Editorial Style Guide - Hofstra University

EDITORIAL STYLE GUIDE 2021/2022

• CHOOSING A STYLE [The Associated Press Stylebook, 55th Edition | The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th Edition] • RECOMMENDED STYLE [Titles | Capitalization Guidelines | Punctuation Rules, With Examples | Numerals | Alphabetizing | Attribution | Bulleted Lists | Captions | Contact Information | Initials] • WRITING STYLE [Diction | Transitions | Formality | Gender-Inclusive Language | Disability-Inclusive Language | Concise Writing] • HOFSTRA-SPECIFIC EDITORIAL MATTERS [Academic Degrees | Acronyms and Initialisms | All Caps | Alumni Class Years | Campus Locations | Capitalization | Citation of Hofstra Degrees | Hofstra Email Addresses | Hofstra Web Addresses | Hofstra University and Its Schools and Colleges | LGBTQ+ | Spelling and Usage] • SOME RELEVANT AP STYLEBOOK ENTRIES • WRITING ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS AND COVID-19 • WRITING ABOUT RACE • EDITORIAL SERVICES CONTACT INFORMATION

CHOOSING A STYLE This editorial style guide was created by the Editorial Services Department of Hofstra’s Office of University Relations as a reference tool for Hofstra communicators.

The University follows an editorial style that provides guidelines for capitalization, punctuation, spelling, and grammar. In addition, it has adopted conventions that offer direction in appropriate language, tone, and level of formality. We use The Associated Press Stylebook (AP Stylebook) as our main reference, and we rely on The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) for assistance concerning content that is not covered in AP Stylebook. This editorial style guide covers items writers and content producers will likely encounter and indicates Hofstra exceptions to AP Stylebook or CMOS. This guide is an evolving document, and it will be updated periodically to ensure consistent, high-quality content in all Hofstra publications, in print and online.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS STYLEBOOK, 55TH EDITION With a few exceptions, Hofstra’s Editorial Services Department follows the guidelines of AP Stylebook, an unparalleled source of information for writers and editors. Available in print and online, this stylebook contains entries on the arts, business, the environment, health, people, places, and sports. It also includes information on usage, grammar, capitalization, computer terminology, health and science, social media, sports, food, fashion, and religion.

To keep pace with world events, The Associated Press has produced topical guides for writing about hurricanes, elections, race, and, most recently, COVID-19.

THE CHICAGO MANUAL OF STYLE, 17TH EDITION The Chicago Manual of Style is a comprehensive reference work for authors, editors, copywriters, and designers. With more than 1,000 pages in print, the CMOS editorial staff solicits advice from an advisory board and asks users for suggestions and comments. The 17th edition includes everything from style, grammar, and usage to punctuation, spelling, abbreviations, and citations.

The Editorial Services Department recognizes that some publications may call for a design treatment that demands changes to our chosen style. When this is the case, exceptions are permitted.

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RECOMMENDED STYLE TITLES Italic type is used for major stand-alone works such as books, movies, periodicals, journals, newspapers, plays, television shows, works of art, art exhibitions, symphonies, albums, and operas.

Use quotation marks for smaller works contained within a larger collection, e.g., book chapters, article titles, poems, and song titles.

The titles of courses and generic musical works take neither italics nor quotation marks.

Names of apps, software, board games, and video games take neither italics nor quotation marks.

CAPITALIZATION GUIDELINES AP Stylebook guidelines for capitalization are specific, but fairly simple. In general, the rule is to avoid unnecessary capitals, using a capital letter only if it can be justified by one of the AP Stylebook principles. If there is no listing in the stylebook, please consult MerriamWebster’s online dictionary at merriam-webster.com; use lowercase if the dictionary lists it as an acceptable form for the sense in which the word is being used.

Below are the basic AP Stylebook capitalization rules: Proper nouns: Capitalize nouns that constitute the unique identification for a specific person, place, or thing: John, Mary, Boston, England.

Proper names: Capitalize common nouns such as party, river, street, and west when they are an integral part of the full name for a person, place, or thing: Democratic Party, Republican Party, Mississippi River, Fleet Street. Lowercase these common nouns when they stand alone in subsequent references: the party, the river, the street. Lowercase the common noun elements of names in plural uses: the Democratic and Republican parties, Main and State streets, lakes Erie and Ontario.

Derivatives: Capitalize words that are derived from a proper noun and still depend on it for their meaning: American, Christian, Christianity, English, French, Marxism, Shakespearean.

Lowercase words that are derived from a proper noun but no longer depend on it for their meaning: french fries, herculean, malapropism, pasteurize, quixotic, venetian blind.

Compositions: Capitalize the principal words (including prepositions and conjunctions of four or more letters) in the names of books, movies, plays, poems, operas, songs, radio and television programs, works of art, etc.

Directions and regions: In general, lowercase north, south, northeast, northern, etc., when they indicate compass directions; capitalize these words when they designate regions.

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Academic titles: Capitalize and spell out formal titles such as chancellor, chair, etc., when they precede a name. Lowercase elsewhere. Note: Endowed professorships are capitalized, even when the title follows a name. If following a name, it is preceded by “the” or “Hofstra’s” to avoid confusion.

Professional/job titles: Capitalize formal titles when used immediately before a name.

Lowercase formal titles when used alone or in constructions that set them off from a name by commas. Use lowercase at all times for terms that are job descriptions rather than formal titles. The basic guidelines are as follows: • L owercase: Lowercase and spell out titles when they are not used with an individual’s name: The president issued a statement. The pope gave his blessing. Lowercase and spell out titles in constructions that set them off from a name by commas: Ms. Johnson, senior managing director, will join us at the meeting. The senior managing director, Ms. Johnson, will join us at the meeting.

• F ormal titles: Capitalize formal titles when they are used immediately before one or more names: President John Smith, Dean Jane Miller, Vice Presidents John Jones and William Brown.

• A bbreviated titles: The following formal titles are capitalized and abbreviated as shown when used before a name: Dr., Gov., Lt. Gov., Rep., and Sen. • P ast and future titles: A formal title that an individual formerly held, is about to hold, or holds temporarily is capitalized if used before the person’s name. But do not capitalize the qualifying word: former President John Smith, Attorney General-designate James Davis, acting Mayor Kim Green.

• L ong titles: Separate a long title from a name by a construction that requires a comma: John Smith, the undersecretary for economic affairs, spoke.

PUNCTUATION RULES, WITH EXAMPLES Apostrophe • Plural noun ending in s: Add only an apostrophe: the girls’ toys • Singular noun not ending in s: Add ’s: fox’s den, prince’s life • S ingular common noun ending in s: Add ’s even if the next word begins with s: the hostess’s invitation, the hostess’s seat, the witness’s answer • Singular proper noun ending in s: Use only an apostrophe: Socrates’ life • Multiple letters: Add “s” with no apostrophe: VIPs • Single letters: Add an apostrophe and “s” to avoid confusion: A’s and B’s Note: Personal pronouns (ours, yours, hers, theirs, its, etc.) DO NOT use an apostrophe.

