love those style rulings...

Here's an example of some of the thrilling issues editorial types are grappling with on a daily basis. Just got this from one of our editorial supervisors...

Here is an entry from the style manual regarding a minor style issue that in some resources easily becomes a major pain.

11. Use the word see when directing a reader to a reference but not quoting the
passage.
The earth God had created was ready for population. God created animals.
(See Gen. 1:20-25,31.)
Note: In the above example, the parenthetic expression is an independent sentence standing alone. Therefore, capitalize the first word and include a period inside the parentheses. However, if the parenthetic expression, even if it could stand alone as a sentence, occurs within a sentence, do not capitalize it and do not include a period.The fact that it is repeated so often during this creation account (see vv. 7,9,11,15) underscores its significance. [p. 32 of LifeWay Style Manual]

The question is whether the use of the word "see" is required in all parenthetical biblical references (cross references, support references, and so forth) that are not quotations. Some of our resources contain numerous parenthetical biblical references in which adding the word "see" each time would become cumbersome and, frankly, unnecessary for clarity. Occasionally, on the other hand, adding the word "see" is needed to clarify the purpose of parenthetical information for readers.

Here is my recommendation for editorial teams in Leadership and Adult Publishing on the issue of "to see or not to see":

Use of the word "see" is not required in most parenthetical biblical references, but its use is recommended in cases where adding the word clarifies the purpose of the parenthetical information. When the word "see" is included in parenthetical references, follow the Style Manual in terms of whether to capitalize the first word and placing a period at the end of the information.

I also recommend that if this style question is an issue for your editorial team, then discuss it as a team and decide on how you can be most consistent within your team's resources.

Gets the blood pumping, doesn't it?

Comments

[derick]

Hmmmm... I think I used the word 'see' in parenthetical reference to biblical references at least 3 times in my latest article. (See "Relationship Building Blocks.)

Hopefully you can make needed corrections or changes before publication!

Sorry ... d

[john]

balderdash
now there is a word our generation has not fully embraced

all over to see or not to see
hee hee