MECHANICS
MANUSCRIPT FORMAT
1. Standard paper size (81/2 x 11).
2. 1-11/2 inch margins all around the paper.
3. Blue or black ink.
4. Title: centered on first line; each significant
word capitalized; do not use quotation marks
or underline.
5. Skip one line between the title and the first line of the
essay.
6. Indent the first line of each paragraph five spaces.
7. Double space after periods.
NUMBERS
1. Spell out numbers that take only one or two words:
sixteen, twenty-five.
2. Use numerals for numbers that take three or more
words: not "three hundred fifty", but 350.
3. In a list, use all numerals or all words, but don’t mix
them.
4. Always use numerals for dates, times, addresses,
percentages, and parts of a book: page 35.
ABBREVIATIONS
1. Do not use abbreviations except these:
2. Mr., Mrs., Ms., Jr., Sr., Dr.---and then only use
them with a person’s name.
3. Time: a.m., p.m., BC, AD
4. A person’s initials: Michael J. Fox.
5. Organizations that are known primarily by their
initials (do not use periods): IBM, AIDS, and CBS.
CAPITALIZATION
1. First word of a sentence or direct quote.
2. People’s names and the word "I".
3. Names of places.
4. Names of the days of the week, months, and
holidays (but not seasons).
5. Names of commercial products.
6. Titles of books, magazines, newspapers, articles,
stories, poems, films, television shows, songs, and
papers you write.
7. A person’s title only if it’s used with his/her name:
the president, President Clinton.
8. The name of a specific class (Math 2311) but not
a generic class (math, science).
9. Languages: French, English, and Spanish.
10. Geographic locations (the Old West, the South)
but not directions (north of town).
11. Historic periods and events: the Renaissance, the
French Revolution.
12. Races, nations, and nationalities (Germanic, African-
American) but not colors (black, white).
13. Opening and closing of a letter:
Dear Sir, Sincerely yours,