Style Guide for Government Communications - …

1 APRIL 2013 Style Guidefor Government CommunicationsCompanion document to the Communications Reference ManualCommunications- 1 on Writing .the .. Misused 2 -This Style Guide is intended for use by all Provincial Government communicators. It is a companion document to the Communications Reference Manual. It provides the standard to which all Government publications including annual reports, strategic plans, activity plans, discussion papers associated with consultations, strategy documents and position frameworks should be crafted to maintain consistency across all Government departments. It is also full of helpful tips, solutions to common confusions, and simple strategies to keep your writing clear, interesting and Press (CP) StyleFor the most part, Provincial Government communicators follow CP Style .

2 Editions of the Canadian Press Stylebook and Canadian Press Caps and Spelling Guide are available within every department s Communications to CP StyleThere are some exceptions to CP Style when used for Provincial Government Communications . Those exceptions and many other helpful tips can be found in this 3 -Use the active voice. Always aim for active sentence ,. ( ),. ,. statements in positive form. Make definite ,. (Actor)VerbObject- 4 -Omit needless words. If I d had more time to write, I would ve written less. ,. ;.rather,. * ( ) (doubtless) * Elements of (1918). ,. ,. ,. ,. good attention to your : Join two-word adjectives with a hyphen.

3 ,. ,. 5 - Use that and which :o show that opened at the Arts and Culture Centre last week;o show, which only cost $1,000 to produce, is a classic example of creative Which ;. Use punctuation ,. ,. (.;.). ( ). ,. ,. ;. ,. ,. for your : Use plain language. Avoid complex words. :amalgamatecombine;.merge;.join;.unitepr ocureget;.obtain- 6 -reiteraterepeat;.restate;. ;.controlharmonizetogether;. ;. Avoid ;. ;. ;.spokespersonsinfrastructureroads,.brid ges,.sewers,. ,. ( ) ;. 7 -CapitalizationThese capitalization rules apply to all Provincial Government ,. ,. ,. ,. :. Capitalize all proper nouns/names, trade names, Government departments and agencies of Government , names of associations, companies, clubs, religions, languages, nations, races, places, and addresses.

4 Do not capitalize:o ( ,. );o ,.area,. ( ,. );o (department,.federal,. Communications ,.oc eans). : Write headlines in title case / capitalize. Nouns,.pronouns,.verbs,.adjectives,.adve rbs,. ,. ( ,. ,. ). Capitalize:o ,. ( ,. ,. );o Government ;. 8 -o ( ,. ,. );o ; : Use Canadian ,. :o ,.labour,. ;.however,. ;o ;.o , metre, and ,. ( ). Spell out numbers below ( . ,. ,.etc.). Spell out any number that begins a hundred guests attended the event to witness more than 20 performances over three days. Place commas within numbers 1,000 and higher. ,500,.250,000,. ,000, Spell per cent as two words. ( ). Do not suffix 23,. ( Annual Farmer s Festival).

5 Express a fiscal year in the format 2011-12. Express monetary figures as follows:o ( );o Otherwise,. (Write.$30, );o ,.write.$10 million,.$ billion,. 9 -Use of abbreviations and acronyms For the most part, do not 31,. 31st;.however,. John Smith,. John Avoid the use of :o ,. Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).. ;o ,. It. is. use. are. ,.such. ,.CBC,. : ,. of the House of : ,. and ,. & Development Corporation,. & and Courtesy Titles Use professional titles for the Premier and ministers :o Honourable,. Honourable Jane Smith, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador;.or,.the Honourable John Doe, Minister of Fisheries and.

6 Smith;.or,.Minister 10 -First ReferenceSecond ,. ,. , . Use courtesy titles only when ,.Mrs.,. ;.however,. ,. Doe, Executive Director of The Universe ,. ReferenceSecond ,. ,. Place ministerial titles in the correct ,. ,. :..The Doe, Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services and MHA of Trinity-Bay de Italicize proper names of all Provincial Government Protection Act. Italicize the titles of major works, as well as umbrella frameworks and Healthy Aging Policy Framework,. ,. 11 - Use of flowery ( ). ;. Use of ,.acronyms,. ,. Proofing errors.. ,.. ,. Excessive quoting. ;. ,. Excessive information. ,. ,. Point of view.

7 Our province s natural resources sector is doing better than ever, said the ,. The Premier says that our province is doing better than ever. Passive language. ,.. Inconsistencies. ,. ,. ,. Press Press Caps and 12 -AcceptExceptAccept Except ,. ,. , ,. ,.effect,. ,. ,. , ,. ,. indifference at the poker , ,. ,.affect,. ,. ,.music,. :. ,. supposed to be,. An illusion 13 ( ). ,. ,. ,. ,. ,. ;. ,.enhance,. 14 ;. , ,. ,. ,. ,.March,. ,. ,.April,. ,. ,. ,. , literally,. ,. ,. ,. you ,. ,.money,. gratia.( ). est.( ). 15 ,. ,. ,. 16 -ItsIt ,. ,. , , ,. ,. one in order or show that opened at the Arts and Culture Centre last week; show, which only cost $1,000 to produce, is a classic example of creative.

8 17 ;.therefore,. unique,.really unique,. ,. ,. sWhose