They are already possessive.

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Colon Capitalize the first word after the colon ONLY if it is a proper noun or the start of a complete sentence.

He promised this: The company will never neglect the needs of its employees.

There were three considerations: expense, time, and feasibility.

Comma • U se a comma to separate adjectives equal in rank: a dark, dangerous street.

• D o not use a comma when the last adjective is an integral element of a noun phrase: an expensive fur coat.

• U se a comma after yes and no: Yes, I will go.

Note: Always place commas inside quotation marks.

• W hen a conjunction joins the last two elements in a series of three or more, a comma – known as the serial comma or the Oxford comma – should appear before the conjunction. If the last element consists of a pair joined by and, the pair should still be preceded by a serial comma and the first and. This style prevents ambiguity. (Note that this is an exception to AP Stylebook.)

She took a photograph of her parents, the president, and the vice president.

The lunch options included hamburgers, hot dogs, and peanut butter and jelly.

Note: The phrase as well as is not equivalent to and.

The lunch options included hamburgers, hot dogs, and peanut butter and jelly, as well as turkey sandwiches.

Dash • A brupt change: Through her long reign, the queen and her family have adapted – usually skillfully – to the changing taste of the time.

• S eries within a phrase: He listed the qualities – intelligence, humor, conservatism, independence – that he liked in an executive.

• With spaces: Put a space on both sides of a dash.

Hyphen In general, a compound modifier – two or more words that express a single concept – does not need a hyphen if the modifier is commonly recognized as one phrase, and if the meaning is clear and unambiguous without the hyphen. Examples include: third grade teacher, chocolate chip cookie, early morning traffic, first quarter touchdown, real estate transaction.

Do use a hyphen if it’s needed to make the meaning clear and avoid unintended meanings: small-business owner, better-qualified candidate, free-thinking philosophy, loose-knit group.

Hyphenate well- combinations before a noun, but not after: a well-known judge, but the judge is well known.

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No hyphen is needed to link a two-word phrase that includes the adverb very and all adverbs ending in -ly: a very good time, an easily remembered rule.

Many combinations that are hyphenated before a noun are not hyphenated when they occur after a noun: She works full time. She is well aware of the consequences.

Semicolon • T o clarify a series: He is traveling to the wedding with his son, John, of Chicago; two daughters, Jane and Susan, of Boston; and sister, Martha, of Omaha, Nebraska.

• To link independent clauses: The package was due last week; it arrived today.

Note: Always place semicolons outside quotation marks.

NUMERALS In general, spell out one through nine. Use figures for 10 or above and whenever preceding a unit of measure or referring to ages of people, animals, events, or things. Also use figures in all tabular matter, and in statistical and sequential forms.

Use figures for: Academic course numbers: ENGG 140 Addresses: 210 Main St. Ages: a 6-year-old girl Credits, semester hours: Always use numerals for credits or semester hours, even if the number of credits is less than 10, unless the number begins a sentence.

Dates, years, and decades: Feb. 8, 2007; Class of ’66; the 1950s Dimensions: 5 feet 6 inches tall, 9 feet by 12 feet, 9-by-12 rug (Note: Use decimals to show fractions of whole numbers, e.g., 3.5 inches by 6.25 inches.)

Distances: 4 miles, 6 feet apart Millions, billions, trillions: Use a figure-word combination. 1 million people; $2 billion Rank: He was my No. 1 choice. (Note the abbreviation for “number.”)

Sequential designations: Page 1, Chapter 2, Rooms 3 and 4 Times: 1 p.m., 10:30 a.m. (Use noon and midnight, not 12 a.m. and 12 p.m.)

Spell out for whole numbers nine and lower: Centuries: fifth century, 21st century School grades: fourth grade, fifth grader, 10th grade Time (duration): five minutes, an eight-hour day, 30 minutes, 20 seconds Roman numerals: Roman numerals may be used for wars and to establish personal sequence: World War I, Native Dancer II, King George V.

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ALPHABETIZING Alphabetize word by word. In the word-by-word system, alphabetizing continues only up to the end of the first word (counting hyphenated compounds as one word), using subsequent words only when additional entries begin with the same word. Alphabetizing continues up to the first parenthesis or comma; it starts again after the punctuation. Note: Except for the parenthesis and comma, all other punctuation marks (hyphens, slashes, quotation marks, periods, etc.) are ignored.

Initials: Alphabetize initials used in place of a given name before any spelled-out name beginning with the same letter.

Acronyms, initialisms, abbreviations: Acronyms, initialisms, and most abbreviations are alphabetized as they appear, not according to their spelled-out versions.

Numerals: Isolated entries beginning with numerals are alphabetized as though spelled out. If many entries contain numerals, they may be listed together in numerical order at the beginning of the list.

The: When alphabetizing organizations whose names begin with The, the article is omitted.

Personal names used as corporate names: When used as names of businesses, foundations, scholarships, or other organizations, full personal names are not inverted, and the corporate name is alphabetized according to the first name or initials.

ATTRIBUTION All quotes and facts obtained from other sources should be attributed. Use said or another verb in the past tense when attributing quotes. The speaker usually comes before said to keep the writing in the active voice. “Hofstra is my home away from home,” the student said. The inverted order is acceptable when the speaker is identified with a long title.

“Hofstra’s Center for Career Design and Development is an excellent source of talent,” said John Smith, president of a local technology firm. Note: If a present-tense verb is preferred by the author, be consistent and use the present tense for all attributions.

BULLETED LISTS Bulleted items should begin with a capital letter and end with punctuation only if they are complete sentences. If they are fragments, still capitalize the first word, but drop the ending punctuation. Avoid combining bullets with complete sentences and fragments; rewrite if necessary for consistency.

Use parallel construction for each item in a list: • Start with the same part of speech for each item.

• Use the same voice (active or passive) for each item.

• Use the same verb tense for each item.

• Use the same sentence type (statement, question, exclamation) for each item.

• Use just a phrase for each item, if desired.

Introduce the list with a short phrase or sentence: Our partners: or These are our partners: or Our partners are: Note: Do not use any variation of “and more” as a final bullet.

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CAPTIONS Do not use a period unless it is a complete sentence. To identify people in a photo, use From left: (or, for example, Front row, from left:) and follow with names.

CONTACT INFORMATION It is unnecessary to include the words phone, email, or website with these elements. Fax is used to distinguish from a telephone number.

INITIALS There is no space between initials for a first and middle name.

WRITING STYLE DICTION Diction is a writer’s choice of words, especially with regard to correctness, clearness, and effectiveness. The following word list is provided to bring attention to some common diction errors.

