lightning-bolts/.copy-edit-stylesheet-checklist.md

Basic checklist/stylesheet used for copy editing BOLTs — temporarily included here for reference purposes.

• spelling
• typos
• sentence structure
  • sentence fragments
  • run-on sentences
  • dangling, misplaced modifiers
  • consistent paragraph tense (e.g. past, present, future)
  • passive voice (e.g. avoid 'we')
    • exception: Introduction section
• capitalization
  • table of contents
  • headers
  • commonly forgotten: 'Lightning', 'ID'
  • distinguish between network and currency unit
    • e.g. "The Bitcoin network transfers bitcoins."
• punctuation
  • correct comma, colon, semi-colon, em-dash placement
  • appropriate use of parenthesis
• formatting
  • single spaces between sentences
  • consistent use of emphasis, strong, code, CAPS, 'quotes'
  • single line separators between paragraphs and page elements
  • number values and quantities
    • type digits and enumerations, spell out small (<10) amounts
      • e.g. 'two 2-byte instances set to 0s', 'one 4-byte instance set to 1s', 'the old one is equal to 1 greater than value'
      • exceptions e.g. 'non-zero (digits)'
• list structure
  • 2 spaces before item
  • indent 2 spaces
  • Requirements sections
    • colon after conditions
    • comma before sub-items
    • period at branch ends
    • example:

    A sending node:
        - MAY do this.
        - if this, AND this:
          - SHOULD do this.
        - otherwise:
          - MUST do this,
            - but MUST NOT...in this case.
    

• links
  • broken links
  • link text
  • correct anchors/urls
• references
  • format e.g. ¹
• tags
  • consistent usage, e.g. [TODO:], [FIXME:]