should take the possessive form (Alzheimer’s) or not (Alzheimer). In addition, the manual’s official website, blog, and Twitter account provide clarification of style rules as well as sources of updates and new style decisions/policies.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• What content is included in the manual
• The various and most efficient ways to find information in the manual
• Some of the most common sections referred to by users
• Online tools and special features