CF House Style

The Cooper Freelance House Style: Why Consistency is My Craft

As a proofreader and editor, I am often asked, 'Which style guide is the 'correct' one?' The answer, frustratingly, is: None of them (and also all of them). In the UK, we are blessed and cursed with a rich history of competing rules. After 20 years working in publishing and now as a researcher at Oxford, I have curated the CF House Style.

This isn't just a list of preferences; it is a strategic choice for clarity and modern British professionalism. What follows is my reasioning for some of these specific choices and why they matter for your writing.

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The 'Oxford Comma': Why I Leave It Out

You will notice that on this blog, I generally avoid the comma before the final 'and' in a list (e.g., red, white and blue).

The History: While the 'serial comma' is a staple of Oxford University Press, most modern UK journalistic styles (like The Guardian and The Times) have moved away from it to keep text clean and flowing.

My Choice: I prefer a leaner, modern British look. I believe that good writing should rely on clear structure rather than over-punctuation. However, as an editor, I remain flexible; if a specific sentence is truly ambiguous without it, I will tip my hat to tradition and drop one in. But as a rule? We keep it simple.

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The '-ize' vs '-ise' Debate: Choosing Modernity

One of the most enduring debates in UK publishing is whether to use the '-ize' or '-ise' suffix.

The Historical Truth: Contrary to popular belief, '-ize' (as in organise) is not an Americanism. Oxford style has preferred it for over a century because it follows the original Greek root. See my parallel History of Style Guides post for more. 

My Choice: At Cooper Freelance, I have opted for the '-ise' ending. Why? Because in the 21st century, '-ize' looks American (or AI slop) to the average UK reader. Whether it is etymologically 'correct' or not, my job as an editor is to ensure your writing feels natural to your audience. For UK corporate and educational sectors, '-ise' is the undisputed standard of modern British English.

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The Inverted Comma: Why I Use Single Quotes

This is a point of pride for my 'House Style' and a clear marker of British expertise.

The Traditional UK Way: British publishing historically prefers single quotation marks (' ') for ordinary use, reserving double quotes (" ") for a 'quote within a quote'.

My Choice: I have adopted the traditional UK single-quote style for everything on this site. It looks cleaner on the page and immediately signals that you are working with a specialist in British English. I use single quotes for concepts, terminology and 'air quotes'.

Editor's Note: The hallmark of a professional editor isn't just knowing the rules—it's having the consistency to follow them every single time.

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Pedagogy vs. Personality

On my Research Insights page, you will see a focus on academic rigour, but the style remains grounded in these modern British choices. On my Tutoring blog, the style is warmer and more empathetic.

A style guide should never be a cage; it is a foundation. By setting these 'house rules', I am telling my clients exactly what they can expect: modern, clean and unmistakably British editing

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 How CF Publishing Can Help

Identifying the right style is only the first step; maintaining it across a complex document is where the real challenge lies. When you are close to a project, it is easy to become "blind" to the subtle inconsistencies that undermine your professional image.

At CF Publishing, I provide the expert oversight necessary to ensure your work adheres to your chosen style with absolute precision.

• For Authors: I ensure your manuscript meets the exacting standards of traditional UK publishing houses.

• For Businesses: I help you develop or enforce an in-house style that protects your brand’s credibility.

• For Academics: I provide the meticulous eye for detail required for high-stakes research and dissertation proofing.

Let me handle the mechanics of the style guide so you can focus on the impact of your message.