Numbers, Names and Titles

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Numbers

Spelling out numbers under 10

For numbers under 10, use number words (one, two, etc.).

Numerals for 10 and over

Use numerals for all numbers 10 or over, including ordinals, e.g., 22nd.

Days of the month

Days of the month should be written in numeric form, omitting rd, th, st, nd.

• April 6, June 1

Degrees, ratios, percentages, ages and credit hours

Use numerals (and standard marks, as below) for degrees, ratios, percentages, persons' ages, and course or program credit hours.

• 40 degrees 45 minutes north latitude
• 21 degrees Fahrenheit below zero or 21F below zero
• 6%
• 7 years old
• 3 credit hours

Consistency within a series

To maintain consistency within a series, use numerals if more than half of the numbers are 10 or over; otherwise, use number words within a series.

• 22 hours, 12 minutes, 6 seconds
• Twelve hats, five purses, five umbrellas, seven sweaters and sixteen pairs of shoes were sold yesterday.

Millions and billions

When numbers run into the millions, use the words million, billion, etc., with the numeral.

• 17.9 million
• 3 billion

Phone numbers

Use hyphens when writing phone numbers, e.g., 800-555-1212 or 401-792-2075. When set in display, precede the number by Phone: or Fax:. Do not allow phone numbers to be broken at the end of a line and continued on the next.

ZIP codes

Use extended ZIP codes wherever possible.

Million, billion, etc., with numerals

A hyphen is not used to join numerals and the words million, billion, etc., even in a phrase such as the athletics department's $200 million capital campaign.

Unnecessary zeros

Avoid unnecessary zeros.

• Hours of the day should be expressed as 7 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. Do not use 7:00 p.m. except in lists of events, etc., to preserve alignment of type, or for formal invitations.
• Keep amounts of money simple as well, with the dollar sign – unless tabulated in columns. $3, not $3.00

Beginning a sentence with a number

Do not begin a sentence with a numeral; use the number word (twenty-seven, three hundred, etc.), or precede the reference to a number with other text (rearrange the sentence). Please note that number words under 100 (and those parts of number words for numbers above 100) should be hyphenated when they consist of two words.

• Thirteen is my lucky number.
• When it comes to lucky numbers, mine is 13.

Number words followed by numerals

Do not add a numeral in parentheses after use of a number word.

• three copies, not three (3) copies

Fractions

Use hyphens to set off fractions if fractions are not available in a particular font: 8-1/2" x 11".

Names

First reference

Always give full name (or two initials with last name) of individuals the first time they appear in an article, unless the individual prefers otherwise.

Avoid use of the title Dr. for holders of a Ph.D. Reserve Dr. for physicians, dentists, ophthalmologists or veterinarians.

Subsequent reference

After referring to an individual by full name, journalistic style indicates that the second reference should be to last name only, e.g., Smith.

When two people with the same last name are quoted in a story, e.g., brothers such as Sam and Tom Kendricks, use the first and last name for each quote, e.g., Sam Kendricks said. However, Tom Kendricks said, …

If the story is informal, then the first names only can be used on second reference, e.g., Sam said. However, Tom said, …

Women's names

Refer to a woman by her full name, not by her husband's name, and vice versa, unless the individual requests it.

Titles

Professor

Do not qualify the title professor with associate or assistant before a person's name, but do qualify it after the name.

• professor Ann Brown
• Ann Brown, associate professor of biology

Long titles

Avoid using long titles before the names of people, such as Chair and associate professor of African American Studies Cornelius Bynum. Use Cornelius Bynum, chair and associate professor of African American Studies.

Honorifics

Avoid honorifics wherever possible. When using honorifics to refer to a husband and wife, follow the individuals' preference when known.

Referring to a woman by her husband's name, as in Mr. and Mrs. Robert Smith, is, in general, to be avoided, although it is still preferred by some individuals, especially in social, versus business, settings.

Parallel structure

Maintain parallel structure when assigning professional titles, especially in lists. Avoid the following:

Committee members:

• Dr. Jones
• Pres. Noble
• U.R. Hughes
• Prof. Day
• L. Gui, Ph.D.
• Andrea Fault, Esq.

Chair

When referring to a department, panel or board chairperson, the preferred title is chair.

• John Bruce is chair of the Ray Mabus Department of Political Science.
• John Bruce chairs the Ray Mabus Department of Political Science.

Reverend

The abbreviation Rev. should never be used without the first name or initials. It also should be preceded by the word the.

In formal uses, such as programs and invitations, the Reverend should be spelled out.

• The Reverend Joseph T. Lehman