About, Around. About means rather close to, usually referring to time or number (about a year, about five cups). Around is concerned with spatial arrangements (They sat around the table).

Among, Between. The maxim that between introduces two items and among introduces more than two covers most questions about how to use these words. However, between is the correct word when expressing the relationships of three or more items considered one pair at a time: The games between the Yankees, Phillies, and Mets have been exciting.

Anxious, Eager. Anxious means fearful or worried. Eager means showing keen desire.

Assure, Ensure, Insure: Assure means to remove doubt or give confidence. Ensure means to make certain, guarantee. Insure should be used only for references to insurance.

Bad, Badly. Bad should not be used as an adverb. It does not lose its status as an adjective, however, in a sentence such as I feel bad. Such a statement is the idiomatic equivalent of I am in bad health or I am sorry. I feel badly may be interpreted as meaning that your sense of touch is bad.

Character, Reputation: Character refers to moral qualities. Reputation refers to the way a person is regarded by others.

Compose, Comprise: Compose means to create or put together. It may be active or passive. She composed a song. The United States is composed of 50 states. Comprise means to contain or to embrace. It is used in the active voice. As such, the construction “is comprised of” is never correct. The United States comprises 50 states.

Continually, Continuously: Continual means repeated again and again. I was continually interrupted by the telephone. Continuous means uninterrupted. It rained continuously for 48 hours.

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Disinterested, Uninterested. Disinterested means impartial, which is usually the better word to convey the thought. Uninterested means that someone lacks interest.

Farther, Further. Farther refers to physical distance: He walked farther into the woods.

Further refers to an extension of time or degree: She will look further into the mystery.

Fewer, Less. In general, use fewer for individual items, less for bulk or quantity. Fewer than 10 applicants called. (Individuals.) I had less than $50 in my pocket. (An amount.) But: I had fewer than 50 $1 bills in my pocket. (Individual items.)

If, Whether. Use whether, not if, when a reply is expected: Let me know whether you are coming.

Last, Latest. Avoid the use of last as a synonym for latest if it might imply finality. For example, The last announcement was made at noon may leave the reader wondering if the announcement was the final announcement or if others are to follow.

Nonprofit/not-for-profit: Use either; they have the same meaning.

Passed, Past. Passed is the past tense and the past participle of the verb to pass (We passed each other in the hall). Past is an adjective (During the past few years …), a noun (In the past, she was a ballerina), an adverb (She waved as she drove past), or a preposition (Ours if the first house past the school).

TRANSITIONS Transitions are words such as so, however, and thus, which signal relationships between sentences and paragraphs. Transitions help guide the reader from one idea to another.

Commonly Used Transitions To signal sequence: again, also, and then, besides, finally, first … second … third, furthermore, last, moreover, next, still, too To signal time: after a few days, after a while, at that time, before, earlier, in the past, meanwhile, since, so far, soon, then, thereafter, until, when To signal comparison: again, also, in the same way, likewise, once more, similarly To signal contrast: although, but, despite, even though, however, in contrast, instead, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the contrary, regardless, though, yet To signal examples: after all, for example, for instance, indeed, in fact, of course, specifically, such as, the following example, to illustrate To signal cause and effect: accordingly, as a result, because, consequently, for this purpose, hence, so, then, therefore, thus To signal place: above, adjacent to, below, beyond, closer to, elsewhere, far, here, near, nearby, there, to the left, to the right To signal concession: although it is true that, it may appear that, naturally, of course To signal summary, repetition, or conclusion: as a result, as mentioned earlier, in conclusion, in other words, in short, on the whole, therefore, to summarize Note: If sentence after sentence begins with a subject, paragraphs may become monotonous or hard to read. Transitions allow the writer to add variety to sentence openings.

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FORMALITY Check to see that your language reflects the appropriate level of formality for your audience, purpose, and topic. Stuffy or pompous language is unnecessarily formal and often gives writing an insincere tone, making a writer’s ideas seem insignificant or even unbelievable.

Instead of:

Try using:

ascertain find out commence begin finalize finish, complete impact* affect in order to to methodology method optimal best parameters boundaries utilize use *It is best to avoid the use of impact to mean affect. Many journalists disapprove of the use of impact as a verb.

GENDER-INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE The language in Hofstra publications must help build inclusive communities of students and employees. Gender-inclusive language is all about respect for differences, and using such language demonstrates that the University wants to create and support an environment that respects all gender identities. Members of the Hofstra community are encouraged to contact Intercultural Engagement and Inclusion (IEI) with specific questions not addressed in this guide. IEI may be reached at IEI@hofstra.edu or 516-463-6957.

Some techniques for achieving gender-inclusive language: • O mit the pronoun. Instead of The programmer should update the records when data is transferred to her by the head office, use The programmer should update the records when data is transferred by the head office.

• R epeat the noun. Instead of A writer should be careful not to needlessly antagonize readers because her credibility would otherwise suffer, use A writer should be careful not to antagonize readers because the writer’s credibility would otherwise suffer.

• U se a plural antecedent. Instead of A contestant must conduct himself with dignity at all times, use Contestants must conduct themselves with dignity at all times.

• U se an article instead of a pronoun. Instead of A student accused of cheating must actively waive his right to have his guidance counselor present, use A student accused of cheating must actively waive the right to have a guidance counselor present.

• U se the gender-inclusive singular pronoun one. Instead of An actor is likely to earn more in New York than he is in Kentucky, use An actor in New York is likely to earn more than one in Kentucky.

• U se the relative pronoun who. Instead of Employers presume that if an applicant can’t write well, he won’t be a good employee, use Employers presume that an applicant who can’t write well won’t be a good employee.

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SINGULAR THEY Hofstra accepts the use of they as a gender-inclusive singular pronoun when the techniques listed above cannot be used effectively. Our current editorial style resources support this decision.

The Associated Press Stylebook, 55th Edition: they, them, their: They/them/their is acceptable in limited cases as a singular gender-inclusive pronoun, when alternative wording is overly awkward or clumsy. However, rewording usually is possible and always is preferable. … When they is used in the singular, it takes a plural verb: Taylor said they need a new car. (Be sure it is clear from the context that only one person is involved.) The singular reflexive themself is acceptable only if needed in constructions involving people who identify as neither male nor female. Again, it’s usually possible and always best to rephrase. For example: Dana Adams was not available for comment (instead of Dana Adams did not make themself available for comment).

The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th Edition: When referring specifically to a person who does not identify with a gender-specific pronoun, they and its forms are often preferred. Like singular you, singular they takes a plural verb. So when the context requires it, they/them/their/theirs, like you/your/yours, can be used to refer to one person. And themself (like yourself) may be used to signal the singular antecedent. A number of other gender-inclusive pronouns are in use, invented for that purpose; forms of these are usually singular and take singular verbs. In general, a person’s stated preference for a specific pronoun should be respected.

