Clemson University produces thousands of promotional and marketing materials that describe our programs to various audiences. Because these materials convey our image and message to millions of people, maintaining high standards of accuracy and consistency is essential to exhibiting a positive, professional image of the University.
As a service to the University community, the Department of Publications and Promotion has created the Clemson University Editorial Style Guide, a nonacademic, in-house reference source that includes entries related specifically to Clemson University. It was created to give the writers and editors of promotional and marketing materials answers to questions about style and usage. While the guide applies to all material processed by the Department of Publications and Promotion, it does not attempt to address the style for other kinds of writing (academic papers, memorandums, personal correspondence, etc.).
The guide uses The Associated Press Stylebook as the preferred style source and Webster’s New World Dictionary, Third College Edition as the preferred dictionary. The Chicago Manual of Style is used for issues not addressed by AP. For issues of computer, electronic or technological style, Wired Style: Principles of English Usage in the Digital Age is the preferred source. The Internet Guide in The Associated Press Stylebook is the secondary source. Clemson University’s Visual Identity and Licensing Guidelines should be referenced for visual elements related to the University. Guidelines for the Web can be found in the Office of Web Services' Web Style Guide.