Editorial Style
Following NC State's editorial style lends your writing a professional sheen and ensures a consistent experience for all of our readers.
Clear, Consistent Writing
Editorial style is a set of rules that tells you what to do when there's more than one "correct" way to write something. Examples include determining which words to capitalize in a headline or when to spell out a number versus using a numeral. Without a clear-cut set of style guidelines, writers often address these situations in inconsistent and contradictory ways, which undermines their credibility.
NC State’s editorial style is based on The Associated Press Stylebook, with exceptions and additions as noted below. When AP style conflicts with NC State's own guidelines, you should follow the latter. To resolve questions of spelling, AP recommends using Merriam-Webster.
You should follow these rules far more often than not. However, situations may arise when bending a rule makes more sense than following it. Clarity and consistency are the most important considerations.
Use the search bar or index to find a specific editorial style reference.
quotation marks
In addition to their use in enclosing quoted matter, quotation marks are also used to enclose the titles of shorter works or works that are part of a larger work. Thus, the title of a book is italicized, and the title of a chapter in that book is set in quotation marks. (This style point differs from AP.) The same holds true for songs on an album, poems in a book of poetry, television episodes that appear as part of a television series, blog posts on a blog, articles in a magazine or journal, and the like.
“Shut the Door, Have a Seat” was one of the most highly rated episodes of the TV show Mad Men.
The study is referenced in the article “Green Tech Goes Global” in the latest issue of U.S. News & World Report.
Chapter 2 of her book, “Building a Legacy,” explains how the successful alumna decided to give back to her alma mater.