DISABILITY-INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE The language we use to communicate with and refer to persons with disabilities is constantly evolving, and that language must be inclusive, respectful, and free of bias.

Please direct specific questions to Julie Yindra, director of Student Access Services, at julie.yindra@hofstra.edu or 516-463-4999.

The decision to use person-first or identity-first language when writing about people with disabilities or organizations that focus on people with disabilities should be made by the person or organization in question. That decision supersedes any style recommended in this guide. If there is no preference, or when speaking in general, use person-first language.

Person-first language reinforces the concept that someone is a person first: a person with a disability; people on the autism spectrum.

Identity-first language emphasizes that a disability is an intrinsic part of a person’s identity: a disabled person; an autistic person. continued on next page 11

Avoid writing that implies ableism: the belief that typical abilities – those of people who aren’t disabled – are superior. Ableism is a concept similar to racism, sexism, and ageism in that it includes stereotypes, generalizations, and demeaning views and language. It is a form of discrimination or prejudice against people with disabilities.

Avoid outdated, offensive words such as handicapped, as well as language that implies restriction (e.g., use an empowering term such as wheelchair user, rather than confined to a wheelchair).

Use the term accessible rather than disabled or handicapped to refer to facilities: accessible parking.

CONCISE WRITING Concise writing means eliminating unnecessary words, industry jargon, passive verbs, and adverbs and adjectives that are either redundant or decorative. It is important to make every word count.

Listed below are some tips for general conciseness: • • • •

Replace vague words with more powerful and specific words.

Be sure that every word in a sentence is meaningful.

Eliminate words that are redundant or explain the obvious.

Eliminate unnecessary adverbs and adjectives; instead, choose strong verbs and nouns.

The following are common redundancies.

Deleting the word(s) in parentheses eliminates needless repetition.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

(absolutely) essential/necessary (advance) reservations/warning (added) bonus (basic) fundamentals/necessities (brief) moment/summary (careful) scrutiny (constantly) maintained could (possibly) (current) trend during (the course of) (end) result evolve (over time) (fellow) classmates (final) outcome (general) public 12

introduced (a new) join (together) (knowledgeable) experts may/might (possibly) (natural) instinct (past) experience/history/records (personal) friend/opinion plan (ahead/in advance) (please) RSVP (still) persists/remains (sum) total (two equal) halves (unexpected) emergency while (at the same time)

HOFSTRA-SPECIFIC EDITORIAL MATTERS ACADEMIC DEGREES • T he names of specific degrees are capitalized in formal references: Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, etc.

• U se an apostrophe in bachelor’s degree and master’s degree.

• No periods in abbreviations of academic degrees: BA, BBA, MA, MS, MSEd, PhD, etc.

• D egree with major: Capitalize the major when used with a specific degree. For example: BA in Biology, MS in Chemistry, BBA in Marketing.

• F ields of study: Do not capitalize majors, minors, or fields of study – except English and foreign languages – unless these elements follow a specific degree (BA in Journalism; BA in Journalism program). Note in the example that the word program is not capitalized.

ACRONYMS AND INITIALISMS An acronym is a word formed from the first letters of a series of words and read as a single word (AIDS, NASA, NASDAQ, OSHA).

An initialism is an abbreviation formed from the first letters of a series of words and read as a series of letters (AOL, CIA, DVD, FBI, NBA, NCAA).

Hofstra’s editorial style reflects the style of both AP Stylebook and CMOS: • A few universally recognized acronyms are required in some circumstances. Some others are acceptable depending on the context. But in general, avoid alphabet soup. Do not use acronyms that the reader would not quickly recognize. Abbreviations and acronyms should be avoided in headlines.

• A void awkward constructions: Do not follow an organization’s full name with an acronym in parentheses or set off by dashes. If an acronym would not be clear on second reference without this arrangement, do not use it. Names not commonly before the public should not be reduced to acronyms solely to save a few words.

• C aps, periods: Generally, omit periods in acronyms unless the result would spell an unrelated word.

• T he use of less familiar acronyms should be limited to those terms that occur frequently enough to warrant abbreviation – roughly five times or more within a printed piece – and the terms must be spelled out on their first occurrence.

• “ A” or “an” preceding an acronym/initialism: When an acronym/initialism follows an indefinite article, the choice of a or an is determined by the way the acronym/initialism would be read aloud: a NATO initiative, an HMO, a UFO, an NCAA coach.

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ALL CAPS Use of all capitals is discouraged in standard writing.

ALUMNI CLASS YEARS When crediting an accomplishment to two or more alumni, list the name of the earlier graduate first. When two people are listed as a couple and only one is a graduate, the class year is listed after the graduate’s last name: Joseph and Mary Jones ’52. When two alumni are married, the class year is listed after the first name of whoever is listed first and after the last name of whoever is listed second: John ’00 and Jane Smith ’02. In instances of two or more alumni from the same family, refer to alumni with full names and dates of graduation following each name. Siblings John Smith ’89, Amy Smith ’91, and Mary Smith Jones ’93 started a family business. Note: Include maiden names whenever possible.

CAMPUS LOCATIONS On-campus distribution: Room 200 Hofstra Hall, South Campus Off-campus distribution: Room 200 Hofstra Hall, 101 Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY 11549-1010

CAPITALIZATION • C apitalize Board of Trustees when referring to the Hofstra University Board of Trustees.

• C apitalize all parts of the department name (e.g., Department of English, Department of Mathematics).

• C apitalize Pilates and Zumba.

• C apitalize North Campus and South Campus.

• C apitalize and include The as part of the name of The Helene Fortunoff Theater, The Hofstra Chronicle, The Lawrence Herbert School of Communication, and The National Center for Suburban Studies at Hofstra University®.

CITATION OF HOFSTRA DEGREES Hofstra degrees may be cited in various formats. The clearest method is the following: John Smith, BA, 1995 • Jane Smith, BA, 1995; MA, 1997 When a briefer format is preferred, please follow the method below: John Smith ’95 • John Smith, BA, ’95; MA, ’97 • Jane Smith ’95; MA, ’97 Note: In this format, a date without a degree abbreviation is understood to refer to a Hofstra undergraduate degree.

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HOFSTRA EMAIL ADDRESSES Use all lowercase letters for Hofstra staff email addresses, e.g., linda.merklin@hofstra.edu.

For department email addresses, a mix of upper and lowercase letters is acceptable (and sometimes preferable, particularly if the department uses two words in its email address, e.g., GraduateAdmission@hofstra.edu).

