UA EDITORIAL STYLE MANUAL

Introduction

Because our printed and online publications represent the University to the rest of the world, written style and graphic standards are vital parts of our image. We're one institution, and even though our activities are many, it's important that we show unity in the way we present our programs and services. To that end, we've written this style manual for use by editors, proofreaders, and writers at The University of Alabama. For the University's graphic standards, visit our online Visual Identity Guide.

Much of this guide is drawn from The Chicago Manual of Style (CMS), the primary style guide used in the Office of Marketing and Communications. The Associated Press Stylebook (AP) is a good source for spellings of proper names and technical or media-related terminology, as is our preferred dictionary, Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary.

Some on-campus writers and editors, especially those who work in media relations, should use the AP as their primary style guide, with the UA Editorial Style Manual as a secondary reference. One difference between AP style and UA style is that the former doesn't place a comma before the conjunction in a series (e.g., houses, cars and boats). For those writing theses and dissertations, see graduate.ua.edu/thesis/manual for style guidelines.

Although a consistent written style is an important part of the University's image, style isn't substance or creativity. Your writing is your own, even when edited according to the principles outlined in this guide. Think of these style rules as packaging: they don't affect what you put in the box, but they do help ensure that your message—and The University of Alabama's image—will arrive in one piece.