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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.

North Carolina State University Foundation, Inc.

The North Carolina State University Foundation, Inc., exists solely to promote the welfare and future development of the university in its educational and scientific purposes, to seek and receive private gifts for the benefit of NC State and to prudently manage the investment and disbursement of these assets to advance the university’s mission.

In article 1, section 1 of the foundation’s bylaws, the foundation’s name is declared to be “North Carolina State University Foundation, Inc.” It is not necessary to use “Inc.” with every mention of the foundation, but if you do, for legal reasons be sure to use the comma preceding “Inc.,” in a departure from AP style.

NC State editorial style specifies that “NC State University” and “NC State” are both acceptable abbreviations of the university’s full name. Thus, “NC State University Foundation” and “NC State Foundation” are acceptable forms of the foundation’s name.

However, NC State editorial style also specifies that “NCSU” is no longer an acceptable abbreviation of the university’s name. For that reason, “NCSU Foundation” is not an acceptable abbreviation of the foundation’s name.

The NC State University Foundation is recognized as a 501(c)(3) public charitable organization. Donations to the NC State University Foundation are deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Nubian Message

The Nubian Message is a student-run paper that strives to be the African-American voice on NC State’s campus.

Pack

Pack can be used as an abbreviation for “Wolfpack” in copy outside of trademarked or branded products. Pack is a singular noun that takes a singular verb and pronoun.

  • Correct: The Pack is a community of NC State students, alumni and fans.
  • Correct: Members of the Pack are meeting at the Belltower on Friday.
  • Incorrect: The Pack are meeting at the Belltower on Friday.

Park Scholarships

Through the generosity of the Park Foundation, NC State offers full-expense four-year Park Scholarships named for distinguished alumnus Roy H. Park.

possessives

In accordance with AP style, use the following rules to form possessives:

  • In singular and plural nouns that don’t end in s, add ’s: the author’s book, the children’s toys
  • In singular nouns that end in s, add ’s: the virus’s spread, the bus’s route
  • In plural nouns that end in s, add only an apostrophe: the authors’ books, the professors’ partnership
  • In proper nouns that end in s, add only an apostrophe: James’ coat, Odysseus’ journey
  • In accordance with the rule stated in the previous bulleted point, for NC State college acronyms that end in s, add only a single apostrophe at the end: CALS’ students, CHASS’ faculty

professor

In a deviation from AP style, capitalize when the term precedes a name; lowercase when it follows a name or when used alone.

  • Correct: Professor Lawrence Apple teaches TID 501.
  • Correct: Lawrence Apple, professor emeritus of international programs, teaches TID 501.
  • Correct: John Kessel is a professor of creative writing and American literature.
  • Incorrect: John Kessel is a Professor of creative writing and American literature.

professorships and scholarships
  • Arthur Fu was a Caldwell Scholar.
  • Clement Markert was named Distinguished University Research Professor.
  • Distinguished University Research Professor Donald Bitzer enjoys windsurfing.
  • Dr. Jay Narayan is the John C.C. Fan Family Distinguished Professor of Materials Science and Engineering.

provost

In 2016, the official name of the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor changed to become:

Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost

In formal communications, use the office’s full title on first reference, and use Office of the Provost in subsequent references. In informal communications, such as conversations or emails with colleagues, Provost’s Office may be used.

Similarly, when referring to the provost by name, use Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Warwick Arden on first reference and Provost Arden in subsequent references. Capitalize the title when used before the provost’s name; lowercase after the name (unless in a formal or ceremonial list; see capitalization entry) or when used alone. Do not use the shorthand abbreviation EVCP in either formal or informal communications.

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.

red and white

NC State’s official school colors since 1896. The original school colors were pink and blue, in honor of the two most popular literary societies in the school’s early years. Brown and white were used for two years (1894-95) until red and white replaced them in a vote of the student body.