Skip to content

Editorial style guidelines

Editorial style guidelines

All web content on Messiah University’s website must follow APA style guidelines to ensure clarity, consistency, and professionalism. This standard applies to grammar, punctuation, and capitalization rules, ensuring that our digital communications reflect the university's academic rigor.

Key guidelines

  • Headings: Use APA style for heading levels, ensuring clear organization (H1 for main titles, H2 for subheadings, etc.). Only the first word and proper nouns should be capitalized in headings (e.g., "Admissions requirements for transfer students").
  • Capitalization: Follow sentence case for titles and headings, capitalizing only the first word and any proper nouns. Avoid overcapitalizing words unless required by APA style (e.g., "president" unless used with a name, "university" when not referring to a specific institution).
  • Tone and Brevity: Keep content concise and user-focused. Use an approachable yet professional tone, reflecting Messiah University’s values of clarity and accessibility.
  • Numbers: Spell out numbers one through nine; use numerals for 10 and above, as per APA guidelines.
  • Citations: When applicable, use APA in-text citations and provide reference lists in the appropriate format, particularly for academic or research-based content.

Web contributors and editors are responsible for adhering to these editorial standards, ensuring a consistent and professional tone across all Messiah University web pages.

For more details, refer to the APA Style Manual and Messiah University’s Editorial Guidelines.