UA EDITORIAL STYLE MANUAL

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ellipses

An ellipsis is the omission of words from quoted text. Separate the ellipsis points from each other and from surrounding copy with spaces.

One ellipsis (three spaced periods) indicates the omission of words within a sentence.

No manual we've found answers every question . . . faced by UA editors.

Four dots indicate the omission of the end of a sentence, the first part of the next sentence, or a whole sentence or more (including a whole paragraph).

When using four dots to indicate the omission of the end of a sentence, treat the first dot as the period (i.e., don't put a space between it and the word), even though the period might not fall at that point if the sentence were complete. The quoted passages that precede and follow the four dots need to be grammatically complete. They must be sentences, either alone or as part of the non-quoted copy preceding them. If what you've quoted isn't grammatically complete, use only three dots.

We've compiled lists. . . . We've set down our solutions to style issues. . . . We've based our decisions on . . . the experiences of other editors and proofreaders on campus.

It is usually best to capitalize the first word of a sentence following four dots, regardless of how it's treated in the original text. Ellipsis points should not start on one line and end on the next line.

For other uses of ellipses, or for rules governing their use in scholarly works, consult a style manual appropriate to the discipline.

e-mail (n., adj., v.)

If beginning a sentence or a line in an address: E-mail. Note the hyphen.

e-mail and Web addresses

Present e-mail and Web addresses in lowercase,* roman type:

jsmith@bamared.ua.edu
www.ua.edu

A few systems are case-sensitive in the name field (the part of the address that falls before @). When in doubt, check with the owner of the e-mail address.

Although roman type is preferred, consider using bold type to distinguish an address from surrounding copy.

If the numeral 1 is part of the address, use a typeface in which the numeral is clearly distinguishable from the capital I (i) and lowercase l (L).

Include http:// in Web addresses when other protocols are needed with Web addresses in the same copy.

Avoid breaking e-mail and Web addresses. If the address will not fit on a line, don't add a hyphen or other punctuation. Break before existing punctuation, such as periods, hyphens, slashes, double slashes, "at" symbols, and tildes:

Contact the director via e-mail at jsmith@bamared
.ua.edu or by telephone at (205) 348-0000.

Avoid ending a sentence with an e-mail or Web address. Consider setting off the address via placement, typeface, parentheses, or color, or repeating the address elsewhere.

For more information, contact our director via e-mail (jsmith@bamared.ua.edu).
For more information, contact our director via e-mail:
jsmith@bamared.ua.edu

If you must end a sentence with an e-mail or Web address, go ahead with end punctuation as needed:

The best way to reach the director is via e-mail: jsmith@bamared.ua.edu.

emerita, emeritus, emeriti

Emerita refers to a woman, emeritus to a man, emeriti to a mixed group or to a group of either sex. Place emerita, emeritus, or emerti after the formal title:

Professor Emeritus of English John Smith
but John Smith, professor emeritus of English
President Emerita Jane Doe
Trustees Emeriti of The University of Alabama (as in a headline)
The committee included four professors emeriti.

See also titles, personal.

ensure, insure, assure

Although these words are often used interchangeably, add an extra measure of clarity by making the following distinctions:

Use ensure to mean guarantee.

To ensure each student the best chance for success, we offer the services outlined below.

Use insure when referring to insurance.

The famous pianist insured each of his hands for $1 million.

Use assure to suggest the removal of doubt or worries from a person's mind (as in reassurance).

She assured me Ms. Jones was an experienced editor.

equal-opportunity statements

The University has a responsibility to clearly communicate its commitment to equal opportunity in education and employment and to making its programs and services accessible to those with disabilities. Use these statements [updated August 2003], as appropriate:

Major publications, such as catalogs and long recruitment pieces, collegiate bulletins, employee handbooks, and application forms—

The University of Alabama complies with applicable laws prohibiting discrimination, including Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Executive Order 11246, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veterans Adjustment Assistance Act, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran status in admission or access to, or treatment of employment in, its programs and services. Inquiries and concerns may be directed to Gwendolyn Hood, University Compliance Officer, 171 Rose Administration Building, Box 870300, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0300, (205) 348-5855 (Voice/TDD).

Most other publications, including recruitment publications specific to departments and divisions—

The University of Alabama complies with applicable laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran status in employment or in any program or activity offered by the University. For further information, contact the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs, 171 Rose Administration Building, Box 870300, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0300, (205) 348-5855 (Voice/TDD).

For posters, advertising, and publications in which space is severely limited—

The University of Alabama is an equal-opportunity educational institution/employer.

For University, departmental, or divisional events and activities, someone in the sponsoring department or division should be made responsible for handling requests for accommodations for people with disabilities, and the access statement below should appear in registration materials, invitations, fliers, etc.—

To request disability accommodations, please contact {name, department, address, phone number, e-mail}.

ethnic background categories

For the optional ethnicity portion of applications to University programs, use the following categories:

American Indian/Alaskan Native
Asian
Black/Non-Hispanic
Hispanic
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
White/Non-Hispanic
Other______________

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