Generally speaking, spell out numbers one through nine, and use numerals for 10 and above. However, there are a number of exceptions to this general rule. The basic rules and exceptions are presented below, but many more details and examples are available at the AP Stylebook entry on numbers.

Spell out numbers one through nine:

• She earned three degrees from NC State.

There are a number of exceptions to this rule. Always use numerals in the following instances:

• Ages: a 6-year-old girl; the law is 8 years old; the 7-year-old house. 
• Decimals, percentages, fractions: 7.2 quake, 3½ laps, 3.7% interest. 
• Dimensions: She is 5 feet, 6 inches tall.
• Distances: He walked 4 miles. She missed a 3-foot putt. 
• Millions, billions, trillions: 1 million people; $2 billion.
• Money: 8 cents, $3
• Speed: 55 miles per hour 
• Temperature: 20 degrees

Use numerals for 10 and above:

• Kevin Howell is NC State’s 15th chancellor.

There are a few exceptions to this rule. Always spell out numbers in the following instances:

• At the start of a sentence — Twenty-five students registered for the course.
• In casual, colloquial turns of phrase — one in a million
• In literary or special uses — four score and twenty years ago

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.

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

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

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.

When the full, proper, official name of a named, endowed or distinguished professorship or scholarship is used, the full name is capitalized in headline style, no matter how it is used or where it appears.

• Jane Smith was a Caldwell Scholar.
• Jane Smith was named a Distinguished University Research Professor.
• Distinguished University Research Professor Jane Smith enjoys windsurfing.
• Jane Smith is the John C.C. Fan Family Distinguished Professor of Materials Science and Engineering.

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 Jim Pfaendtner on first reference and Provost Pfaendtner 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.

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.

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.

University Housing prefers this term rather than dormitory.