there are any number of style books, stunk & white's elements of style, or the NY Times style book-- slightly different than the AP style, or my favorite, the Economist style book (very simple! no periods after Mr or Mrs, very few commas, and yet very clear!) i think the ny times style book (or an abstract) is available on line at NYTimes.com.
any style works, if you are consistant. i went to college as an adult, and one english professor had marked up a paper, and then in the end gave me an A-- she went on to say she didn't like the style, (Economist) but i was consistant, and the meaning was clear.
