Introduction

• Audience
• Why do we need a style guide?
• Sources
• Message from President Stephen L. Weber

Audience

This style guide provides standards for communications professionals who write and edit San Diego State University publications. Faculty or staff writing for scholarly publications, however, should comply with specified academic style manuals.

Why do we need a style guide?

• Which is correct: campuswide or campus-wide? [answer] Open Air Theater or Theatre? [answer]
  
  
• Should I capitalize the word "university" when referring to SDSU? [answer]

If your work involves SDSU publications (printed or online), you often run into questions like these. This style guide is here to provide answers.

Style, in this context, does not mean not literary style but the mechanics of written language. This style guide exists to establish rules that promote uniformity, clarity and professionalism in SDSU communications.

• Consistency: so readers aren't distracted from your message by variations in spelling, punctuation, usage. ("Usage" refers to the correct use of words.)
• Common standards: so editors need not reinvent a rule for each new publication or writer.
• An agreed-upon style: so campus publications may achieve a common "voice."

Sources

In general, this style guide looks to The Associated Press (AP) Stylebook (Associated Press, New York, N.Y.) and Webster's Third New International Dictionary (Merriam-Webster Inc., Springfield, MA) for guidance in word usage, spelling, grammar, capitalization, professional titles, punctuation, spelling, hyphenation and word breaks. SDSU has adopted the AP Stylebook as the university's official style manual for publications targeting media and other external and internal audiences. All SDSU communications professionals should keep an updated copy of the AP Stylebook on their desks.

Message from President Stephen L. Weber

With the advent of Web and desktop publishing, it is easier than ever to produce and disseminate written material. It is important that campus communications present a consistent, uniform and professional image. Strengthening the effectiveness of university communications promotes our common goals and advances SDSU's mission. This style guide provides a valuable tool toward achieving these important ends.