HOFSTRA WEB ADDRESSES Do not underline Hofstra web addresses; use bold and all lowercase letters. Do not include http:// or www. Avoid breaking URLs. If the address will not fit on a line, do not add a hyphen or other punctuation. Break it before the existing punctuation, such as periods, hyphens, slashes, or double slashes. Use a period at the end of a sentence that ends with a web address: To register, go to hofstra.edu/springevent.

HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY AND ITS SCHOOLS/COLLEGES Hofstra University is often referred to as “the University,” and our style recommends the convention of the uppercase “U” in “University” to show that it refers to Hofstra.

In publications, the Hofstra schools and colleges must appear with full names on the first reference.

• Academic Health Sciences Center • Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell • Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies • School of Health Professions and Human Services • Frank G. Zarb School of Business • Fred DeMatteis School of Engineering and Applied Science • Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences • Peter S. Kalikow School of Government, Public Policy and International Affairs • School of Education • School of Humanities, Fine and Performing Arts • School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics • T he Lawrence Herbert School of Communication [Note: “The” is part of the full school name.]

• Stuart and Nancy Rabinowitz Honors College • Maurice A. Deane School of Law • Hofstra University Continuing Education

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SECOND REFERENCE FOR HOFSTRA SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES The named Hofstra schools may be shortened on second reference: • • • • • • •

Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell; Zucker School of Medicine Zarb School of Business DeMatteis School of Engineering and Applied Science Kalikow School of Government, Public Policy and International Affairs Herbert School of Communication Rabinowitz Honors College Deane School of Law

If necessary, the named schools may be further shortened to Zucker School, Zarb School, DeMatteis School, Kalikow School, and Herbert School. Please note that the Maurice A. Deane School of Law often uses Hofstra Law to refer to the school in print and online.

LGBTQ+ Hofstra University uses the term LGBTQ+ in all publications. The “+” signifies the importance of including all aspects of sexuality, gender identity and expression, and allyship (Hofstra University LGBTQ+ Task Force Report, 2015-2016).

SPELLING AND USAGE Accessible: Use to mean “easily used or accessed by people with disabilities; adapted for use by people with disabilities.” Do not use wheelchair-accessible; the term is redundant.

Adult 65+: When age determines ticket price or admission fee, use adult 65+ (or another age) instead of senior or senior citizen. In general, use senior citizen or elderly sparingly when referring to an individual.

Advising: Use this term, not advisement. (Note: This reflects Hofstra’s mission to actively encourage, nurture, and support students in their academic and personal pursuits, as well as in their future success.)

Advisor: Use this term, not adviser. (Note: This is an exception to AP Stylebook.)

Alum: Acceptable gender-inclusive alternative to alumna or alumnus. However, the plural form is alumni (not alums).

Alumnus, alumni, alumna, alumnae: Use alumnus (alumni in the plural) when referring to a man who has attended a school. Use alumna (alumnae in the plural) for similar references to a woman. Use alumni when referring to a group of men and women.

Chair: Use this term, not chairman or chairwoman.

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Class: Capitalize Class when referring to a specific class: Class of 2012, Class of ’64.

Coursework: Always one word.

Fieldwork: Always one word.

First-come, first-served: Note the use of hyphens and the comma (an exception to some dictionaries).

First-year students, first-years: Use first-year students on first mention. Afterward, it is acceptable to use first-years as a noun to describe students beginning their first year in college. Note: Freshmen is not gender-inclusive; do not use this term.

First-years, first-year students; sophomores, juniors, and seniors: Use the gender-inclusive first-years/first-year students instead of underclassmen. Use sophomores, juniors, and seniors instead of upperclassmen.

Free: Do not use this term with an open house or information session. Open houses and information sessions are typically free. Focus on the value of the event (i.e., the potential benefits to attendees), rather than the fact that it is free to attend.

Healthcare, health care: Use healthcare as an adjective, e.g., healthcare technology, healthcare proxy, healthcare curriculum. Use health care as a noun.

On Long Island: Note the use of on, not in.

Please: Avoid using excessively in text. Use call, reply, return instead of please call, please reply, please return.

Postbaccalaureate, postdoctoral, postsecondary: All are one word without a hyphen.

Pre-med: Note the use of the hyphen (an exception to some dictionaries).

Residence halls: Use this term, not dorms.

Residential students: Use this term, not resident students, to describe students who live on campus.

Resume: Preferred spelling uses no accent marks.

Scholar-athlete, student-athlete: Always hyphenate.

Theater: Use theater generically and theatre only if part of a proper noun.

Toward: Always use toward, never towards. The same applies to forward, afterward, and backward.

Transfer students, transfers: Use transfer students on first mention. Afterward, it is acceptable to use transfers.

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SOME RELEVANT AP STYLEBOOK ENTRIES addresses: Use the abbreviations Ave., Blvd., and St. only with a numbered address.

Spell out and capitalize when part of a formal street name without a number. Abbreviate compass points used to indicate directional ends of a street or quadrants of a city in a numbered address: 222 E. 42nd St., 600 K St. NW. Do not abbreviate if the number is omitted. antisemitism (n.), antisemitic (adj.): Prejudice or discrimination against Jews. A 2021 change from previous style (anti-Semitism and anti-Semitic). app, platform, service, site: Though these terms are often used interchangeably, they have different meanings: An app, short for application, is software written for a mobile device or personal computer, typically for a specific task such as checking movie times or watching Netflix.

A site, short for website, is an online destination typically accessed over web browsers.

A service is the function that runs on the app or at the site. Just as lightbulbs tap electricity to work, apps and sites tap services to work.

A platform is a computing system composed of hardware or software, or both, on which apps and services can run, including those from third parties.

Some can be all four. For example, Facebook is a site, at Facebook.com, to access the Facebook service. Facebook’s service can also be reached through a phone or tablet app called Facebook. And Facebook is a platform in allowing third-party apps and services to tap its tools. average of: The phrase takes a plural verb in a construction such as: An average of 100 new jobs are created daily. bestseller, bestselling: No hyphen. data: The word typically takes singular verbs and pronouns when writing for general audiences and in data journalism contexts: The data is sound. In scientific and academic writing, plural verbs and pronouns are preferred. dean’s list: Lowercase in all uses. drop-down: Hyphenate when used as an adjective. embassy: Capitalize with the name of a nation; lowercase without it: the U.S. Embassy, the embassy. equal: An adjective without comparative forms. When people speak of a more equal distribution of wealth, what is meant is more equitable.

FAQ: Acceptable in all uses for frequently asked questions. Note that it is not FAQs. fundraising, fundraiser: One word in all cases. hot spot: Two words. Used to describe an area where computers can connect wirelessly, a troubled global locale, or an area of intense heat in general. late: Do not use it to describe someone’s actions while alive.

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local: Avoid the irrelevant use of the word. Irrelevant: The injured were taken to a local hospital. Better: The injured were taken to a hospital. mid: No hyphen unless a capitalized word follows: midair, mid-America, mid-Atlantic, midsemester, midterm. misinformation, disinformation: The term misinformation refers to false information shared about a particular topic that could be mistaken as truth. It can include honest mistakes, exaggerations, and misunderstandings of facts, as well as disinformation, which refers to misinformation created and spread intentionally as a way to mislead or confuse. newspaper names: Capitalize the in a newspaper’s name if that is the way the publication prefers to be known. Lowercase the before newspaper names if a story mentions several papers, some of which use the as part of the name and some of which do not. percent: Use the % sign when paired with a numeral, with no space, in most cases. In casual cases, use words rather than figures and numbers: She said he has a zero percent chance of winning. Constructions with the % sign take a singular verb when standing alone or when a singular word follows an “of” construction: The teacher said 60% was a failing grade. He said 50% of the membership was there. It takes a plural verb when a plural word follows an “of” construction: He said 50% of the members were there. pre-, re-: Generally do not hyphenate, unless the word that follows is capitalized. Do not hyphenate double-e combinations with pre- and re-. Examples: preelection, preeminent, preempt, preestablished, preexisting, reelect, reemerge, reenact. Note that pre-med is an exception to this rule and to some dictionaries. riot, unrest, protest, demonstration, uprising, revolt: Use care in deciding which term best applies: A riot is a wild or violent disturbance of the peace involving a group of people. The term riot suggests uncontrolled chaos and pandemonium.

Unrest is a vaguer, milder, and less emotional term for a condition of angry discontent and protest verging on revolt.

Protest and demonstration refer to specific actions such as marches, sit-ins, rallies, or other actions meant to register dissent. They can be legal or illegal, organized or spontaneous, peaceful or violent, and involve any number of people.

Revolt and uprising both suggest a broader political dimension or civil upheavals, a sustained period of protests or unrest against powerful groups or governing systems. startup: One word (noun and adjective) to describe a new business venture. streaming, download: Streaming is a form of video or audio delivery in which a show or song is sent over the internet just as the person watches or listens to it. Download refers to delivering the video or audio ahead of time, so that it can be viewed or heard when the person may not have an internet connection. temperatures: Use figures for all except zero. Use a word, not a minus sign, to indicate temperatures below zero. The day’s low was minus 10. The day’s low was 10 below zero.

Also: 5-degree temperatures, temperatures fell 5 degrees, temperatures in the 30s (no apostrophe). In recipes: 450 F or 232 C. wheelchair user: People use wheelchairs for independent mobility. Do not use confined to a wheelchair or wheelchair-bound.

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WRITING ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS AND COVID-19 Below are selected entries from a topical guide published by The Associated Press. anti-vaxxer: Do not use this term for someone who opposes vaccinations. If necessary in a direct quotation, explain it. antiseptic, disinfectant: Antiseptics, such as hand sanitizers, are used to kill germs on living things. Disinfectants, such as bleach, are used on inanimate things, such as countertops and handrails. The adjective is disinfectant, not disinfecting. bandanna cancel, canceled, canceling, cancellation CARES Act: Avoid using this term unless in a direct quotation in reference to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. Instead, use phrasing such as the coronavirus relief bill, the coronavirus aid bill, the coronavirus rescue package, etc., for the U.S. government’s $2.2 trillion package to help businesses, workers, and a health care system staggered by the coronavirus. Do not refer to it as a stimulus, a stimulus package, etc. The measure was passed to replace money lost in the collapse of the economy, rather than to stimulate demand. cases: People should not be referred to as cases. Correct: Fifty people tested positive for the virus. Fifty cases of the virus were reported. Incorrect: Fifty cases tested positive for the virus. Incorrect and redundant: 50 positive cases.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: On first reference, use Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Precede with national, federal, or U.S. if needed for clarity. On second reference, the CDC is acceptable and takes a singular verb. contact tracing: The practice of tracking down and monitoring people who have been in close contact with someone who is infected (i.e., within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes). Do not enclose in quotation marks. Include a hyphen for clarity when used as a modifier: The state’s contact-tracing efforts. Consider rephrasing to avoid the term or for variety: The state’s efforts to identify people who have had close contact with the nursing home worker. coronavirus: Referring to simply the coronavirus is acceptable on first reference in stories about COVID-19. While the phrasing incorrectly implies there is only one coronavirus, it is clear in this context. Also acceptable on first reference: the new coronavirus or the new virus for the virus; COVID-19 for the disease caused by the virus.

COVID-19, which stands for coronavirus disease 2019, is caused by a virus named SARSCoV-2. When referring specifically to the virus, the COVID-19 virus and the virus that causes COVID-19 are acceptable. continued on next page 20

But, because COVID-19 is the name of the disease, not the virus, it is not accurate to write a new virus called COVID-19. Also incorrect are usages such as COVID-19 spreads through the air; scientists are investigating how long COVID-19 may remain on surfaces; she worries about catching COVID-19. In each of those, it should be the coronavirus, not COVID-19.

Do not shorten to COVID, even in headlines, unless part of a quotation or proper name.

In stories, do not refer simply to coronavirus without the article the. Omitting the is acceptable in headlines and in uses such as: He said coronavirus concerns are increasing. curbside pickup (n.): But pick up as a verb. data: The word typically takes singular verbs and pronouns when writing for general audiences and in data journalism contexts: The data is sound. In scientific and academic writing, plural verbs and pronouns are preferred. death, die: Don’t use euphemisms like passed on or passed away except in a direct quote. diseases: Do not capitalize diseases such as cancer, emphysema, leukemia, hepatitis, etc., but do capitalize the shorthand COVID-19, MERS, SARS. When a disease is known by the name of a person or geographical area identified with it, capitalize only the proper noun element: Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Ebola virus, etc.

Avoid expressions such as: He is battling COVID-19. She is a stroke victim. Use neutral, precise descriptions: He has stomach cancer. She had a stroke. distance learning (n., adj.): Schools are turning to distance learning. He is taking a distance learning class. distances, time periods: Use numerals for distances: Social distancing includes staying 6 feet away from other people. Spell out numbers under 10 when referring to days, weeks, months, years: six months. drive-thru epidemic, pandemic: An epidemic is the rapid spreading of disease in a certain population or region; a pandemic is an epidemic that has spread worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. Do not write global pandemic, which is redundant. exposure: Contact with a harmful substance, such as the coronavirus, that can lead to infection or illness. People are tested for infection with the virus, not exposure to it. front line(s) (n.), front-line (adj.) hand-washing herd immunity: Occurs when enough people have immunity, either from vaccination or past infection, to stop uncontrolled spread of an infectious disease. It doesn’t mean that a virus or bacteria is eradicated or that no person can get infected. Outbreaks can still happen even when a population has achieved herd immunity. The threshold for herd immunity varies among different types of infectious diseases. home schooling (n.), home-schooler (n.), home-school (v.), home-schooled (adj.) hot spot 21

incubation period: Time between infection and the appearance of signs or symptoms of an illness. isolation, self-isolation, quarantine: In common usage during the pandemic, the terms isolation and quarantine generally are being used interchangeably.

