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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.

residence hall

University Housing prefers this term rather than dormitory.

seasons

Seasons of the year — spring, summer, winter and fall — are always lowercase, unless:

  • the season is part of the proper name of a person, place or thing;
  • the season is part of a composition title.

Examples:

  • The fall semester begins on Aug. 12.
  • Don’t forget that Spring Fling will be held in March.
  • The Wilson College of Textiles hosts the Summer Textile Exploration Program beginning in June.
  • This luncheon will honor our spring 2026 graduates.
  • There’s always lots to do during Winter Welcome Week.

Shrine Room

The Shrine Room is located in the base of NC State’s Belltower. In a long-standing campus tradition, the class rings of graduating seniors spend a night locked in the Shrine Room before being given to their new owners.

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

This is the body that grants accreditation to NC State University. On second reference, use SACS.

space between sentences

In accordance with AP style, use a single space between sentences.

states

Per AP, spell out state names, whether standing alone or used in conjunction with a city, town or military base.

When giving the name of a U.S. city, upon first reference it is usually necessary to also give the name of the state it’s in: The sophomore quarterback grew up in Lakeland, Florida. This also usually applies to North Carolina cities: Chancellor Howell’s hometown is Shelby, North Carolina. No state name is necessary if the city is one of the designated AP dateline cities listed below:

  • Atlanta
  • Baltimore
  • Boston
  • Chicago
  • Cincinnati
  • Cleveland
  • Dallas
  • Denver
  • Detroit
  • Honolulu
  • Houston
  • Indianapolis
  • Las Vegas
  • Los Angeles
  • Miami
  • Milwaukee
  • Minneapolis
  • New Orleans
  • New York
  • Oklahoma City
  • Philadelphia
  • Phoenix
  • Pittsburgh
  • St. Louis
  • Salt Lake City
  • San Antonio
  • San Diego
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Washington

Stewart Theatre

This performance venue, located on the third floor of Talley Student Union, is operated by University Theatre, a division of Arts NC State. Stewart Theatre seats 759 patrons.

Student Aid Association

This organization provides private financial support for athletics scholarships and facilities at NC State. Its unofficial name is the Wolfpack Club. These two names can be used interchangeably.

student-athlete

Hyphenate the term when referring to a student who participates on one or more of NC State’s 22 NCAA Division I varsity athletics teams.