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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 College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts

The official name of the school that eventually became NC State, which was founded in 1887. In 1918 the name was formally changed to North Carolina State College of Agriculture and Engineering. In 1963 the name was changed to the University of North Carolina at Raleigh, causing students and alumni to protest. In 1965, the name was officially changed to North Carolina State University at Raleigh, although the final two words are rarely used in reference to the school.

North Carolina State University
  • “North Carolina State University at Raleigh” is the full, official name of our institution and may be written when explicitly required on official documents. Writers and editors should otherwise avoid using this name because of the implication that another branch of North Carolina State University exists in another city.
  • “North Carolina State University” is one of the two preferred forms of the university’s full name. This form should be used on first reference in news releases and formal or ceremonial texts; and in other situations when a more formal tone is appropriate.
  • “NC State University” is the other preferred form of the university’s full name. This form should be used on first reference in material aimed at high school students and undergraduates, most advertisements and other situations when a more familiar tone is appropriate.
  • “NC State” is the preferred second reference in all situations, mainly used as a noun (e.g., “Welcome to NC State”). Because “university” is missing from this short form, be careful when using it as an adjective; i.e., “NC State Department of . . .” may be confused with a department of the government of the state of North Carolina.
  • “The university” is an acceptable third 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

AP style uses the following rules:

  • 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

    • 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.