All publications have a "style book" that covers its policies in regard to punctuation, syntax, usage, and similar matters in cases where several different methods are acceptable. This is the start of our list of such rules for articles written as assignments for this course, particularly articles for the SCISL News weblog.
1. Avoid the use of initials for school names because they are too similar (SCCS, SCIS, SCCLC, SCISL, etc.) On first mention the name of the school should be given as Cooperative, International, Christian Learning, or Cambridge. In sports stories you may use the school mascots as a substitute for the school name (the Jaguars, the Griffins, the Eagles, and the Knights). When referring to the Santa Cruz Interscholastic Sports League (SCISL), generally just say "the League" (note capital).
2. In sports stories and most news stories use the past tense to describe actian that has occurred. There is a way of using the present tense in such stories, but we don't use it.
3. Indent for paragraphs. Don't skip a line. (This is a change from past practice when the weblog did not allow a paragraph indent.)
4.Give a person's full name on first mention, and last name on second mention. We don't use "honorifics" like Mr., Sr. Mrs. Ms., Miss, Srta., Sra. Lic., etc., with the exception of Dr. for medical doctors.
5. To the maximum extent possible use Times New Roman 12 pt.type. (On the weblog this is "normal" size.)
6. Headlines use the same type font, but are boldfaced and printed in "largest" size on the weblog.
7. By-lines can appear either cenered at the top of an article or flush right in italics at the end, but should be consistent in any given project.
