consistency Writers Style Guide A-to-Z guide for written communications at the University August 2007 consistency [kuhn-sis-tuhn-see] 1. adherence to the same principles 2. agreement, harmony, or compatibility 3. holding together and retaining form Colorado State University Writers Style Guide About this style guide The Colorado State University Writers Style Guide supplements The Associated Press Stylebook and addresses editorial questions specific to the University. This guide is intended to facilitate consistency in written communications geared to the general public and is not intended for students or faculty members writing academic papers. Communications targeted to scientific, technical, or specific audiences or for the Web may require a different style. In addition to The Associated Press Stylebook (hereafter called the AP Stylebook), Colorado State communications specialists also consult other sources, including The Gregg Reference Manual: A Manual of Style, Grammar, Usage, and Formatting by William A. Sabin. For spelling, rely on Webster’s New World College Dictionary. Consult the Colorado State University Communications Toolbox at http://ccs.colostate.edu for communications and graphic standards specific to the University. (See also the section on References and Links on Page 94.) Written communication is dynamic and continually evolving; therefore, this guide is subject to periodic updating. Revised versions of the Colorado State University Writers Style Guide will be announced on this website and via electronic media including Today@Colorado State and the University’s main Web page at http://www.colostate. edu. Contact Communications and Creative Services with questions and comments or for information about style editing services: Communications and Creative Services Colorado State University 271 Aylesworth Hall S.W. 6025 Campus Delivery Fort Collins, CO 80523-6025 Phone: (970) 491-6432 Fax: (970) 491-6433 www.ccs.colostate.edu August 2007 Colorado State University Writers Style Guide August 2007 Contents A ............................................................................................................................................................................ 1 a, per ..................................................................................................................................................................... 1 abbreviations ........................................................................................................................................................ 1 abbreviations of foreign phrases .......................................................................................................................... 2 academic degrees ................................................................................................................................................ 2 academic departments, colleges, offices ............................................................................................................ 3 academic titles ..................................................................................................................................................... 3 acronyms .............................................................................................................................................................. 4 addresses ............................................................................................................................................................ 5 adviser ................................................................................................................................................................. 6 affect, effect ......................................................................................................................................................... 7 African American ................................................................................................................................................. 7 ages ..................................................................................................................................................................... 7 alumni .................................................................................................................................................................. 7 a.m., p.m. ............................................................................................................................................................. 8 among, between ................................................................................................................................................... 8 ampersand (&) .................................................................................................................................................... 8 Anglo ................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Asian American ................................................................................................................................................... 8 assure, ensure, insure .......................................................................................................................................... 8 athletics ............................................................................................................................................................... 8 awards, fellowships, medals, prizes, scholarships ............................................................................................. 9 B .......................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science .............................................................................................................. 10 beside, besides .................................................................................................................................................. 10 black, Black American ....................................................................................................................................... 10 blog .................................................................................................................................................................... 10 board .................................................................................................................................................................. 10 Board of Governors of the Colorado State University System .......................................................................... 10 book titles .......................................................................................................................................................... 10 buildings, places ................................................................................................................................................ 11 Business Reply Mail ........................................................................................................................................... 11 C .......................................................................................................................................................................... 12 Cabinet .............................................................................................................................................................. 12 capitalization ....................................................................................................................................................... 12 Caucasian, white ............................................................................................................................................... 14 century ............................................................................................................................................................... 15 chairman, chairwoman ....................................................................................................................................... 15 chapters ............................................................................................................................................................. 15 Chicano, Chicana .............................................................................................................................................. 15 cities ................................................................................................................................................................... 15 colleges .............................................................................................................................................................. 15 Colorado State University .................................................................................................................................. 16 Colorado State University Extension ................................................................................................................ 16 Colorado State University System .................................................................................................................... 16 commas ............................................................................................................................................................