Style guide introduction
The University of Oxford Style Guide is written by, and in consultation with, staff on behalf of the University (or one of its constituent departments etc). It is part of the University’s visual identity guidelines which enables the University’s formal documentation and web content to be presented consistently across all communications.
Although this style guide is freely available online it has not been written with public or external use in mind. The University of Oxford Style Guide does not replace professional writing guides and dictionaries produced by Oxford University Press, which have a different purpose. The Oxford English Dictionary is the preferred reference for details not included in this guide.
Objectives of the style guide
We have three main objectives in writing this style guide:
- To support you when you are writing for the University of Oxford. We provide advice and examples of spelling, punctuation and stylistic choices to use across online, written and printed communications.
- To offer best practice guidance on how to make your website content clear and accessible for everyone.
- To advise on inclusive language choices and signpost to writing resources that help staff foster a welcoming, inclusive culture which promotes equality, values diversity and maintains a working environment where the rights and dignity of all its staff and students are respected.
How the guide is arranged
This website can be cross-referenced and searched using the find tool. Please email [email protected] if you require the guide in a different format. When we update the style guide we will highlight the last date that any updates were made to the website.
How to use this guide
- examples that are correct are preceded by DO
- examples that are incorrect are preceded by DON’T
How you can contribute to the style guide
Do you have a suggestion for advice that is not listed? Or an example you would like to see in this style guide? Get in touch with our team by emailing [email protected].
How the guide will be reviewed
- The Public Affairs Directorate will review the guide periodically, ensuring that it properly reflects modern usage and is fit for purpose, and to update it as required. The guide will also have a ‘last updated’ date.
- As part of the review process, we will invite and consider new content and proposals submitted by members of the University community. Changes will be considered and discussed by the Style Guide Working Group before revisions are made.
What is/is not included in the style guide
The guide does not tell you how to write or which words to use. We aim to help you write correctly, and to encourage consistency across the University’s communications. This guide does not include definitions or detailed advice on tone of voice. The inclusive writing advice is advisory and is intended to support you in making decisions about language use. We are open to feedback, which is valuable to us; please email [email protected]
Quick reference guide
The general rule
If there are multiple (correct) ways of doing something, choose the one which is the simplest. For instance:
- close up spaces and don’t use full stops in abbreviations (for example, 6pm)
- use lower case wherever possible
- research suggests that numbers written as numerals (1, 3, 14) attract users’ attention and offer a point of fixation within a text. We therefore recommend that you use numerals (including for numbers below 10), particularly when you are referring to data.
University of Oxford or Oxford University?
These terms are interchangeable and can either be alternated for variety or kept the same for consistency.
University branding information
Information on University branding, including the use of the logo, can be found in our identity guidelines.
Queries
If you have any queries about using this guide, please contact:
The Gazette team
Public Affairs Directorate
University of Oxford
Wellington Square
Oxford OX1 2JD