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Writing Style Guide

�Ӱ�ԭ��’s visual brand identity supports the university’s profile and reputation. A consistent written style is an important extension of — and alignment with — our institutional brand guidelines, cementing �Ӱ�ԭ��’s ability to provide professional and polished communications.

�Ӱ�ԭ�� University communications follow Canadian Press (CP) editorial style and the Canadian Oxford Dictionary for spelling. CP editorial style is the standard used by most Canadian journalists, including the CBC and the aforementioned Canadian Press newswire, and will ensure our communications are formatted consistently in line the majority of Canadian news websites and agencies.

• The can be purchased as a hardcopy or accessed online via an annual digital license. As of 2026, the book can be purchased for $43.50, an annual subscription costs $49.95.
• A free online version of the Canadian Oxford Dictionary is accessible to �Ӱ�ԭ�� employees working on campus Wi-Fi.

Alongside the stylebook and dictionary, this internal style guide provides additional information on style and/or writing conventions particular to the university.

For any writing or style-related questions that are not answered in this style guide, please contact editor@carleton.ca.

Institutional References

When referring to �Ӱ�ԭ�� University or any other university, lowercase mentions of “university” or “the university” when used alone (e.g., the university’s priorities/�Ӱ�ԭ�� University’s priorities).

Lowercase the names of academic and administrative units of the university when subsequent short forms are used after the full reference has been introduced (e.g., Facilities Management and Planning; facilities management).

Capitalize the formal names of programs, e.g., Architectural Studies.

Lowercase the names of program subjects and disciplines in general references, except words that are proper nouns (names of people, places, languages, etc.), examples: history, sociology and French.

Capitalize and italicize formal course names, e.g., Chemistry 1000.

Use “alum” (singular) and “alumni” (plural).

Lowercase the following:

• major, minor, honours, concentration, combined honours, combined major, specialization
• first year, second year, upper year (include hyphens when words are used together to form an adjective, such as second-year student)
• undergraduate, graduate, full-time, part-time
• fall term, winter term

Convocation

When writing about topics related to convocation, use the following terms:

• Graduation is the process in which a program’s degree requirements have been met and the student has been approved by Senate to graduate from the program.
• Convocation is the ceremony where students receive their degrees.
• A Graduand is a student who is about to receive their degree at convocation.
• A Graduate is someone who has received a degree or diploma.
• Honorary degree is spelled without a “u”, while honour is spelled with a “u”.

Degrees

Commonly used degree references:

• bachelor’s degree, Bachelor of Arts (BA), B.Sc., B.Comm
• master’s degree, Master of Arts (MA), M.Sc.
• doctoral degree or doctorate, Doctor of Philosophy (area of study), PhD

When referring to �Ӱ�ԭ�� alumni, separate the degree designation from the year of graduation with a forward slash, e.g., B.Sc./89.

Titles

Lowercase professional titles when they follow a name, example: Yaprak Baltacioğlu, the chancellor of �Ӱ�ԭ�� University. Titles preceding a name should be capitalized.

The honorific “Dr.” should only be used if the subject is a physician, dentist, chiropractor, optometrist or psychologist.

Dates and Times

Abbreviate the following months: Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., and Dec.

When referencing a month without a day or with a year only, spell out the month in full (e.g., the event takes place each November, or the event happened in September 1963).

Use p.m. or a.m. for time, not PM or am and don’t include empty decimals for times without minutes, e.g., use 3 p.m. or 3:30 p.m., but not 3:00 p.m.

Consider using noon or midnight for 12 p.m. or 12 a.m. to avoid confusion.

When indicating a span of time, use “to” instead of “-“, e.g., 3 to 4 p.m.

Punctuation

Always place periods and commas inside quotation marks.

Place commas between the elements of a series but not before the final “and” (in other words, do not use serial/Oxford commas).

Use the em-dash (—) to create a strong break within a sentence, leaving space on either side (e.g., “I’ve been laughed at, ignored — but I’m boring you.”)

Use the en-dash (–) to show the ranges in numbers and dates or spans of time (e.g., 1960–1980 or “examples can be found on pages 16–22”).

Inclusive Language

Use gender-neutral language or the subject’s specified pronouns. Examples of a few gender-neutral language choices are listed below:

• People (not mankind)
• First-year (not freshman)
• Chair (not chairman)
• Constructed (not man-made)
• Student’s syllabus (not his/her syllabus)
• Police officer (not policeman)

Only reference a person’s age when relevant and accurate. Capitalize the Indigenous term Elder as it is an honoured title for someone who holds both age and wisdom.

Capitalize the proper names of nationalities, religions, peoples and culture. Black (capitalized) is acceptable in reference to people of African descent. In Canada, Black-Canadian is commonly used.

