Writing Style Guide

Writing Style Guide

When editors refer to style, they usually do not mean an individual's writing style; they mean editorial style—the guidelines a publisher uses to enhance the reader's understanding. Editorial style includes the consistent use of spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and abbreviations, as well as the selection of headings and the use of numbers. These guidelines are often called "conventions" because they represent a conventional presentation used in publishing.

CSU, Chico publishes about 700 publications annually. To assist campus writers and editors in producing effective publications, the University created The California State University, Chico Publication Guide. The University uses The Chicago Manual of Style (15th edition), Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual, and Webster's Third New International Dictionary (and its chief abridgment, Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 11th edition) as primary sources.

The university publications editor is available to help campus writers and editors with these conventions. If you have questions, please call x4139.

To access the contents of the guide, click on the links below.

Contents (alphabetical)

abbreviations - course work | dashes - numbers | off-campus - wordiness