Summary
The American Medical Association (AMA) Manual of Style is one of the most important reference guides for medical and scientific publishing. While the print edition remains widely used, the online AMA Manual offers powerful digital tools including advanced search features, downloadable diagrams, personalised dashboards, quizzes, update lists and teaching resources. These tools help writers, editors, students and instructors apply AMA style accurately and efficiently.
This expanded guide explains how to use the online AMA Manual of Style effectively. It covers subscription options, direct links to AMA resources, the SI Conversion Calculator, update lists, teaching tools and navigation tips. A new PDF guide on searching the Manual helps users overcome earlier usability issues. Whether writing clinical papers, preparing manuscripts for peer review or teaching scientific communication, the online AMA Manual greatly enhances precision and usability.
With accurate style rules, search tools and teaching materials available instantly, the online AMA Manual remains an essential resource for today’s biomedical communicators.
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Online Resources for the American Medical Association Manual of Style
The American Medical Association (AMA) Manual of Style is a leading authority for biomedical and scientific writing. Researchers, clinicians, medical writers, students, and journal editors rely on it to ensure accuracy, clarity, consistency and professionalism in manuscript preparation. While the print edition continues to be widely respected, the online AMA Manual offers an expanded set of digital tools that make writing, editing and teaching scientific communication easier than ever.
Where to Access or Purchase the AMA Manual of Style
The Official AMA Manual of Style website is hosted by Oxford University Press (OUP). Users can access the online platform or purchase the print edition at:
- Online AMA Manual of Style (OUP): https://academic.oup.com/amamanualofstyle
- Print Edition (Global OUP Store): https://global.oup.com/academic/product/ama-manual-of-style-9780190246556
Most writers choose the annual online subscription because it includes search functionality, updates, downloadable figures, and teaching tools not available in the print volume. Institutions and libraries often purchase multi-user licences so that entire departments or laboratories can access AMA guidance.
Why the Online AMA Manual Is More Useful Than Print
The print Manual is excellent for in-depth reading, but the online version offers powerful interactive features. These include:
Advanced Search Functionality
The search tool is one of the greatest strengths of the online Manual. Users can quickly locate terminology rules, reference formats, statistical guidelines, abbreviations, grammar rules or ethical standards with a single keyword search. This eliminates the need to flip through hundreds of pages to find relevant instructions.
Automatic Updates and Corrections
Biomedical terminology, drug names, ethical standards, and statistical guidelines evolve constantly. The online Manual updates content regularly, ensuring that subscribers always access the most current guidance. Print users rely on the downloadable corrections page:
AMA Manual Updates List: https://academic.oup.com/amamanualofstyle/pages/about/updates-to-the-manual
Multiple Content Formats
- On-screen HTML
- Printer-friendly layouts
- PDF downloads for teaching and referencing
These options make the Manual accessible for writers, instructors and editors working in different environments.
Downloadable Figures, Tables and PowerPoint Slides
The online AMA Manual includes downloadable diagrams, tables and reference charts. Users can save these as:
- PDF files for printing or sharing, and
- PowerPoint slides for teaching scientific writing courses or giving workshops.
These ready-made teaching tools save time and improve instructional consistency.
Personalised Dashboard and Saved Annotations
Subscribers can create custom toolkits within the online Manual. Features include:
- saving frequently used chapters,
- bookmarking rules,
- creating personalised notes,
- saving search histories for quick access.
This system functions like a personal style guide, allowing writers and editors to access their most-used rules instantly.
SI Conversion Calculator (Free Access)
The AMA Manual provides a dedicated SI Conversion Calculator—an essential resource for biomedical writing, especially clinical laboratory reporting.
SI Conversion Calculator: https://www.amamanualofstyle.com/page/si-conversion-calculator
This tool includes conversion charts, definitions and measurement guidelines for common laboratory values, helping ensure accuracy in clinical manuscripts.
Monthly Quizzes and Teaching Resources
The online Manual includes interactive quizzes designed to test and reinforce knowledge of difficult style elements such as hyphenation, anatomical terminology, publication ethics and statistical expression.
Many quizzes (including answers) are open access:
AMA Style Quizzes: https://academic.oup.com/amamanualofstyle/pages/style-quizzes
These downloadable PDF quizzes are excellent for:
- medical writing instructors,
- editorial training,
- student workshops,
- self-study before manuscript submission.
Site Tour & Table of Contents
New users may explore the Manual via the official online site tour:
AMA Manual Quick Tips / Site Intro: https://guides.lib.uw.edu/hsl/ama/tips
The Table of Contents can be viewed without a subscription:
Manual Table of Contents: View the full Table of Contents
Improving Navigation: “Searching the AMA Manual Online” Guide
Earlier surveys suggested that some users found the online platform difficult to navigate. In response, the AMA team created a downloadable PDF titled “Searching the AMA Manual of Style Online.” This guide explains:
- four main search strategies,
- how to refine search results,
- how to explore linked rules and examples,
- how to use filtering tools effectively.
The guide can be accessed from the AMA Manual support area.
Conclusion
The online AMA Manual of Style is an indispensable resource for anyone engaged in scientific, medical or technical writing. Its advanced search engine, downloadable teaching materials, personalised workspace, SI conversion tools and continuously updated guidance make it far more powerful than the print edition alone. Whether you are preparing a clinical case report, developing a manuscript for peer review or teaching medical writing, the online AMA Manual supports accuracy, professionalism and clarity at every stage.
If you need expert help ensuring your manuscript adheres precisely to AMA style—or want support with grammar, organisation or scientific clarity—our journal article editing and manuscript editing services can ensure that your writing meets the highest editorial and scientific standards.
