For consistency in our communication with donors, friends, students, faculty and staff of Duke, AED adheres to the following set of style standards:
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- For all editorial style related questions, please refer first to the language usage guide developed by University Communications (UComms).
- For any editorial style related questions unanswered in UComms’ guides, AED uses the Associated Press (AP) Stylebook. This aligns our style with the broader Duke community.
- For spelling and grammar questions, please use the dictionary by Merriam-Webster.
As a group, we make a few exceptions:
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- When separating elements in a complex series, the Oxford/serial comma can be used, especially if it adds clarity and if omitting it could lead to misinterpretation.
- In running nontechnical text, numbers zero through one hundred can be spelled out. Figures should be used in tables, and in statistical and sequential formats. Passages with many numerical references may also use numerals.
For questions about the language usage guide, please get in touch.
