Professional Documents
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NP Staff Handbook 2015
NP Staff Handbook 2015
STAFF HANDBOOK
Revised September 2013
North Pointe is the official student newspaper at Grosse Pointe North High School of the Grosse Pointe
Public School System in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan.
As a public forum for student expression, the students determine the content of the publication without
prior review. Opinions expressed represent the bylined author or the editorial board.
Location:
Contact:
Phone: 313.432.3248
Fax: 313.432.3257
Email: northpointe@gpschools.org
Web: myGPN.org
Format:
Adviser:
The North Pointe is edited and produced by Advanced Journalism students at Grosse Pointe North High School and is published bi-weekly.
Comments should be directed to the student editors, who are responsible for all of the newspapers content.
The views expressed are solely those of the authors or the student editorial board and do not reflect the opinions of the Grosse Pointe
school system or its employees.
We are a member of the Michigan Scholastic Press Association, Columbia Scholastic Press Association and National Scholastic Press
Association. We subscribe to McClatchy-Tribune Information Services and iStockphoto.com.
One copy of is available free to all community members. Additional copies may be purchased. Our editorial policy and advertising rates are
available online at: myGPN.org. The North Pointe is printed on 100 percent recycled paper.
CONTACT US
707 Vernier Road
Grosse Pointe Woods MI, 48236
Phone: 313.432.3248
Fax: 313.432.3257
E-mail: northpointe@gpschools.org
Website: myGPN.org
2 | N o r t h P o i n t e S t a f f H a n d b o o k
THE RULES
North Pointe staff members are given a high level
of freedom and responsibility, so formal rules and
classroom discipline should seldom be necessary.
However, here are some ideas that will make life
more pleasant for everyone if followed.
Lead by example.
Work with intensity.
Act with integrity.
Pay attention to detail.
N o r t h P o i n t e S t a f f H a n d b o o k | 3
Cheating: I will not cheat on academic assignments for journalism or use North Pointe time and resources to
cheat for another class. Examples:
Using or attempting to use, for any of my classes, unauthorized assistance, material or study aids in
examinations or other academic exercises, using resources not expressly approved by the teacher, working
with another student without teacher approval, tampering with grades, purchasing a paper written by
someone else or paying someone to write an assignment for me.
Knowingly providing material or information to another person who will use it dishonestly.
Knowingly failing to report any incident of academic dishonesty of which I have actual knowledge.
Conflicts of interest: I will avoid even the appearance of conflicts of interest by not being personally involved in
a story I cover. Exceptions must be discussed with an executive editor. Examples:
I will never submit work (story or photograph) about an organization, club or team to which I belong or to
which I previously belonged without the approval of an executive editor. If an editor offers such a story to
me, I will immediately disclose my conflict of interest and request another assignment.
I will not use a close friend, relative, or employer as a source without approval of an executive editor. I will
select, as sources for my story, informed people with whom I have had no close personal relationship, or
informed people whom I know only casually at school.
Fabrication: I will not submit for publication anything that is untrue, or that I have reason to believe is untrue.
Examples:
Making up information, falsifying or manipulating quotes (even with a sources permission), faking anecdotes,
creating fictitious sources or citing nonexistent research.
If I believe a source may not be telling the truth, I will not use the information and I will seek a more reliable
and credible source. I will also point out any such suspicions to an executive editor.
Plagiarism is defined as submitting another persons work, whether previously published or not, as my own,
or taking portions of another persons work, whether published or not, and presenting them as my own in
my work without properly using quotations and attributing the source.
I will read the North Pointe (1) School Board Policy, (2) Editorial Policy, (3) Libel Law Overview and (4) Code of
Ethics, which contain detailed explanations of the above topics.
I understand the seriousness of these issues and realize how strictly violations will be dealt with.
I accept the responsibility of upholding the reputation and integrity of the North Pointe staff.
Student signature
4 | N o r t h P o i n t e S t a f f H a n d b o o k
Parent signature: My child is aware of these policies
SchoolBoardPolicyJHCAStudentMedia
Adapted by the Board of Education, August 2006
Freedom of expression and freedom of the press are
core values in our democratic society. The mission of the
Grosse Pointe Public Schools includes teaching students
these values, both by example and by lesson.
As determined by the courts, student exercise of
freedom of expression and freedom of the press are
protected by both state and federal law, especially by the
First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Grosse Pointe
Public School administrators and teachers are
responsible for encouraging and ensuring freedom of
expression and freedom of the press for all students,
regardless of whether the ideas expressed may be
considered unpopular, critical, controversial, tasteless or
offensive.
Schoolsponsored student media include print, oral, or
electronic media that are created, composed, compiled,
published, and/or distributed under the supervision of
an advisor employed by the school system or appointed
by the school system to supervise that particular
AppealingDecisiontoRestrainPublication
A student may appeal a decision by the adviser, the
principal, or the designated assistant principal to
remove an article or item or to cancel distribution. At
every stage of the appeal process, those considering the
appeal will determine if the article or item in question:
6 | N o r t h P o i n t e S t a f f H a n d b o o k
EDITORIAL POLICY
Advertising
Billing Terms
AnonymousSources:SeeSources
Censorship:SeeSchoolBoardPolicy,Page7
In the unlikely event of censorship or prior review by
school administrators, it is the students role and not the
advisers to respectfully and intelligently oppose the
censorship through proper channels. It is the students
freedom that is at stake and the adviser does not enjoy
those rights in the school setting. The editors should also
contact the Student Press Law Center for advice (703
8071904, splc@splc.org).
ConflictofInterest
Staff must avoid the appearance of conflicts of interest
by not being personally involved in the stories they
cover. Exceptions must be discussed with an executive
editor. Examples include:
N o r t h P o i n t e S t a f f H a n d b o o k | 7
Corrections
The North Pointe is obligated to correct any error as
soon as possible, no matter the level of consequence for
the error. The corrections are generally ran in the news
briefs section, unless the error is so egregious to warrant
more Page 1 placement. The absence of such corrections
calls into question a mediums ability to call itself a
public forum.
Anyone who reports an error in the North Pointe should
be directed to talk to the adviser or editor in person.
Sometimes critics are rude. Staff members must never
allow anyone (even an adult) to berate or intimidate
them. See Criticism.
Errors in grammar will not receive a public correction.
CriticismfromReaders
The North Pointe encourages reader feedback, including
criticism. Sometimes critics are rude. Staff members
must never allow anyone (even an adult) to berate or
intimidate them. Notify the editor or adviser.
DisciplineofNorthPointestaffmembers:
SeeExecutiveBoard
EditorialBoard
The North Pointe Editorial Board consists of the editor,
managing editors and deputy (section) editors. Two staff
members to represent the general staff may be selected
at the discretion of the editor.
The board meets each issue to inform section editors of
coverage and production plans. The board will also
discuss and vote on the position for the staff editorial.
The editor will assign a writer for the editorial and later
ensure the position taken reflects the boards directive.
The reporter writing who has written the news report
will not write the editorial.
Editorial Board meetings are generally held on Tuesdays
prior to production nights. The purpose is to plan the
next issue and approve Ideas page items including the
editorial.
Sample Editorial Board Meeting Agenda
1.
Editors announcements
2.
Advisers announcements
3.
4.
Death
5.
8 | N o r t h P o i n t e S t a f f H a n d b o o k
a.
b.
6.
7.
Editorials&Letters
The Editorial Board votes to approve editorials.
Errors:SeeCorrections
ExecutiveBoard
The North Pointe Executive Board consists of the
adviser, the editorinchief and other editors appointed
by those two. The Executive Board makes all policy
decisions and governs the daytoday operation of the
newspaper. A policy decision may be overturned by a
twothirds majority vote of the Editorial Board. The
Executive Board meets weekly; more often if needed.
The Executive Board, in consultation with the adviser,
will make recommendations to the adviser regarding
disciplinary actions and staffing problems. The final
decisions on these matters will rest with the adviser.
Gifts
Reporters should not accept gifts in their role on the
North Pointe staff. Promotional items for reviews
coverage may be accepted by the adviser on behalf of the
staff. The items will be given to student reporters for the
purpose of writing a review.
FairUse
Libel&Privacy:Seealsolibelpolicy,Page17
myGPN.org
Obscene:SeealsoProfanity
JournalismHonorsSociety:
Criteriaforgraduationcords
Wearing an honors cord at the graduation ceremony is a
select privilege.
N o r t h P o i n t e S t a f f H a n d b o o k | 9
PriorReview:SeealsoCensorship
The North Pointe will not be prior reviewed by
administration, faculty or students prior to its release to
the public. The editor or adviser may seek advice from
the administration at any point in production.
Sources may, upon request, be presented with a copy of
their quotations for confirmation by the reporter
assigned to the story. The adviser must be informed in
the event of such a request. Sources will not be allowed
to preview a draft of a story before publication. Anyone
pressured on this policy must notify the adviser.
ProhibitedMaterial
Reprinted with permission: Student Press Law Center,
Washington, DC, 202-466-5242 (www.splc.org)
10 | N o r t h P o i n t e S t a f f H a n d b o o k
Profanity
Profanity and bad taste are not illegal, yet it is
reasonable for a student publication to avoid both. It is
difficult to make absolute rules governing the use of
stories and illustrations that have the potential to offend
readers. If a writer and section editor feel profanity is
necessary to appropriately tell a story, approval of the
Editorial Board is required.
Reporting
Editorial and opinion articles will be clearly
distinguished from news reports, which must be free
from editorializing. Reporters will not falsity
information, invent quotes, quote out of context, or
deceive people of their role as a reporter. Polls will be
scientifically based, with statistically accurate sampling
methods. Reporters will strive to present multiple
perspectives on issues.
StaffMembership
The privilege of serving on the North Pointe staff is
earned by completing the prerequisite course of
Journalism or Honors Journalism with grades of a B or
better each semester. The prerequisite can be waived by
the adviser. Behaviors that warrant dismissal from a
staff position include but are not limited to:
RRatedEntertainment
Sources
ThePIHFchecklist
There are four elements a person must establish in order to
prove he or she has been defamed: (1) Publication, (2)
Identification, (3) Harm and (4) Fault. Each of the four
elements must be proven. For example, even if a story you
have written meets the publication, harm and fault
elements, a libel claim will still fail if you have not
identified the claimant.
Publication
Harm
A statement is harmful if it seriously shames, ridicules,
disgraces or injures a persons reputation or causes others
to do so. Statements that are mildly embarrassing or
merely confusing or inaccurate will not meet the harm
test.
The following are examples of Red Flag statements that
could cause significant harm to a persons reputation; extra
caution is advised:
Publication can take many forms and does not simply mean
that the statement has been printed in a newspaper or
other document. For example, a defamatory statements
presence on a computer screen in the newsroom where it
is read by other students could constitute publication.
Identification
A statement identifies a person if it is shown that it is of
and concerning that person.
Disguising a Subjects Identity: Where you successfully
omit or alter a subjects identity, they cannot successfully
sue you for libel. Care should be taken that: (1) the
subjects identity has been disguised enough so that no one
can reasonably make an identification and (2) the
disguised subject does not resemble some third party who
would then have cause for complaint. Every story should
clearly state what facts have been altered.
Group Libel: Individuals can be defamed; groups of people
cannot be. The key question is whether a statement about a
group can reasonably be interpreted to refer to a specific
individual in the group. While there is no hard rule, several
courts have indicated that individual members of a group
larger than 25 will have a difficult time proving that they
have suffered individual harm. On the other hand,
individuals in a smaller group may be able to claim that
their reputation has been damaged. For example, the
generic statement, the tennis team is being investigated
for substance abuse could subject a publication to a libel
suit if the team consists of just 12 members.
Corporation or Entity Libel: Corporations and other
business entities, including private schools and religious
12 | N o r t h P o i n t e S t a f f H a n d b o o k
Fault
OpinionVersusFact
Defensestolibelclaims
If a libel plaintiff proves each of the four PIHF elements, the
burden then shifts to the publication to offer one of the
following defenses:
Consent
A person who consents to the media's use of a libelous
statement about him cannot later sue if the statement does,
in fact, injure his or her reputation. Note that special issues
can arise when dealing with a younger person's ability to
provide valid consent.
Truth
Truth, while it must still be proven, is an absolute defense
to libel. In many cases involving media defendants the
burden is actually on the person suing not on the
publication to prove the falsity of specific statements.
Privilege
Subject to several requirements, which may vary by state,
the media is protected from liability when they publish fair
and accurate accounts of official public proceedings and
reports even if the information reported later turns out to
be false. For example, if a police report states that Jack
Smith was arrested and a newspaper accurately reports
the information, the newspaper will not be held liable even
if it is later revealed that police actually arrested Jack
Brown and officers made a mistake when they wrote down
his name. To qualify for the privilege:
N o r t h P o i n t e S t a f f H a n d b o o k | 13
CODE OF ETHICS
Adapted with permission from The NSPA Model Code of Ethics for High School Journalists
1BeResponsible.
(1.1)Understandthatstudentsare
custodians,notowners,oftheNorth
Pointe,andtheyhaveaninherent
obligationindecisionmakingto
considerthereputationof
publication,thevaluesoftheschool
community,theeducational
concernsofschoolofficials,andthe
wantsofreaders.
(1.2)Keepyourself,thereporter,out
ofprint.Itsnotaboutyou;its
aboutthereadersyouserve.Forthe
mostpart,studentreportersand
editorsshouldnotappearinthe
NorthPointeunlesstheyare
legitimatenewsmakers.Inthose
cases,theparticularstudent
journalistsshouldhavenoinfluence
onthecoverage,andanyconflictof
interestshouldbedisclosed.
(1.3)Striveforsubstantivestories
thatproduceinsight,generate
accountabilityandinspirereader
interestandengagement.Donot
yieldtothosewhowouldsuppress
suchinsightorresistaccountability.
(1.4)Rememberthatprotectionsof
theFirstAmendmentwerecreated
toservenotthepressbutratherthe
people,andasajournalistyoumust
guardthepeoplesinterestsabove
allothers.
(1.5)Knowthelegalrightsof
studentjournalistsandbalance
thoserightswithethical
responsibilities.Havingtherightto
saysomethingdoesntmake itright
tosayit.
(1.6)DefendrelentlesslytheFirst
Amendmentrightsofstudents.
Protectrelentlesslymediaadvisers
fromretributionbroughtaboutby
theiradvocacyofstudentrights.
(1.7)Demonstratecredibilityand
exemplifytrustworthiness,
reliability,dependabilityand
integrityinandbeyondjournalism
work.Yourpersonalattributesaffect
theintegrityoftheNorthPointe.
(1.8)Becarefulincoveringstories
aboutwrongdoingnottoperpetuate
misdeeds.Forexample,printinga
photographofmaliciousgraffiti
expandsthevandalscanvas.
(1.9)Donotallowvulgarorprofane
languagetoovershadowthe
essenceofastory.Ifused,have
compellingpurposeandrationaleto
justifytheaudiencesneedtoread
vulgarorprofanewords.Consider
alternativestousingprofanity.For
example,wordsmaybepartially
obscuredorbleeped.Donotuse
profanityinopinionarticles,suchas
editorials,columnsandletterstothe
editor.
(1.10)Maintainacommendable
workethicpursuingexcellence,
takinginitiative,keepingtotask,
meetingdeadlinesandtakingcareof
theworkplaceandequipment.
Inspirefellowstaffmemberstodo
thesame.
(1.11)Cultivaterespectforyour
adviser,fellowstaffers,school
officialsandothers.Nurturean
effectiveworkingrelationshipwithin
thestaff.Keepemotionsincheck.
Supportteameffortingatheringand
reportingnews.Beloyalin
protectingthebestinterestsofyour
newsmedium.
(1.12)Knowwhentoshowrestraint
inpursuingstories.Forexample,a
spontaneousdemonstrationinthe
cafeteriabythreestudents
protestingtheinschoolsuspension
ofafriendmayreceivenotoriety,
butitsnewsvaluelikelyis
insignificant.Furthermore,coverage
oftheincidentmaybolsterthe
participantsandemboldenothersto
disruptthecafeteriatoo.
(1.13)Exemplifyeffectiveleadership
throughthepowerofperformance
ratherthanthepowerofposition.
Expressgenuineinterestinevery
staffmember.Besensitivetoother
pointsofview.Inspireteamwork
14 | N o r t h P o i n t e S t a f f H a n d b o o k
andintrinsicmotivation.Prioritize
mentoringoverclout.
2BeFair.
(2.1)Beginthesearchfortruthwith
aneutralmind.Donotprejudge
issuesorevents;waituntilthefacts
andperspectiveshavebeen
gatheredandweighed.Discover
truthwithoutlettingpersonalbiases
getintheway.Teachpeopletolive
bytruthbypresentinginformation
objectivelyinacontextthatreveals
relevanceandsignificance.
(2.2)Explorecontroversialissues
dispassionatelyandimpartially.
Dontgointoastorywithapersonal
agenda.
(2.3)Justifycoveragedecisionsby
showingnewsworthinessofstory.
Donotuseyourpositionwiththe
papertoinflateyourego,favor
friends,oradvanceotherpersonal
agendasthatareselfserving.For
example,ifyouprofileanathleteof
theweek,bereadytoshowthe
criteriaandobjectiveprocessfor
selection.
(2.4)Pursueapanoramicvisionof
issuesandeventstoachievebalance
andfairness.Youmaynotknow
whatthestoryreallyisuntilthe
storyunfoldsasyouresearchitand
talkwithsources.
(2.5)Welcomediverseperspectives
andparticularlyrebuttalstoeditorial
positions.
(2.6)Refrainfromgettinginthelast
wordbyattachinganeditorsnote
toalettertotheeditor.Inrare
circumstances,aclarificationnote
maybejustified.
(2.7)Takeinitiativetogivesubjects
ofallegationsanopportunityto
respondinatimelymanner.Makea
seriousefforttocontactthose
subjectsbeforegoingwithastoryin
ordertoallowaresponse.
(2.8)Labelorotherwiseclearly
identifyeditorials,opinioncolumns
andpersonalperspectives.
(2.9)Discloseanypotentialconflict
ofinterestbyajournalist.For
example,conflictsofinterestscould
involvepersonalrelationshipswith
newssubjectsorsources,
associationswithorganizations,gifts
andperksandvestedinterestsin
issuesorevents.
(2.10)Appreciatethefactthatat
anygiventimeareporterseesonlya
partofwhatcanbeseen.Dont
jumptoconclusions.
3BeHonest.
(3.1)Donotplagiarize.Plagiarismis
definedasthewordforword
duplicationofanotherpersons
writingorclosesummarizationof
theworkofanothersourcewithout
givingthesourcecredit.A
comparableprohibitionappliesto
theuseofgraphics.
andnotreporting.Thegrowthof
narrativestorydevelopment
(storytellingdevices)meansthat
reportersandeditorsshouldbe
especiallycarefultonotmixfactand
fiction,andnotembellishfactwith
fictionaldetails,regardlessoftheir
significance.
(3.3)Identifyyourselfasareporter
anddonotmisrepresentyourself
whileengagedinjournalismtasks.
Forexample,asourcedeservesto
knowifheisengagedincasual
conversationwithastudentormore
guardedconversationwitha
reporter.
(3.4)Donottoleratedishonestyof
anystaffmember.Onedishonestact
ofanindividualcanprofoundly
damagethereputationofawhole
newsorganization.Becompletely
honestinreporting.Remember,
halftruthscanbejustasegregious
asoutrightlies.
Informationobtainedfroma
publishedworkmustbe
independentlyverifiedbeforeitcan
bereportedasanew,originalstory.
Thispolicyalsoforbidslifting
verbatimparagraphsfromawire
servicewithoutattributionor
pointingoutthatwirestorieswere
usedincompilingthestory.
(3.5)Standbypromises,including
protectingtheidentityof
confidentialsources.Consider
sourcesmotivesbeforepromising
anonymity.Verifyinformationgiven
byananonymoussource.Be
cautiousinmakingpromises;consult
editors;taketimetoconsider
ramificationsofpromises;dontbe
pressured.
Becauseplagiarismcansignificantly
underminethepublictrustof
journalistsandjournalism,editors
shouldbepreparedtoconsider
severepenaltiesfordocumented
casesofplagiarism,including
suspensionordismissalfromthe
staff.Plagiarismisnotonly
unethical,itisillegalifthematerial
iscopyrightprotected.
(3.6)Beguardedaboutthe
credibilityofsources,andconfirm
questionableassertions.Donotbe
misledbyinsincereorunreliable
sources.Trynottomakereader
guesswhetherasourceissincere.
Forexample,anuntruthfulor
embellishedquotefromasource
cantaintbeliefinthesincerityof
othercontributorsaswell.
(3.2)Donotfabricateanyaspect
journalismworkwithoutfull
disclosure.Theuseofcomposite
charactersorimaginarysituationsor
characterswillnotbeallowedin
newsorfeaturestories.Acolumnist
may,occasionally,usesuchan
approachindevelopingapiece,but
itmustbecleartothereaderthat
thepersonorsituationisfictional
andthatthecolumniscommentary
(3.7)Becautiousofusingsatire.
Becauseitinvolvesironyand
sarcasm,itisoftenmisunderstood.
Becauseitusuallyinvolvesridicule,
itcouldbecarriedtoan
inappropriatelevelinaschool
setting.Forexample,because
specialAprilFoolsDayeditionscan
damageapapersintegrityand
credibility,andbecausetheycan
posealibelrisk,theNorthPointe
doesnotpublishthem.
(3.8)Donotelectronicallyalterthe
contentofnewsandfeaturephotos
inanywaythataffectsthe
truthfulnessofthesubjectand
contextofthesubjectorscene.
Technicalenhancements,suchas
contrastandexposureadjustments,
areallowedsolongastheydonot
createafalseimpression.Photo
contentmaybealteredforcreative
purposesasaspecialeffectfora
featurestoryifthecaptionorcredit
lineincludesthatfactandifan
averagereaderwouldnotmistake
thephotoforreality.Striveto
recordoriginalactioninphotos,and
makesurereadersareawareifa
photoissetuporposed.
(3.9)Ifusingarecordingdevice,get
intervieweespermissionandmake
itobviouswiththeplacementofthe
devicethatyouintendtorecord.
Michiganlawrequiresbothpeople
toagreetorecordaconversation.
4BeAccurate.
(4.1)Rememberthataccuracyis
oftenmorethanjustaquestionof
gettingthefactsright.Accuracyalso
requiresputtingthefactstogether
inacontextthatisrelevantand
revealsthetruth.
(4.2)Beafirsthandwitness
wheneveryoucan.Gatherrawfacts.
Email,newsreleases,press
conferences,officialstatementsand
thelikearenosubstitutefor
firsthandaccountsandoriginal
investigation.
(4.3)Reviewstoriestomakesure
informationispresentedcompletely
andinpropercontextthatwillnot
misleadthenewsconsumer.
(4.4)Knowyoursubjectshistoryto
helpmeasurehiscredibilityasa
source.Ifthesubjecthasa
reputationforembellishing
information,makesuretoverify
informationwithanothersource.
(4.5)Bewillingtoreadbackquotes
tocheckforaccuracy.Sometimesa
N o r t h P o i n t e S t a f f H a n d b o o k | 15
sourcemaynotbesayingwhathe
reallymeans.
puthisorhernotepadandcamera
downtopartakeintheevent.
(4.6)Verifyquestionnairesanswered
bysources.Makesurenooneposed
asanotherperson.Checkcomments
forsincerityandaccuracy.
(5.5)Declareanypersonalor
unavoidableconflictofinterest,
perceivedorcertain,incovering
storiesorparticipatingineditorialor
policydecisions.
(4.8)Engageinfactcheckingevery
story.Traincopyreaderstospotred
flagsandtoverifyquestionable
information.
(4.9)Becautiousaboutinformation
receivedviatheInternet.Notall
sourcesareconsistentlycredible,
includingsitessuchasWikipedia,
YouTube,blogs,andFacebook.
Verifyquestionableinformationby
consultingothersources.
5BeIndependent.
(5.1)Recognizeinherentdifferences
betweentheprofessionalnews
mediaandthestudentnewsmedia,
andunderstandthatthelatterwill
alwaysbesubjecttosomeoversight
byschooladministrators.Show
administratorshowitisintheirbest
interestsandtheschool
communitysbestintereststo
recognizestudentindependence,
withintheparametersoflaw,in
controllingthecontentoftheirnews
medium.
(5.2)Resistpriorreviewasapractice
ofadministrativeoversightinfavor
oflessintrusiveandmoreeffective
oversightstrategies.Priorreview
dilutesstudentresponsibilityand
putsmoreresponsibilityinthe
handsofadministrators.Shouldthe
journalismexperienceteach
responsibilityorobedience?
(5.3)Holdnoobligationtonews
sourcesandnewsmakers.Journalists
andnewsmediashouldavoideven
theappearanceofconflictof
interest.
(5.4)Acceptnogifts,favorsorthings
ofvaluethatcouldcompromise
journalisticindependence,
journalisticethicsorobjectivityin
thereportingtaskathand.For
example,areportercoveringa
SpanishClubbuffeteventshouldnot
(5.6)Learnstatelawsregarding
freedomofinformation,open
meetingsandshieldlaws.News
mediaserveanessentialfunctionas
awatchdogofgovernment,and
studentjournalistsshouldnotbe
askedtoengageinanyactivitythat
istheresponsibilityofoutside
agencies,suchaslawenforcement,
schooladministrationand
government.Cooperationor
involvementintheworkofthese
agenciesshouldberestrictedto
whatisrequiredbylaw.Legal
agencies,suchastheStudentPress
LawCentermaybecontactedfor
advice.
(5.7)Avoidworkingforcompeting
newsmediaorforpeople,groupsor
organizationsthatthejournalist
covers.
(5.8)Showcourageand
perseveranceinholdingschool
officialsandotherdecisionmakers
accountablewhenstudentcontrol
ofstudentnewsmediais
threatened.
(5.9)Givenofavorednews
treatmenttoadvertisersorspecial
interestgroups.
(5.10)Guardagainstparticipatingin
anyschoolorganizationsoractivities
thatwouldsignificantlycreatea
conflictofinterest.Journalists
particularlyshouldavoidholding
officeinstudentgovernment,or
theyshouldbepreparedtoexcuse
themselvesineitherjournalismor
governmentforumswhendecision
makingcouldposeaconflictof
interest.
(5.11)Donotuseabylinefor
editorialsthatrepresentthe
opinionsoftheEditorialBoard.
16 | N o r t h P o i n t e S t a f f H a n d b o o k
6MinimizeHarm.
(6.1)Lookbeyondthelikelyimpacts
ofeachstory,keepingalertto
identifyandrespondtoany
unintendedorundesirable
consequencesthestorymayholdin
theshadows.Identifyoptionsfor
dealingwithundesirable
consequences.Determineiffull
disclosureofinformationmay
jeopardizestudentwelfare
unnecessarily;ifso,decidewhatcan
beheldbackwithoutjeopardizing
thepublicsrighttoknow.
(6.2)Reportimmediatelytoschool
authoritiesanypersonwho
threatensthesafetyofhimselfor
others.
(6.3)Chooseanoptionlessoffensive
thanselfcensorshipwhenitis
prudenttodoso.Forexample,the
sonofasecretaryaccusedof
embezzlingfromthestudentactivity
fundmaybeindistresswhen
learningthestudentpaperwillcover
thestory.Tappingtheschool
counselorratherthanengagingin
selfcensorshipisabetterremedyto
helpthesondealwithhisfearof
humiliation.
(6.4)Donotputstudentreportersin
legaljeopardyorphysicaldanger.
Undercoverstoriesmaybeunethical
andmayposesignificantrisks.
Studentjournalistsmustobeythe
law.Forexample,aminorstudent
whoillegallypurchasesliquorto
showreaderswhichstoresviolate
thelawalsoincriminateshimself.
Coveringgangissuesandother
volatiletopicsrequireclosefaculty
supervisionandsafeguardsto
protectstudentwelfare.
(6.5)Beespeciallysensitivetothe
maturityandvulnerabilityofyoung
peoplewhengatheringand
reportinginformation.Take
particularcaretoprotectyoung
sourcesfromtheirownpoor
judgmentwhentheircommentscan
putthemselvesandothersin
jeopardy.
(6.6)Donotallowsourcestousea
newsmediuminmaliciouswaysor
waysthatserveselfinterestabove
thebestinterestsofnews
consumers.Beonconstantguardto
spotclandestineeffortspublish
inappropriatemessages.
7BeAccountable.
(6.7)Showrespectandcompassion
forstudentswhomaybeaffected
detrimentallybynewscoverage.
(7.3)Usepresspassesforadmission
orspecialprivilegesonlyinthe
capacityofaworkingjournalist.
(6.8)Besensitivewhencovering
storiesinvolvingpeopleindistress,
andrejectunreasonableintrusionby
studentmediaintheirlives.
(7.4)Providenewsmediaconsumers
withopportunitiestoevaluate
studentnewsmedia.
(6.9)Balancethepublicsrighttobe
informedwithanindividualsright
tobeletalone.
(6.10)Understandandrespectthe
differentprivacyexpectationsfor
privatecitizens,publicfiguresand
publicofficialswhencoveringissues
andevents.
(6.11)Becautiousaboutidentifying
studentsaccusedofcriminalactsor
disciplinaryinfractions.Avoid
namingminors.Michiganlaw
establishessomeone18yearsoldas
anadult.Ifastudentislegallyan
adult,bereadytoshowacompelling
reasonforidentifyingthename.
Relevancyandnewsvaluecan
constituteacompellingreason.For
example,ifan18yearoldstudent
weresuspendedfromschoolfor
attendingtheHomecomingdance
drunk,thenamelikelywouldnotbe
usedinanewsstory.However,ifthe
studentistheHomecomingQueen,
thenewselementofprominence
mayjustifyusingthename.The
namesofsomecrimevictims,
especiallyvictimsofsexcrimes,
shouldbeprotectedfromdisclosure.
Donotimplicatebyassociation.For
example,donotsayaschool
secretarywasarrestedandcharged
with.Thereadercouldsuspect
anyschoolsecretary.
(7.1)Admitmistakesandpublicize
promptcorrections.
(7.2)Exposeunethicalpracticesof
studentjournalistsandstudent
newsmedia,andmakeremedies.
(7.5)Befriendlyandsincerein
welcomingcriticismandweighing
grievancesfrompublic.
(7.6)Havedialoguewith
administrators,andbepreparedto
justifydecisions,policiesand
actions.
(7.7)Keepnotesandrecordingsof
interviewsforanindefinitetimeas
evidenceofresponsiblereporting.
(7.8)Holdschooladministrators
accountablefortheiractionsand
decisionsjustastheyholdstudent
journalistsandstudentmedia
accountablefortheiractionsand
decisions.
(7.9)Usethepowerofstudent
mediajudiciously,andbeprepared
toproviderationaleforany
decisionsoractionstakenbynews
staffs.
(7.10)Useanonymoussourcesonly
ifthereisacompellingreasonand
onlyiftheinformationgivencanbe
verifiedthroughanother,known
source.Whensourcesarenotgiven,
peoplemayquestionthecredibility
notonlyofthesourcebutalsoof
thenewsmedium.
N o r t h P o i n t e S t a f f H a n d b o o k | 17
North Pointe
Styleguide
A burro is an ass. A burrow is a hole in the
ground. As a journalist you are expected to
know the difference.
The United Press International Stylebook
Styleisusedlooselytorefertocorrectnessinspelling,
grammar,syntax,usageorevenmattersoffact.
AB
ABBREVIATIONS:Whenindoubt,spellitout.
Avoid abbreviations. Dont assume the reader knows
what you are writing about. On first reference, spell out
anything that might be confusing. Student Association
(not S.A.), Advanced Placement (not AP).
When you plan to use an abbreviation later in the story,
do not follow the name of group with the abbreviation in
parentheses. Often, the later abbreviation is unnecessary
with clear writing.
Stylehierarchy
1.
2.
CSPA Stylebook
3.
4.
Dictionary
Top9styleessentials
(1) Abbreviations: When in doubt, spell it out.
(2) Capitalization: Avoid unnecessary capital letters.
(3) Composition titles: Use italics.
accept,except
Accept means to receive: She accepts his invitation to
prom. Except means to exclude: Except she doesnt want
to go with his friends.
ACT
Sources
addresses
administration
Lowercase.
administrator
Never abbreviate.
18 | N o r t h P o i n t e S t a f f H a n d b o o k
AdvancedPlacement
boldfontstyle
adviser
Note the e.
affect
Affect with an a is usually a verb; effect with an e is
usually a noun. To affect is the have an effect on.
Remember that affect is the verb and effect is the noun
and youll almost always be correct.
Two exceptions: Effect can be a verb that means to
bring about, as in to effect change. And affect can be a
noun that means emotional state or the outward
expression thereof, as in the psychological observation
that someone displays a flat affect.
ages
Always use figures. Compound modifiers require
hyphens: A 8yearold girl, a 8yearold, she is 8 years old.
booktitles
See COMPOSITION TITLES.
boysandgirls
Use boys and girls to designate teams. Do not use an
apostrophe: the team does not belong to the boys or to
the girls, but to the school. In most cases, boys or girls is
used as part of a noun phrase: The girls varsity soccer
team beat South High School. The boys cross country team
placed fifth in state competition.
boyfriend
One word.
brackets
Use parentheses instead to show words inserted into a
quote. However, usually, its better to rewrite the direct
quote into an indirect one to avoid awkwardness.
bulleteditems
allright
bylines
alot
Not alright.
a.m.,p.m.
Lowercase, with periods.
AndthenIsaid
And and but are just as eligible as any other words to
start a sentence. And they often work well to provide
continuity or a transition. But I was taught never to do
this, you might say. Well, you were taught wrong.
and/or
Just use or whenever possible.
Bush,PresidentGeorgeW.
The former Presidents name is George W. Bush. He is
not a junior. His fathers name is President George H.W.
Bush. Note, the position of President of the United States
is always capitalized out of respect.
anytime
One word.
app
Acceptable abbreviation for application.
calendaritems
assistantprincipal
babysit,babysitting,babysat,babysitter
black
In a list:
BoardofEducation
cannot
CAPITALIZATION:Avoidunnecessarycapitalletters
Generally, only capitalize formal titles used before an
individuals name.
N o r t h P o i n t e S t a f f H a n d b o o k | 19
commas
See the CSPA STYLEBOOK for a detailed explanation of
proper comma use.
COMPOSITIONTITLES:Useitalics.
Titles are in italics; names are in regular text.
Newspapers and magazines have names, while movies,
books and TV shows have titles.
captain
Lowercase and spell out in such uses as team captain
Steve Yzerman.
cellphone
One word.
chair
Lowercase for the head of departments.
chapters
Capitalize when used with a number in reference to a
section of a book. Always use numberals. Chapter 1.
compoundmodifiers
When two or more adjectives express a single concept,
use a hyphen to link the words. The 12member team, the
36yearold teacher.
courtesytitles
classes
coursetitles.
children
Lowercase.
DH
coach
Do not capitalize.
colleges
Do not abbreviate. Michigan State University, University
of Michigan
colon
In body text, the first word after a colon is capitalized
only if it begins a complete sentence. In headlines, the
first word after a colon is always capitalized.
20 | N o r t h P o i n t e S t a f f H a n d b o o k
dash
dates
Keep the date of the publication in mind when writing
for newspaper readers. Today is the date of the
publication. Be careful not to write in future tense when
the readers will be seeing your story after the event.
daysoftheweek
Always spell out in body text. Monday, not Mon.
departments
Use lowercase except for words that are proper nouns or
adjectives: the social studies department, the English
department.
different
The word different is often redundant, as in several
different options or many different participants. Since
you can't have several of the same option or many of the
same participant, several options and many
participants will do nicely.
districts
Lowercase in sports stories.
dollardollars
Beware of the use of a dollar sign and the word dollars
with the same amount, as in $100 dollars.
editor
Capitalize as an official title but not as a job description.
North Pointe Editor Sammy Scoggin, said editor Rachel
Premack.
editorinchief
The North Pointe usually calls the top editor just editor.
effect
See AFFECT.
ellipse
Three periods with a space before and after shows that
words have been omitted from a quotation. Seldom
needed at the beginning or end of a sentence.
email
One word. Theres a difference however between email
and an email address. So, when someone asks, Can I
have your email, tell them no, but you can have my e
mail address.
falsetitles
Never capitalize false titles which describe a persons
occupation or skill without reflecting on their authority:
politician, teacher, soprano soloist, pitcher, guard.
freshman,freshmen
Do not pluralize freshman as an adjective. Its freshman
girls, not freshmen girls, just as its sophomore boys, not
sophomores boys. Use freshmen as a plural noun: The
freshmen elected a new president.
Formoreinformation,call5551234.
Dont make the sentence complicated. Be concise.
fundraiser
One word.
girlfriend
One word.
girls
Use boys and girls to designate teams. Do not use an
apostrophe: the team does not belong to the boys or to
the girls, but to the school. In most cases, boys or girls is
used as part of a noun phrase: The girls varsity soccer
team beat South High School. The boys cross country team
placed fifth in state competition.
GPA
Acceptable in all references for gradepoint average.
grades
Use Aminus, Cplus, etc. (not A, C+) when mentioning
letter grades in text. In headlines its ok to abbreviate.
Use an apostrophe with plurals of single letters,
otherwise As will look like the word As.
GrossePointePublicSchoolSystem
Can you think of any reason you would need to write the
full name? Neither can I. Use the district or the school
system.
headlines
Write in present tense.
his/her
Rewrite sentences into the plural form
Homecoming
Capitalize as a proper noun. Are you going to
Homecoming? Lowercase as an adjective. I have to find
the perfect homecoming dress.
IN
IDENTIFICATION:Fullyidentifyallsources
On first reference, identify a person by title, class or
position: Principal Tim Bearden, history teacher Patrick
Hicks, sophomore Maria Liddane.
N o r t h P o i n t e S t a f f H a n d b o o k | 21
Internet
MP3
NorthHighSchool
Why are you putting the name of the school into your
story or headline? Readers know where they are. You
wouldnt write United States President Barack Obama,
would you? If you must use something for clarity, just
use North, not North High School.
NUMBERS:Spelloutsingledigitnumbers
Spell out singledigit numbers, including fractions. The
exceptions to this rule are:
Cents: 5 cents.
juniorvarsity
Percentages: 5%
lifeskills
kids
Use students instead.
lady
One word
limousine
Not limo.
magazinenames
See COMPOSITION TITLES.
masthead
The box in the newspaper, usually found on the editorial
(ideas) page, that lists the editors. The flag or nameplate
is the strip with the logo on the top of page one.
MomandDad
Capitalize such terms when theyre used as substituted
names: Mom and Dad wouldnt let me stay up late.
Lowercase other usages: Jennas mom and Jeremys dad
took us all to the movies.
Temperatures: 3 degrees
months
See ABBREVIATIONS.
OR
money
Use figures for money. $7. Avoid unnecessary zeros.
$7.00. Watch for the redundant $7 dollars. Spell out
cents, as in 50 cents.
online
movietitles
OK
Not okay.
22 | N o r t h P o i n t e S t a f f H a n d b o o k
pagenumbers
PowerPoint
Use figures and capitalize the word page when its used
with a number: Page 5.
parentheses
Use parentheses to show words inserted into a quote.
However, usually, its better to rewrite the direct quote
into an indirect one to avoid awkwardness.
percent
PUNCTUATION:Choosewhatsoundsbestoutloud
QUOTATIONS:Getitexactlyright,ordontquoteit.
periods
Prom
physicaleducation
Do not abbreviate.
p.m.
Lowercase with periods between letters.
QUOTATIONS:Punctuationstyle.
Use one of the following styles.
N o r t h P o i n t e S t a f f H a n d b o o k | 23
QUOTATIONMARKS
reviews
The review should be in present tense if it's an album or
movie, for example, because those still exist even after
the review is published: Guitarist Bill Smith is at his best
... The review should be in past tense if its a concert or
something that no longer exists once the review is
printed: R.E.M. did not sound up to par at this show.
roomnumbers
Use a capital letter and a dash. Capitalize the word room
when used with a number: Room B127.
said
SchoolBoard
schoolnames:
Morequotetips
Quote goes before attribution, unless different
person has just been quoted.
24 | N o r t h P o i n t e S t a f f H a n d b o o k
seasons
Lowercase: winter, spring, summer and fall.
singlequotes
In American English, single quotation marks have only
two roles: One, theyre used when a quotation occurs
within another quotation; two, theyre used in
newspapers, as a matter of typographical style, in
headlines and other headings. Some writers seem to
think minor quoted matter, such as nicknames, is not
worthy of a full quote and thus gets single quotes, but
they are mistaken.
sportsterms
See the AP STYLEBOOK for sports term style.
states
Lowercase in sports stories.
statenames
See ABBREVIATIONS.
TZ
teachers,faculty,staff
Teachers are part of the faculty, which includes
administrators and counselors. Staff includes everyone
who is paid to work at North.
teamnames
Do not capitalize team designations: The varsity team,
basketball team, soccer team.
Tshirt
Capital t.
time
Use periods with a.m. and p.m. Avoid unnecessary zeros,
such as 3:00 p.m.
tuxedo
Not tux.
UnitedStates
The abbreviation U.S. is acceptable in all uses.
URLs
Web sites have names. Use it. Its usually listed in the
blue bar at the top of the navigator window. Omit the
http://.
Incorrect: Go to http://www.freep.com/.
TITLES(ofpeople):Telluswhothesepeopleare
Valhalla
Since references are generally made to the book rather
than the organization, use italics: Valhalla.
videogame
voicemail
Two words.
website
One word. The Web is a proper noun and is capitalized.
will
Put away the crystal ball and stop calling Miss Cleo on
the North Pointe phone. Write what you know.
N o r t h P o i n t e S t a f f H a n d b o o k | 25
NORTHPOINTEMINISTYLEGUIDE
ABBREVIATIONS:Avoidabbreviations.
o Use:AP,ACT,SAT
o Dontuse:PE,GPN,GPPS,SA
o Whenyouplantouseanabbreviationlaterin
thestory,donotfollowthenameofgroup
withtheabbreviationinparentheses.
o days:Donotabbreviate.
o months:Abbreviatewithsixormorelettersif
theyareusedwithaspecificdates.Spellout
thosewithfiveorfewerletters.Aug.13,June
6.Alwaysspelloutamonthwhenitisused
withoutaspecificdate.Theseasonstartsin
September.
o organizationnames:Avoidabbreviationsor
acronymsunlessthegroupiswidelyknown.
ACT,SADD.Forlesserknowngroups,spellit
out.Thenuseatermlikethegroup.
CAPITALIZATIONANDTITLES:Avoid
capitalizationunlesstheresareason.
o titlesofpeople:Capitalizeonewordformal
titlesbeforeaname.
Forlongertitles,lowercasethemandset
themoffwithcommasafteraname.Byrne,
StudentAssociationadviser,said,The
dancewillbeFriday.
Exception:CapitalizeAssistantPrincipal
whenusedbeforeaname.
o Donotcapitalize:
namesofclasses:freshmanclass(butdo
capitalizeClassof2012)
namesofschoolsubjectsunlessitisthe
officialcoursetitleorthenameofalan
guage.Examples:math,AlgebraI,science,
FilmLiterature.
varsity,footballteam,varsitysoccerteam
districtorregionalwhenreferringtosports
a.m.andp.m.
titlesthatareonlyjobdescriptions:teacher,
coach,student,chair
socialstudiesteacherPatrickHicks
sophomoreCarolineSchulte
EmmaHuellmantel,seniorgoalie
INTERNETISSUES
o Internet,website,online,email,login
o HowdoyouinstructsomeonetogotoaWeb
site?Gotoworksjustfine.Visitandcheck
outalsopresentnodifficulty.
o URLs:Usethenameofthesiteinthetext.Put
theURLinparenthesesifneededtoimprove
theflowofasentence.Dontusethehttp://.
Formoreinformation,gototheAmerican
CancerSocietywebsite(www.cancer.org).
NUMBERS:Spelloutsingledigitnumbersand
usefiguresforlargernumbers.
o Theywillplaysixgamesinthenext21days.
o Donotuseunnecessaryzeros:10cents,not
$.10.10a.m.,not10:00a.m.
o Usefiguresforhoursofday,ages,sumsof
money,streetnumbers,percents,dates,votes
andscores.
o Neverused,rd,st,ndwithdates.
o Pluralnumbersdonotgetanapostrophe.The
1960swereatroubledtime.
o Singlelettersdogetanapostrophe.
IhopeIgetallAsonmyreportcard.
o Numberexceptions:
Spelloutthenumberwhenitbeginsa
sentence.Exceptiontotheexception:Use
digitsforyears.
Fiftytwoseniorswerechosenforthe
award.1776wasamemorableyear.
Alwaysusedigitsfor:
Addresses.5MapleSt.
Ages.Heis2yearsold.
Dollars.Pizzais$1,pop50cents.
Dates.Feb.14
Percentages.Iscoredan8%.
Times.Schoolstartsat8a.m.
OBJECTIVEWRITING:Usethirdpersonvoice.
o Donotusethefirstorsecondperson
pronouns,exceptinaquote.I,Ill,me,my,you,
your,youre,us,we,were,ours,our.
Eveninacolumn/review,thesewordsare
seldomneeded.Askforhelpinrewording.
o Definitions
Story:Objectivelywritteninthirdperson.
Viewpoint/column:Theauthorsopinion,
usuallywritteninthirdperson.
Editorial:Theofficialpositionoftheeditors.
Almostalwayswritteninthirdpersonvoice.
QUOTATIONS:Simpleformat,mustbeused
o Almostalwaysusesaid.
o Usuallyputthenamefirstusingactivevoice
(writeinsubject,verb,object).Cusmanosaid,
notsaidCusmano.(Startwiththehorse.)
Poor:thegamewinningbasketwasscored
byMariaLiddane.
Better:MariaLiddanescoredthegame
winningbasket.
o Aquoteisusuallyanewparagraph.
o Useoneofthefollowingstylesfordirect
quotes.Notethecommasettingoffthequote
andthecapitalletteratthebeginningofthe
quote.Endingpunctuationgoesinsidethe
quotationmark.
ScienceteacherGaryAbudsaid,Students
shouldalwaysdotheirhomework.
Ilovecaterpillars,butnotbutterflies,
seniorTiaTsakossaid.
o Placetheattributionattheendofshortquotes
orinthemiddleoftwoormoresentences.
Therearemanywaystoconnecttwo
quotes,Scogginsaid.Oneofthebestisto
puttheattributioninthemiddle.
o Indirectquotesareacceptablewhenyouknow
whatthepersonsaid,buttheexactwordsare
notavailable.Noticetherearenoquotation
marks.
SeniorDannySchragesaidhehasmad
basketballskills.
o Donotalteraquotetocleanupsloppy
speakingornotetaking.Ifyoudonthavea
cleanquote,youcanuseanindirectquoteor
reaskthequestion.
o Placeendofsentencepunctuationmarks
withinthequotationmarkswhentheyapply
onlytothequotedmatter.Placethemoutside
whentheydonot.
Mikeasked,Whatisforlunch?
Whatisthemeaningoftheterm
circumference?
10/29/2015
COMMONSTYLEISSUES
o addresses:Abbreviateonlywithacomplete
address.Dontabbreviatethewordroad.707
VernierRoad,MackAvenue,123MackAve.
o adviser:notadvisor
o AssistantPrincipal:capitalize.Notvice.
o boysandgirls:Useboysandgirlstodesignate
teams.Donotuseanapostrophe:Theteam
doesnotbelongtotheboysortothegirls,but
totheschool.Inmostcases,boysorgirlsis
usedaspartofanounphrase:Thegirlsvarsity
soccerteambeatSouthHighSchool.Theboys
crosscountryteamplacedfifthinstate
competition.NeveruseLadyNorsemen.
o calendaritems:Inannouncingevents,identify
theeventandthenthedetailsinthisorder:
place,day,date,time,andcost.
StudentAssociationdance,inthegym,
Friday,Oct.13,7p.m.,tickets$7
o chair:Lowercasefortheheadofdepartments.
o cheerleading:Oneword.
o comma:Generally,moststudentsshoulduse
morecommasintheirwritingtoaddclarity.
Optionalcommasarenotusedinjournalism.
Ihavered,greenandbluecrayons.
o compoundmodifiers:Whentwoormore
adjectivesexpressasingleconcept,use
hyphenstolinkallthewordsinthecompound.
Fouryearcontract,12memberteam,15year
oldgirl,wellrespecteddeputyeditor
o ellipse:Dontoveruse.Threedotsproceeded
andfollowedbyaspaceshowswordshave
beenomitted.Forapause,useadashnotan
ellipse.
Neverstartorendaquotewithanellipse.
o grades:useinformaltitles:senior,freshman
o names:Onfirstreference,useafullnameand
title.Onsecondreference,onlythelastname.
o Pages:Usefiguresandcapitalizetheword
pagewhenitsusedwithanumber:Page5.
o parentheses:Useparentheseswhen
informationisaddedtoadirectquotefor
clarification(notbrackets).
o percent:%isacceptableinalluses.
o profanity:Donotuseitinthisclass.
o rooms:Capitalizewithanumber.Themeeting
isinthebandroom.ThemeetingisinRoomB
121.
o SchoolBoard:Useandcapitalizewhen
referringtotheGrossePointeBoardof
Education.GrossePointeisusuallynotneeded.
o schoolnames:Spellout.SouthHighSchool,
notSouth,UniversityofMichigan,notUofM.
North:JustNorth.However,usuallyitsnot
necessarytowriteNorthinastory.Its
impliedthatallNorthPointestoriesare
aboutNorthunlessthestorysaysotherwise.
o sportsscores:Alwaysusefigures.Placea
hyphenandnospacesbetweenscores.
o subjects:Lowercase,exceptlanguages.science
teacher,Englishdepartment.
o time:periodsandlowercasewitha.m./p.m.
o titlesofcompositions:Useitalicsforthetitles
ofbooks,music,moviesandmostothertitles.