Style Guide for the Culpeper Star-Exponent

By Wendy Jennings, Emma Franklin, Shaelyn Topolovec, and Kaylee James

Updated: April 16, 2020
https://starexponent.com

The Culpeper Star-Exponent (CSE) is the local newspaper of Culpeper, a rural county in central
Virginia. With about 6,000 print and web subscriptions, this paper is committed to unbiased,
honest coverage of news. Content is primarily local, with some state, national, and international
coverage as it pertains to the readership. Culpeper is largely conservative, but with the growth of
the newspaper’s website, the circulation has broadened to younger and more liberal consumers as
well. As the paper strives to represent balanced perspectives, there is great need to stress the use
of unbiased, impartial, and inclusive language. There is little need for global English because the
readership is local and almost entirely composed of native English speakers. Global English
should still be taken into account, however, because some articles are occasionally picked up and
circulated in national newspapers to a broader audience.

This in-house style guide will follow the principles given in the Associated Press (AP)
Stylebook; it is not meant to be comprehensive but to increase Culpeper Star-Exponent’s
efficiency and consistency. It will be a record of the stylistic decisions made by the organization
and it will standardize any usage of global English based on John R. Kohl’s The Global English
Style Guide: Writing Clear, Translatable Documentation for a Global Market (2008, SAS Press:
Cary, North Carolina, ISBN 978-1-59994-657-3). This guide will display the company's choices
when they depart from AP style or address situations not specified in AP style. The goal is to
establish preference for certain AP alternatives and to reinforce AP principles that writers or
editors have repeatedly violated. This style guide will not restate AP guidelines in their entirety
but will reinforce Culpeper Star-Exponent’s personal, unique style for easy reference and
assimilation.
Contents
1 Abbreviations ........................................................................................................................................... 4
1.1 Numbered Addresses .......................................................................................................................... 4
1.2 Street Names ....................................................................................................................................... 4
1.3 United States ....................................................................................................................................... 4
2 Formatting ................................................................................................................................................ 4
2.1 Bylines ................................................................................................................................................ 4
2.2 Headlines............................................................................................................................................. 4
2.3 Photo Captions .................................................................................................................................... 5
3 Grammar/Usage ....................................................................................................................................... 5
3.1 Afterward, Backward, Toward............................................................................................................ 5
3.2 Annual ................................................................................................................................................. 5
3.3 Around/About ..................................................................................................................................... 5
3.4 Around/Across .................................................................................................................................... 6
3.5 Idiomatic Phrasal Verbs ...................................................................................................................... 6
3.6 Idioms ................................................................................................................................................. 6
3.7 Jargon .................................................................................................................................................. 6
3.8 Only, Not............................................................................................................................................. 6
3.9 Passive Voice ...................................................................................................................................... 7
3.10 Phrasal Verbs .................................................................................................................................... 7
3.11 They/It ............................................................................................................................................... 7
3.12 This, That, These, Those ................................................................................................................... 7
3.13 Which ................................................................................................................................................ 7
4 Historical/Local Information .................................................................................................................. 8
4.1 Civil War Battles, Encampments ........................................................................................................ 8
4.2 Culpeper .............................................................................................................................................. 8
4.3 Culpeper Cemeteries ........................................................................................................................... 8
5 Names/Terms ............................................................................................................................................ 8
5.1 Culpeper Star-Exponent ...................................................................................................................... 8
6 Numbers .................................................................................................................................................... 8
6.1 Ages .................................................................................................................................................... 8
6.2 Days of the Week ................................................................................................................................ 9
 6.3 General Measurements........................................................................................................................ 9
6.4 Percentages ......................................................................................................................................... 9
6.5 Seasons/Months with Year ................................................................................................................. 9
6.6 Time and Distance .............................................................................................................................. 9
7 Punctuation............................................................................................................................................. 10
7.1 Dashes ............................................................................................................................................... 10
7.2 Quotation Marks as Measurement .................................................................................................... 10
8 Capitalization ......................................................................................................................................... 10
8.1 French Fries ...................................................................................................................................... 10
8.2 General Capitalization ...................................................................................................................... 10
 Style Guide: Culpeper Star-Exponent 4

