Consult HTML Tricks and Shortcuts for help implementing style requirements.
Writing Style
The content should be conversational, encouraging, and engaging. The student should be addressed as you or your. However, avoid future tense as much as possible, negating the need for pronouns.
Write: Now, answer the following questions. Not: Now, you will answer the following questions.
In this vain, do not add a lot of unnecessary language. There is no need to explain that the student will conduct an activity on potential energy right before explaining the activity. Avoid passive voice as well. Keep writing as concise and direct as possible.
Write directly to the student. Do not include yourself in the content. Avoid words like my, let’s, we, and our. For example, refer to the senses and not our senses.
The content must be self-learning. Assume no teacher or parent is present to assist. Do not direct the student to work with an adult unless necessary, such as in an experiment. When you need to reference others — to show a project, ask a question, etc. — keep it broad and neutral: family, friends, peers, someone, etc.
Take a look at the example below and note what was changed.
Title Case
Capitalize the following.
- the first and last words
- all nouns, verbs, and modifiers
- all prepositions with four or more letters
- the first word after a colon or semicolon
- the letter after the hyphen in a hyphenated word
Only include ending punctuation if it is a complete sentence. Use italics and quotation marks as applicable when referencing literary works. Use a colon (never parenthesis) to add additional information.
Questions
Use bullets to draw attention to all questions within the content, even if just a single question. If desired, additional space may be added between bullets. If the questions apply to already indented content, set bullets to 60px.
Quizzes
All directions and questions must be complete sentences. Indicate a blank space to be filled with eight underscores (________). Do not capitalize answers that are incomplete sentences. Give proper punctuation and capitalization to answers that are complete sentences.
Numbers and Equations
Spell out numbers one through nine, but use numerals for numbers 10 and larger. The exception is with dates or math problems. (Use your best judgment in word problems — consistency is most important.)
Spaces should be included between all numbers and symbols in equations. When possible, format all horizontal and vertical equations using tables.
Spacing
NEVER use more than one space between sentences. The two-space rule dies with typewriters.
Always add spaces around numbers and signs within equations, but not around parentheses or brackets: 4 – 3[4 – 2(3)] ÷ 3 = x
White Space
White space is as important to interest and retention as word choice. Use it. Break paragraphs up into the smallest workable number of sentences. Add a return between entries in a numbered list. Use padding (indent) and tables to set text apart. An extra return is needed after tables, not videos, graphics, or interactives. (Examples combined with Lists examples below.)
Lists
Do not use the default bullet for a list; these are for questions only. If a bulleted list is needed, use the open circle. Sentences preceding a bulleted list must end in a period as a complete thought. Do not use colons. The bulleted text should be complete sentences with capitalization and punctuation, if possible. If sentence fragments are necessary, do not capitalize. Utilize padding rather than bullets when possible.
Look through these examples, which show good use of white space and properly formatted lists.
Color
Avoid adding a colored font to the content. Exceptions include when color is needed to differentiate, such as between types of speech or place value. Color should also be used on downloadable resource answer keys to indicate the answers.
Underline, Bold, and Italics
Never underline. The exception would be in a document where underlining is part of the task, so it must appear in the answer key.
The following Elephango terminology is bold everywhere it appears in the content. Bold should only be used for headings within the content.
Downloadable Resources
Related Lesson
Suggested Reading
Additional Resources
The titles of large works (books, movies), newspapers, ships, and trains are italicized. The titles of downloadable resources are italicized when mentioned in the content. Use italics to indicate emphasis or reference words as words.
In physics, the term work refers to force overcoming resistance.
Quotation Marks
Used to denote quoted material and short works (stories, poems, essays). Do not use quotation marks to indicate emphasis or as air quotes. Use italics.
Punctuation goes inside the quotation marks unless a question mark or exclamation mark is used that is not part of the quoted material.
Karen asked, “Where are you?”
Read “The Fox and the Horse.”
I love the song “MMMBop”!
Reading Passages
Must adhere to the Direct Quotations and Passages guidelines. (Style example also found here.)
Indent the entire passage 30px. Use quotation marks before the first word and after the last. Edit any quotation marks within the passage to apostrophes.
Em Dash and Ellipsis
Use an em dash with spaces on either side when separating portions of a sentence, similar to a parenthesis, or when showing interrupted speech. (The em dash shortcut is Alt+0151.)
The white rabbit — constantly checking his watch — raced past Alice.
“I wasn’t trying to suggest —” “Then, what were you saying exactly?”
Use ellipses to signify missing text within a quote or passage or a trailing off or interruption of thought. Do not use ellipses at the beginning or end of a quote or passage to indicate missing text.
J.M. Barrie wrote, “All the world is made of faith . . . and pixie dust.”
So . . . what do you think?
Ellipses are three periods with a space between each. If they appear after a complete sentence, add a space after the end punctuation before adding the three periods.
With deepening dread . . . I realized just what was going on.
Sally felt panicked. . . . She had not prepared for a pop quiz.
Could this get any better? . . . The puppy reached up and licked my smile.
It was the best day ever! . . . Then, the drama started.
Use of Specific Terms
Do not include the use of copyrighted or trademarked names unless referring to them in the context of a historical or current event. Instead, use a more general term, like building blocks or sandwich bags. If a term is copyrighted or trademarked, please include the ® or ™ next to the term. (LEGOS™)
Do not use specific software or program names, such as Microsoft PowerPoint, unless referring to a specific website, such as Elephango. Refer to software and program names by generic terms, including the following examples.
- multimedia presentation (instead of PowerPoint)
- use your computer to create (instead of a specific program)
- search engine
- online encyclopedia, online dictionary, online image search