Style Matters

4 February, 2005 — The Division of Institutional Advancement has created the university's first style and usage manual (http://www.jsu.edu/news/jsustylebook/) to promote consistency in university publications. To promote awareness of the new guidelines, which are based on the 15th edition of The Chicago Manual of Style, beginning today the University News Bureau will offer occasional comments on style in this space.

To begin the series, we look at some of the greatest areas of inconsistency found in JSU publications:

SOUTHERNERS — The official name of the Jacksonville State University band is the Southerners, not the Marching Southerners (italics added here for emphasis). The dance line is officially called the Marching Ballerinas.

STATES — Use standard abbreviations for states rather than the United States Postal Service format: Ala. rather than AL, Ga. rather than GA, Miss. rather than MS, Fla. rather than FL, etc.

JUNIOR, ETC. — According to the Chicago Manual, "The abbreviations Jr. and Sr., as well as roman or arabic numerals such as II or 3rd, after a person's name are part of the name and so are retained in connection with any titles or honorifics. Note that these abbreviations are used only with the full name, never with the surname only." Note that commas are no longer needed around Jr. and Sr. but, if used, "must appear both before and after the element." Commas are never used to set off II, III. Example: John Doe III.

FORT— Do not abbreviate the word fort when it's used as part of a proper name. It is Fort Payne, not Ft. Payne. The former Fort McClellan is now called McClellan.

Questions? Please consult JSU's guide at http://www.jsu.edu/news/jsustylebook/ or send e-mail to alharris@jsu.edu.

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