It's All About Consistency
Should I use e-mail or email. Which is correct, Web, WEB, or web? Does it matter if I use a.m. or AM. Is it alumna or alumnus?
If you write for online or print publications, you've likely encountered questions like this. Style guides provide standards to use when you're not sure how a word, abbrieviation, or statement should be spelled, capitalized, or punctuated. This is the official, board-approved Kirkwood writing style guide. Entries apply to all written materials, including the Web.
Why use a Style Guide?
A style guide allows multiple content publishers to render their text, images, and colors consistently throughout the Web site in order to minimize distractions to the reader. For Web and electronic communication at the college, we largely rely on the Associated Press Stylebook (AP) and Webster's New World College Dictionary.
How to use this style guide.
This guide is divided into four sections: (1) a general overview of Web style guidelines, (2) writing for the Web, (3) an alphabetical list of style preferences, and (4) style preferences by subject area.
Questions or Comments:
Like most style guides, this guide is a work in progress. We continually strive for accuracy and completeness and value feedback or suggestions for additions to this guide. Please contact Wendy Good, marketing services coordinator at wgood@kirkwood.edu or 319-398-7137 if you think we should add or change something in this guide.
Other Relevant Kirkwood Community College Guides and Policies:
