"Standard format for architectural working drawings" by William J. O'Connell is a technical handbook designed to establish and promote a standardized system for creating architectural drawings. Published in 1968, the book was a crucial resource during a period when the industry was seeking to improve communication and efficiency on construction projects. O'Connell, an Associate Professor of Architecture at the University of Illinois, Urbana, draws on his academic and professional experience to provide a clear, methodical guide.

The book's central theme is the importance of uniformity and clarity in architectural documentation. It provides a detailed framework for organizing an entire set of working drawings, from cover sheets and indexes to floor plans, sections, and elevations. It also offers guidance on the correct use of line weights, scales, symbols, and annotations to ensure that every drawing is unambiguous and easy to interpret by builders, engineers, and contractors. The book's principles, while rooted in the practices of manual drafting, laid the groundwork for the standards that would later be adopted in the digital age. It is a foundational text on the professional practice of architectural documentation.