2SLGBTQIA+ is an acronym that represents Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual and people who identify as part of sexual and gender diverse communities.

Additional Writing Resources

• How to Write for the Web (�Ӱ�ԭ�� Web Services)
• Creating Accessible Documents (�Ӱ�ԭ�� Web Services)
• (Government of Canada)

For questions regarding equity and inclusion, please contact the Department of Equity and Inclusive Communities at equity@carleton.ca.

Indigenous Communications Guide

During consultations for the Kinàmàgawin Report, participants indicated the need for a communications resource that would support the use of accurate, considerate and consistent language when writing or speaking about Indigenous Peoples.

This section of the style guide is a resource to support respectful communication as it pertains to Indigenous content.

To develop fundamental knowledge about Indigenous Peoples and their experiences, all �Ӱ�ԭ�� employees — particularly those working in communications and marketing — are highly encouraged to complete the Kinàmàgawin Indigenous Learning Certificate offered through the Centre for Indigenous Support and Community Engagement.

The program is comprised of four workshops on the following topics:

1. Anti-Indigenous racism in Canada
2. Institutional anti-Indigenous racism and education
3. Indigenous student experiences and the Centre for Indigenous Support and Community Engagement
4. Practicing allyship and righting relations

Indigenous Peoples

“Indigenous” is an internationally used term to refer to people who are the original peoples of a particular territory and their descendants.

As there are more than 370 million Indigenous Peoples worldwide, it is important to be as specific as possible when discussing Indigenous people.

In Canada, Indigenous Peoples are referred to as First Nation, Inuit and Métis. There are over 600 First Nation communities, over 50 Inuit communities and over 200 Métis communities.

Therefore, the more specific we can be when referring to Indigenous Peoples, the better, as it takes us away from a pan-Indigenous, monolithic notion of who Indigenous Peoples are.

For example: If someone is Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, they are Algonquin, which is a First Nation community.

Territory Acknowledgement

Version 1: �Ӱ�ԭ�� University acknowledges the location of its campus on the traditional, unceded territories of the Algonquin Anishinàbeg nation.

Version 2: �Ӱ�ԭ�� University acknowledges the location of its campus on the traditional, unceded territories of the Algonquin Anishinàbeg nation. In doing so, �Ӱ�ԭ�� acknowledges it has a responsibility to the Algonquin people and a responsibility to adhere to Algonquin cultural protocols.

For more information and the most current recommendations on providing a territory acknowledgment, please review �Ӱ�ԭ��’s Algonquin Territory Acknowledgement policies and procedures webpage.

People / Peoples

Use uppercase “Indigenous” and “Indigenous Peoples” in all references. “Indigenous Peoples” is an umbrella term that includes First Nations, Métis and Inuit in Canada.

Avoid possessive or blended constructs (e.g., “Canada’s Indigenous Peoples” or “Indigenous Canadians”). Use instead Indigenous Peoples in Canada, Métis people in Manitoba, etc.

Indigenous Peoples are not a homogeneous group. Whenever possible, use the specific name of the community or affiliation (e.g., Cree, Mohawk, Blackfoot, Ojibwa, Nunatsiavut, Tsuut’ina First Nation).

The word “Inuit” means “the people,” so avoid the redundant phrase “Inuit people”. The singular of Inuit is “Inuk.”

• Inuit from Nunatsiavut are called Nunatsiavummiut
• Inuit from Nunavik are called Nunavimmiut
• Inuit from Nunavut are called Nunavummiut
• Inuit from the Inuvialuit region are Inuvialuit

Do not confuse Inuit and Innu, a First Nation people who live in Labrador and northeastern Québec.

Capitalization

Capitalize Indigenous identities, including Elder, Traditional Knowledge Keeper, Survivors, to show respect.

Lowercase the term “residential schools”.

Language and Locations

There are many different Indigenous languages spoken in Canada.

For example, the language of the Inuit is known collectively as Inuktitut. There are many dialects of Inuktitut, which vary from region to region across the circumpolar north with various spellings and pronunciations.

When it comes to Indigenous languages, always refer to the subject’s preference.

If a language other than English or French is spoken, include it in the body of the story.

Indigenous place names or terms from an Indigenous language should not be italicized or put in quotation marks.

Use the word “community” instead of “reserve”. If you want to indicate that the community has a reserve, then say that the “community is located on a reserve”. Note that “reservation” is the term used in the United States.

Individual communities have different governing structures; refer to the community’s preferred terminology when referencing.

Additional Indigenous Resources

• (CBC News / YouTube)
• by Chelsea Vowel
• (website showing global Indigenous territory maps, languages and more)