University Writing
BYU-Idaho writing should be clear, purposeful, and centered on the needs of the reader. Our voice reflects the university’s mission while communicating with warmth, respect, and consistency.
Use these guidelines for university communications, and refer to the BYU-Idaho Written Style Guide for detailed writing and usage standards.
Use these guidelines for university communications, and refer to the BYU-Idaho Written Style Guide for detailed writing and usage standards.
Our Voice
Mission-Centered
Write in a way that supports BYU-Idaho’s mission and reflects its connection to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Clear
Use familiar, precise language that helps readers understand the message the first time.
Warm
Communicate with respect, care, and a genuine desire to help the reader.
Direct
Get to the point, use strong verbs, and make important information and next steps easy to find.
Accessible
Write for people with different backgrounds, abilities, experiences, and levels of familiarity with the subject.
Write for the Audience
BYU-Idaho communicates with many audiences. Adjust the content, word choice, tone, and level of detail to fit the people you need to reach. Before writing, ask:
Who are you writing for?
Identify the specific audience that needs the information.
What do they need to know?
Focus on the information that matters most to the audience.
Why does it matter to them?
Consider why the information is relevant and what will make the audience pay attention.
What do they need to do?
Make the next step or desired action clear.
Write Clearly and Effectively
Lead With What Matters
Put the most important information first. Don't make readers work through background information before finding what they need.
Use Plain Language
Choose familiar, concrete words over jargon, technical language, or unnecessarily formal expressions.
Prefer Active Voice
Use active voice when it makes the sentence clearer, more direct, and easier to understand.
Keep It Concise
Remove unnecessary words and keep sentences and paragraphs focused on one main idea.
Make Content Scannable
Use descriptive headings, short paragraphs, lists, and clear hierarchy to help readers find information quickly.
Use Inclusive, Respectful Language
Describe people accurately and respectfully. Avoid stereotypes, demeaning language, unnecessary labels, and assumptions about an individual or group.
The BYU-Idaho Written Style Guide is the university’s primary reference for terminology, grammar, capitalization, punctuation, formatting, accessibility, citations, and other writing conventions.
BYU-Idaho Style Quick Reference
General Usage
| Use | Avoid |
|---|---|
| BYU-Idaho | BYU-I, BYU—Idaho, BYU Idaho |
| BYUI for limited informal uses | BYU-I |
| advisor | adviser |
| website, web page | Website, webpage |
| okay or OK | ok, o.k. |
| log in (verb), login (noun) | log-in |
| a lot | alot |
| all right | alright in formal communication |
| set up (verb), setup (noun) | set-up |
| US (adjective), United States (noun) | U.S. |
| a.m., p.m. in running text | am, pm, A.M., P.M. |
| for example | e.g. |
| in other words | i.e. |
| PDF, JPEG, PNG | pdf, jpeg, png |
| PowerPoint | Powerpoint, Power Point |
| select for general interface instructions | click when a mouse isn't required |
Academic Terminology
| Use | Avoid |
|---|---|
| faculty member for one person | a faculty |
| instructor, teacher, faculty member | professor |
| bachelor’s degree | bachelors degree, Bachelor’s degree |
| master’s degree | masters degree, Master’s degree |
| doctoral degree, doctorate | doctorate’s degree |
| psychology for the subject | Psychology unless part of an official name |
| winter semester | Winter Semester when used generically |
Church Terminology
| Use | Avoid |
|---|---|
| The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on first reference | LDS Church, Mormon Church |
| the Church on later references | The Church |
| Latter-day Saint | Mormon, LDS when referring to members |
Follow the BYU-Idaho Written Style Guide for university communications. It is the university’s primary reference for writing style, terminology, grammar, capitalization, punctuation, formatting, accessibility, citations, and usage.
For questions not addressed in the BYU-Idaho Written Style Guide, follow the references identified within the guide. Contact University Communications when additional guidance is needed.
The style guide establishes standards for clear and consistent university communication. Some situations may require a different treatment, but exceptions should be based on the needs of the communication rather than personal preference.
No. The university’s mission should guide BYU-Idaho communication, but its wording does not need to appear in every message. Communications can reflect the mission through their purpose, message, and stories.