Major Journalistic Style Major Journalistic Style RulesRules

PunctuationPunctuation

Punctuation goes inside quotation marksPunctuation goes inside quotation marks

Semi-colons separate two independent Semi-colons separate two independent clauses (not commas)clauses (not commas)

Use commas to separate introductory Use commas to separate introductory statements or quote and attribution.statements or quote and attribution.

No exclamation points!No exclamation points!

AbbreviationsAbbreviations

Months are abbreviated when with a Months are abbreviated when with a numbernumber

Months are spelled out when by Months are spelled out when by themselvesthemselves

Titles are not abbreviatedTitles are not abbreviated

CapitalizationCapitalization

Capitalize official titles before a name or organizations Capitalize official titles before a name or organizations (Head Custodian, Debate Club)(Head Custodian, Debate Club)Do not capitalize titles after a name or unofficial titles Do not capitalize titles after a name or unofficial titles such as “teacher” (Jane Doe, assistant coach)such as “teacher” (Jane Doe, assistant coach)Capitalize names of classes when referring to entire Capitalize names of classes when referring to entire classclassDo not capitalize names of classes when referring to a Do not capitalize names of classes when referring to a portion of the class or an individualportion of the class or an individualCapitalize names of individual courses (Honors Biology) Capitalize names of individual courses (Honors Biology) but not general subjects (science)but not general subjects (science)

same goes for Journalistic Writing vs. journalismsame goes for Journalistic Writing vs. journalism

StyleStyle

Don’t refer to readerDon’t refer to reader

Don’t refer to self (unless type of article Don’t refer to self (unless type of article specifically calls for it, such as in opinion specifically calls for it, such as in opinion or column)or column)

UsageUsage

Less vs. FewerLess vs. Fewer less is for large quantitiesless is for large quantities

I have less self-esteem than she does.I have less self-esteem than she does. fewer is for countable quantitiesfewer is for countable quantities

I have fewer toys than she does.I have fewer toys than she does.

Who vs. ThatWho vs. That ““who” refers to peoplewho” refers to people ““that” refers to thingsthat” refers to things