Article Title: Quiet quitting: why some workers are doing the bare minimum at work
Source: The Conversation UK (Creative Commons, 2022)
Objective: Demonstrate editorial refinement using Oxford Style (as outlined
in New Hart’s Rules), focusing on British spelling, punctuation, and
clarity.
Focus Areas: Oxford comma, single quotation marks, and minimalist punctuation.
The Challenge
This first-person reflection on workplace burnout was insightful but required structural tightening and more consistent tone across sections.
The Editorial Focus
Rooted in Oxford Style, the edits balanced British English conventions
with natural storytelling to guide rhythm, clarity, and professional nuance.
Before and After Comparison Table
| Original | Edited |
| The term “quiet quitting” has recently gained popularity on social media and in the news. | The term ‘quiet quitting’ has recently gained popularity on social media and in the news. |
| It refers to employees who are not outright quitting their jobs, but are instead limiting their tasks to those strictly within their job descriptions. | It refers to employees who are not outright quitting their jobs but are instead limiting their tasks to those strictly within their job descriptions. |
| They are still performing their duties, but not subscribing to “work is life” culture to guide their career and stand out to their superiors. | They are still performing their duties, but not subscribing to the ‘work is life’ culture to guide their career and stand out to their superiors. |
| In other words, they stick to what’s in their job description and nothing more. | In other words, they stick to what is in their job description and nothing more. |
| This trend has sparked debate among employers and employees alike. | This trend has sparked debate among employers and employees alike. |
| Some see it as a healthy rebalancing of work and life, while others view it as a sign of disengagement. | Some see it as a healthy rebalancing of work and life, while others view it as a sign of disengagement. |
| The term itself is misleading—these employees are not quitting, but rather redefining the boundaries of their roles. | The term itself is misleading – these employees are not quitting but rather redefining the boundaries of their roles. |
| It is a response to burnout, unrealistic expectations and the erosion of work-life balance. | It is a response to burnout, unrealistic expectations, and the erosion of work–life balance. |
| Quiet quitting is not about laziness; it is about self-preservation. | Quiet quitting is not about laziness; it is about self-preservation. |
| It reflects a growing awareness that constant overperformance is unsustainable. | It reflects a growing awareness that constant overperformance is unsustainable. |
| By doing what is required—no more, no less—workers are reclaiming their time and mental health. | By doing what is required – no more, no less – workers are reclaiming their time and mental health. |
| Employers, in turn, are being challenged to rethink how they define productivity and engagement. | Employers, in turn, are being challenged to rethink how they define productivity and engagement. |
Alignment Notes
Reflections
This case study demonstrates how Oxford Style brings clarity, consistency, and typographic elegance to contemporary editorial content. By applying single quotation marks and the Oxford comma, the revised version maintains a formal yet accessible tone. The use of spaced en rules softens emphatic breaks, while expanded contractions and consistent punctuation elevate the article’s authority. In a topic as emotionally and culturally charged as quiet quitting, these refinements help the message land with greater nuance and professionalism without losing its conversational edge.