Any entity that publishes information on a regular or professional basis uses an editorial style guide (a set of rules for punctuation, spelling, abbreviation, capitalization and grammar). This guide will not answer all your questions or tell you how to spell every word, but it will give you a foundation upon which to base your own writing decisions and help improve the clarity and consistency of all written university communication.
The Creative Services Group (CSG) has assembled these guidelines using the rules set in place by the Associated Press (AP) as its primary authority because much of our writing is intended for external readers — prospective students and their parents, donors, business leaders, news media and the public. To that we have added rules of use for terms that are specific to Johnson & Wales University (JWU) because we also write for readers already familiar with JWU — students, faculty, staff and alumni.
The JWU Editorial Style guide is to be used for all written communication (including print and web) intended for internal university and external audiences. Universitywide consistency in writing style builds the credibility and effectiveness of our media and greatly enhances our audiences’ understanding of JWU.
Any department that composes correspondence or other written documents should have a copy of the most recent edition of the “AP Stylebook.” It is available from AP, at most book retailers or through a JWU bookstore. “Random House Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary” (www.dictionary.com) is used to determine correct spelling.
The Editorial Style Guide will be updated annually. Direct all questions to Jennifer Brouillard, senior writer-editor, 401-598-2355.
Symbol Key