Introduction
The Daytona State College Writing Style and Usage Guide is a reference for general writing style and provides answers to College-specific style and usage questions, such as official long and short names for buildings and campuses, precise wording of the institutional mission and values, and a listing of its strategic priorities. These guidelines are intended for use in all nonacademic, published materials that represent the College. The goal is to sustain a common voice that further enhances Daytona State’s credibility, professionalism and image as an institution of higher learning.
Contents
- Style and Usage A - Z
- College Vision, Mission and Values Statements
- Strategic Priorities
- Essential Inclusions for College Publications
- Official Building Names
- Punctuation
- Common Editing Marks
When to use this guide
The guidelines should be used when creating non-academic, non-technical documents that are intended for audiences across the campus and outside the College. This includes communications for campus-wide audiences as well as prospective students, alumni, donors, legislators, businesses and the general public. Specialized kinds of writing such as professional papers, dissertations, technical publications and academic works should conform to the accepted style of the respective discipline.
Often, college staff who must write or edit on behalf of the institution have similar questions regarding style and usage: what to capitalize, how to use abbreviations, when to include periods or apostrophes, how terms specific to the institution should be treated, etc. We've tried to compile the answers to many of these questions into this single resource - an easy reference tool that can improve efficiency.
The guide primarily follows the 2011 edition of the Associated Press Stylebook, used by Marketing & Communications for all official College publications, but does not attempt to duplicate it. It includes a variety of exceptions that make sense for Daytona State College objectives and purposes.
Many thanks to Trisha Mon in the College of Business Administration for her work in compiling much of the content for this guide. If you have a question regarding a word, phrase or grammar concept, please contact Harry Russo - (386) 506-3153.