The CDC makes this distinction: Isolation is separating sick people from healthy people to prevent spread of disease. For example, people believed to have COVID-19 or to have been exposed to the coronavirus are put in isolation in hospitals or are asked to practice self-isolation. Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick. lock down (v.), lockdown (n., adj.): Spell out what is meant because people’s definitions and interpretations vary. long-hauler: Sometimes used to describe a person or group of people who do not fully recover from COVID-19 and have lingering symptoms. Use sparingly and describe the long-term health problem if relevant. The condition is sometimes referred to as long-haul COVID-19 or long COVID-19. Avoid the medical term post-acute COVID syndrome, or PACS. masks, respirators, ventilators: An N95 mask is a specific type of tight-fitting, cup-shaped face mask that covers the nose and mouth, filters the air, and is used by workers in settings such as construction and health care. They are technically respirators, but the preferred term is masks to avoid confusion with ventilators. Respirators like the N95 are distinct from surgical masks, which also cover the nose and mouth but fit loosely. A ventilator is a machine that helps people breathe; breathing machine is acceptable. multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (CDC term); multisystem inflammatory disorder in children and adolescents (WHO term): Avoid both terms. Instead, use wording such as a rare inflammatory condition (or syndrome) in children linked with the coronavirus.

National Institutes of Health: This agency within the Department of Health and Human Services is the principal biomedical research arm of the federal government. NIH is acceptable on second reference. There are 27 institutes or centers, including the National Cancer Institute, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and the National Institute of Mental Health. personal protective equipment: Equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious injuries and illnesses. Do not use PPE. If necessary to use PPE in a direct quotation, spell it out later and explain the term. preventive: Not preventative. reopen shelter in place (v.), shelter-in-place (adj.): The governor urged residents to shelter in place. Authorities issued a shelter-in-place order. Spell out what is meant because people’s definitions and interpretations vary. shutdown (n.), shut down (v.)

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social distancing, socially distancing: No quotation marks, no hyphen: The CDC is urging social distancing. The parents are taking social distancing precautions. They’ve been socially distancing themselves. Generally, social distancing involves measures to restrict when and where people can gather. The goal is to stop or slow the spread of infectious diseases.

Measures can include limiting the number of people who can gather, staying 6 feet away from others, closing schools, asking people to work at home, canceling events, limiting or shutting down public transportation, etc. stay at home (v.), stay-at-home (adj.) superspreader (n., adj.): An individual who spreads a virus or disease to an unusually large number of people, or a setting or event where an infection is spread to a large number of people: a superpreader event. telecommute, telecommuting, telecommuter teleconference, teleconferencing telemedicine travel, traveled, traveling, traveler underlying conditions, preexisting conditions: Terms like existing health conditions or other health problems are preferred over underlying conditions to describe issues that contributed to a COVID-19 illness or death. No hyphen in preexisting condition, a term usually used in the context of health insurance. vaccine (n.), vaccination (n.): A vaccine is a product that stimulates the body’s immune system to make antibodies and provide immunity against a specific virus or other germ.

Vaccination is the act of giving a vaccine. The terms immunization and vaccination can generally be used interchangeably. Don’t refer to a vaccine as a drug, medicine, or serum. vaccine approval: Be careful in describing a vaccine’s approval status, which can vary from country to country. Many regulatory agencies are allowing vaccines to be used on a temporary, emergency basis. Describe them as authorized for emergency use; allowed for emergency use; given the green light, etc. Avoid saying a vaccine was approved until full, final approval has been granted by a regulatory agency. virus variant: Use variant or version to describe a new form of a virus in general. Following guidance from the World Health Organization, refer to specific variants by letters of the Greek alphabet. If a variant is different enough in certain ways from previous ones, it may be designated as a new strain or lineage, but these are not interchangeable terms. virus’s: The singular possessive form of virus. Not virus’.

World Health Organization: The specialized health agency of the United Nations, which is based in Geneva. It sets internationally accepted guidelines for treating diseases and coordinates responses to disease outbreaks globally. On second reference, the WHO and WHO are both acceptable.

Zoom: Video conferencing platform owned by Zoom Video Communications Inc. of San Jose, California. Usage includes: a Zoom meeting, a class conducted on (or via, or by) Zoom, we used Zoom. Sometimes used informally as a verb, but that usage is not preferred.

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WRITING ABOUT RACE Below are selected entries from a topical guide published by The Associated Press.

AAPI, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders: The acronym is widely used by people within these communities but is not as well known outside of them. Spell out the full term; use AAPI only in direct quotations and explain the term.

American Indians, Native Americans: Both are acceptable terms in general references for those in the U.S. when referring to two or more people of different tribal affiliations.

For individuals, use the name of the tribe. He is a Navajo commissioner. She is a member of the Nisqually Indian Tribe. He is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. Some tribes and tribal nations use member; others use citizen. If in doubt, use citizen. In Alaska, the Indigenous groups are collectively known as Alaska Natives. Do not use Indian as shorthand for American Indians. anti-Asian sentiment: Avoid this euphemism, which conveys little meaning. Alternatives may include anti-Asian bias, anti-Asian harassment, anti-Asian comments, anti-Asian racism, or anti-Asian violence, depending on the situation.

Asian American: Acceptable for an American of Asian descent. When possible, refer to a person’s country of origin or follow the person’s preference. For example: Filipino American or Indian American. Do not describe Pacific Islanders as Asian Americans, Asians, or of Asian descent. Avoid using Asian as shorthand for Asian American. biracial, multiracial: Acceptable, when clearly relevant, to describe people with more than one racial heritage. Usually more useful when describing large, diverse groups of people than individuals. Avoid mixed-race, unless a story subject prefers the term. Be specific, if possible, and then use biracial for people of two heritages or multiracial for those of two or more on subsequent references if needed. Examples: She has an African American father and a white mother instead of She is biracial. But: The study of biracial people showed a split in support along gender lines. Multiracial can encompass people of any combination of races.

Black (adj.): Use the capitalized term as an adjective in a racial, ethnic, or cultural sense: Black people, Black culture, Black literature, Black studies, Black colleges.

African American is also acceptable for those in the U.S. The terms are not necessarily interchangeable. Americans of Caribbean heritage, for example, generally refer to themselves as Caribbean American. Follow an individual’s preference if known, and be specific when possible and relevant. Minneapolis has a large Somali American population because of refugee resettlement. The author is Senegalese American.

Note: Use of the capitalized Black recognizes that language has evolved, along with the common understanding that, especially in the United States, the term reflects a shared identity and culture rather than a skin color alone.

