The University of Waterloo hosts its own Writing Style Guide and this resource provides the most accurate and up-to-date information about written style and complements the Canadian Oxford Dictionary and The Canadian Press Stylebook.
The updated guide is a propriety resource designed specifically for Waterloo communicators. In alignment with other brand assets, this resource, now housed on an authenticated SharePoint site, is accessible to those with a Waterloo email address to maintain brand integrity and reputation. A link to SharePoint is available from the public Waterloo brand website.
Updates include:
- Additional information and clarification in the Formatting section (e.g., hyphen, numbered lists, alumni degree information).
- Updated information and references in the People and titles section.
- Adapted Spelling and language conventions section with additional definitions and best practices, and inclusive communications conventions.
The updates align with current guidance from the Canadian Press, and reflect feedback and recommendations from campus communicators. The process also included consultation with varied campus experts, including the Office of Indigenous Relations, Campus Accessibility, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-racism, and University Relations.
The sections that are most beneficial to curriculum developers: