Style
Select a letter of the alphabet to search for a specific topic.
I
identification, University—see University identification.
impact—Do not use as a verb to mean affect.
important—See more, most important.
incorporated—Abbreviate and capitalize as Inc. when used as part of a corporate name. It usually is not needed, but when it is used, do not set off with commas: J.C. Penney Co. Inc.
- Rule also applies to using the word limited as part of corporate name.
If used, abbreviate as Ltd.
- See company, companies.
indoor (adjective)—Bob plays indoor tennis.
indoors (adverb)—Sally grilled indoors.
Internet—Uppercase: Internet, Internet-based, Internet address
Interstate 70—Use this form for first references; thereafter, use I-70 or
interstate. This rule applies to all interstate highways, but not to city street I-70 Drive.
- Business Loop 70 should be spelled out, not BL-70.
invitations, formal—Use the following rules for drafting formal invitations.
- Spell out dates and times for formal invitations.
- Describe attire: black-tie, business attire, business casual, casual. Do not use optional.
- Annual may be used for an event’s third occurrence, but not for the first two. Inaugural is appropriate for the first. See annual.
- Write R.s.v.p.
- For response cards, refer inquiries to a person at an office, not just to an office. Supply contact information.
- For response cards, it is appropriate to ask for a reply by a certain date.
- For response cards, IRS regulations require a clear listing of what is and what is not a charitable contribution. Example: I/We plan to attend the gala and am/are enclosing $100 per person. ($50 of this amount is usually considered a charitable contribution to the extent allowed by law.)
- Do not refer to a meal at a fundraising event as complimentary. You can say $1,000 sponsor includes four dinner tickets, but then you must also note that, if the dinners were $50 each, for example, $800 of this amount is generally considered a contribution.
- According to the IRS, you cannot write Proceeds from the event will benefit … You must specify an exact amount if a person is to receive a tax credit.
it—Avoid using the vague it when starting sentences or referring to something mentioned three or four paragraphs earlier.
- If at all possible, explain all its. Your readers will appreciate it.
italics—Put in italics: names of books; newspapers; magazines; academic journals; movies; television series (Seinfeld); CDs or albums; paintings; works of art; photographs; ships; spacecraft; theater productions; legal cases; books of the Bible; online publications (but not other Web sites); and works of music.
- In general, smaller elements contained within those listed above — songs within a CD, episodes within a TV series, etc. — go in quotes: “The Puffy Shirt” (an episode of Seinfeld).
- See quotation marks.
J
Journalism, School of—The world’s first journalism school was established in 1908 in Columbia.
- First reference: The University of Missouri School of Journalism.
- Second reference: Missouri School of Journalism; journalism school; J-School; school.
judgment—Not judgement.
junior, senior—Abbreviate as Jr. and Sr. only with full names of people or animals. Do not precede by a comma: Billy Doe Jr.
- When necessary to distinguish between father and son in later reference, use the elder Doe or the younger Doe.
K
KBIA—91.3 FM radio station.
KOMU-TV—TV NBC station.
keynote address—Not keynote speech.
kick off (verb)—The Mizzou Tigers will kick off first.
kickoff (noun and adjective)—Kickoff for the football game is at noon. The kickoff team retrieved a fumble.
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