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Black Lives Matter, #BlackLivesMatter: A global movement launched after the 2012 killing of Trayvon Martin with a goal to eradicate systemic racism and white supremacy and to oppose violence committed against Black people. Either Black Lives Matter as a noun or the Black Lives Matter movement is acceptable. BLM is acceptable on second reference.

Some respond to the Black Lives Matter movement by saying “all lives matter” or “blue lives matter,” the latter in reference to police officers. Neither is a formal movement, so lowercase and enclose in quotes.

Black(s), white(s) (n.): Do not use either term as a singular noun. For plurals, phrasing such as Black people, white people, Black teachers, white students is often preferable when clearly relevant. The plural nouns Blacks and whites are generally acceptable when clearly relevant and needed for reasons of space or sentence construction. He helped integrate dance halls among Blacks, whites, Latinos, and Asian Americans. Black and white are acceptable as adjectives when relevant. brown (adj.): Avoid this broad and imprecise term in racial, ethnic, or cultural references unless as part of a direct quotation. Interpretations of what the term includes vary widely.

Caucasian: Avoid as a synonym for white, unless in a quotation. dual heritage: No hyphen for terms such as African American, Asian American, and Filipino American, used when relevant to refer to an American person’s heritage. The terms are less common when used to describe non-Americans, but may be used when relevant: Turkish German for a German of Turkish descent.

Hispanic: A person from – or whose ancestors were from – a Spanish-speaking land or culture. Latino, Latina, or Latinx are sometimes preferred. Follow the person’s preference.

Use a more specific identification when possible, such as Cuban, Puerto Rican, or Mexican American.

Indigenous (adj.): Capitalize this term used to refer to original inhabitants of a place.

Aboriginal leaders welcomed a new era of Indigenous relations in Australia. Bolivia’s Indigenous peoples represent some 62% of the population.

Juneteenth, June 19: The traditional commemoration date of the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed legislation making it a U.S. federal holiday. The holiday also has been called Juneteenth Independence Day or Freedom Day. Latino, Latina: Latino is often the preferred noun or adjective for a person from, or whose ancestors were from, a Spanish-speaking land or culture or from Latin America. Latina is the feminine form. Some prefer the recently coined gender-inclusive term Latinx, which should be confined to quotations, names of organizations, or descriptions of individuals who request it and should be accompanied by a short explanation. Hernandez prefers the gender-inclusive term Latinx. For groups of females, use the plural Latinas; for groups of males or of mixed gender, use the plural Latinos. Hispanics is also generally acceptable for those in the United States. Use a more specific identification when possible, such as Cuban, Puerto Rican, Brazilian, or Mexican American.

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minority, racial minority: The term is acceptable as an adjective in broad references to multiple races other than white in the United States: We will hire more members of minority groups.

Be sure the term is accurate in each circumstance, since what constitutes a racial minority varies by location.

Be specific whenever possible by referring to, for instance, Black Americans, Chinese Americans, or members of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Examples: The poll found that Black and Latino Americans are bearing the brunt of the pandemic’s financial impact, not Minorities are bearing the brunt of the pandemic’s financial impact. Most of the magazine’s readers are Black women, not Most of the magazine’s readers are minority women.

Do not use minority as a noun in the singular. The plural minorities is acceptable when needed for reasons of space or sentence construction. But phrasing such as minority students or minority communities is preferable.

Orient, Oriental: Do not use when referring to East Asian nations and their peoples. Asian is the acceptable term for an inhabitant of those regions.

Pacific Islander: Used to describe the Indigenous people of the Pacific Islands, including but not limited to Hawaii, Guam, and Samoa. Should be used for people who are ethnically Pacific Islander, not for those who happen to live in the Pacific Islands. Be specific about which communities you are referring to whenever possible. Do not use Asian Pacific Islander unless referring to Pacific Islanders of Asian descent. Do not describe Pacific Islanders as Asian Americans, Asians, or of Asian descent. people of color: The term is acceptable when necessary in broad references to multiple races other than white: We will hire more people of color. Nine playwrights of color collaborated on the script.

Be aware, however, that many people of various races object to the term for various reasons, including that it lumps together into one monolithic group anyone who isn’t white.

Be specific whenever possible by referring to, for instance, Black Americans, Chinese Americans, or members of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Examples: The poll found that Black and Latino Americans are bearing the brunt of the pandemic’s financial impact, not People of color are bearing the brunt of the pandemic’s financial impact. Most of the magazine’s readers are Black women, not Most of the magazine’s readers are women of color.

In some cases, other wording may be appropriate. Examples: people from various racial and ethnic backgrounds; diverse groups; various heritages; different cultures.

Do not use person of color for an individual.

Do not use the term Black, Indigenous, and people of color, which some see as more inclusive by distinguishing the experiences of Black and Indigenous people but others see as less inclusive by diminishing the experiences of everyone else. Similarly, do not use the term Black, Asian, and minority ethnic. Do not use the shorthand POC, BIPOC, or BAME unless necessary in a direct quotation; when used, explain it.

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reverse discrimination: A term sometimes used to describe bias or perceived bias against majority groups. Limit its use to quotes; generally, just discrimination will suffice to describe such allegations or practices.

Stop AAPI Hate: A movement that was launched in March 2020 in response to a rise in anti-Asian bias and racism stemming from the coronavirus pandemic that originated in China. The Asian Pacific Planning and Policy Council, Chinese for Affirmative Action, and the Asian American Studies Department of San Francisco State University created a reporting center under the name Stop AAPI Hate to track and respond to cases of hate, violence, harassment, and discrimination against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States. Some prefer to use the hashtag #StopAsianHate. transracial: The term should not be used to describe people who have adopted a different racial identity.

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EDITORIAL SERVICES CONTACT INFORMATION Hofstra’s Editorial Services Department is here to assist all members of the Hofstra community who are responsible for creating marketing and informational publications.

When a client submits text for a handbook, brochure, letter, postcard, poster, flyer, etc., through WebCRD (the online system that moves jobs from editing to design to print), it is routed automatically to Editorial Services. We edit approximately 1,600 jobs annually and pay special attention in reviewing Hofstra facts and statistics to ensure that this information is accurate. We welcome inquiries regarding grammar, spelling, and style.

Linda Merklin Editorial Director Room 100A Butler Annex, South Campus linda.merklin@hofstra.edu 516-463-6884

Marilyn Lara-Puccio Associate Editor Room 100 Butler Annex, South Campus marilyn.lara-puccio@hofstra.edu 516-463-6054

Visit hofstra.edu/getthemessageout for Hofstra brand and graphic standards, design guidelines, templates, and links to the varied resources available to help members of the Hofstra community communicate their message.

Updated August 2021 Editorial Services Department Hofstra University

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