1 Abbreviations
1.1 Numbered Addresses
Abbreviate Street (St.), Boulevard (Blvd.), and Avenue (Ave.) with a numbered address; don’t
abbreviate similar words (alley, road, drive, etc.). See AP: addresses.
The business is centered at 1201 Baker St. and is opening next week.
BUT
The business is centered at 222 Richmond Road and is opening next
week.
1.2 Street Names
Capitalize and spell out Street, Boulevard, Avenue, Road, etc. when used without an address
number. See AP: addresses.
They met on Baker Street instead of at the company headquarters.
NOT
They met on Baker St. instead of at the company headquarters.
1.3 United States
Use periods in the abbreviation (U.S.) when used in the text; leave out periods in the
abbreviation (US) when used in headlines. See AP: United States.
A cruel paradox: Beating virus means causing US recession
NOT
A cruel paradox: Beating virus means causing U.S. recession

2 Formatting
2.1 Bylines
Bylines consist of the word by, the author’s name and the newspaper the author works for. Full
bylines should be all caps; by and the author’s name should be bolded.
BY EMILY JENNINGS CULPEPER STAR-EXPONENT
NOT
By EMILY JENNINGS Culpeper Star-Exponent
2.2 Headlines
Write headlines in active voice. A headline should be specific about the topic and tease the story
without giving away too much information. When a quote is in a headline, use single quotes
only. If a headline has a deckhead, the deckhead should draw in readers by teasing information.
 Style Guide: Culpeper Star-Exponent 5

During quarantine, iPhone Screen Time reports are through the roof, and
people are 'horrified'
NOT
During quarantine, iPhone Screen Time reports are through the roof, and
people are “horrified”
2.3 Photo Captions
Photo captions should contain information that is not observable in the picture. The photo
caption should provide another entry point into the story with information from the article. Left,
right, center, etc. are sometimes unnecessary words. Generally, photo captions should not be
more than 4 lines. The caption for a stand-alone photo should not be bolded.
The two tech companies agreed on a new business venture on Saturday
afternoon.
NOT
The two leaders shake hands.

3 Grammar/Usage
3.1 Afterward, Backward, Toward
Afterwards, backwards, towards, etc. are nonstandard variants. The standard form is always
preferred. See AP: afterward; backward; toward. See Kohl 9.7.
The truck hurled backward down the hill.
NOT
The truck hurled backwards down the hill.
3.2 Annual
Never refer to an event as annual until the event has already been held for at least two
consecutive years. You can say it was the third annual gathering, but not the first or second
annual anything. It has to be established that an event is going to sustain itself on an annual basis.
The organization has been meeting for the last five years to agree on new
systems. Leaders have found the annual meeting to be helpful.
NOT
The organization met for the first time last month to establish a new
system. Leaders hope that this annual meeting will be helpful.
3.3 Around/About
Use about instead of around for approximate times and other similar uses.
 Style Guide: Culpeper Star-Exponent 6

The committee met at about 6 p.m.

NOT
The committee met at around 6 p.m.
3.4 Around/Across
Use around in phrases like around the world, but across for phrases like across the nation.
Panic is spreading around the world.
NOT
Panic is spreading across the world.
3.5 Idiomatic Phrasal Verbs
Idiomatic phrasal verbs such as put up with or stand for can be difficult for non-native English
speakers to understand. To support a broader readership, avoid idiomatic phrasal verbs that are
less common and use an alternative one-word substitute. See Kohl 9.19.
The final decision was determined by the board.
NOT
The final decision was left up to the board.
3.6 Idioms
Non-native speakers cannot be expected to be familiar with all English idioms. To broaden
readership, avoid using idioms. See Kohl 9.18.
The hectic confusion of these meetings is generally expected.
NOT
The hectic confusion of these meetings is par for the course.
3.7 Jargon
Avoid terms and phrases that are not widely understood by a general audience. See AP: jargon.
See Kohl 9.3.
He had served on temporary duty before being permanently assigned to a
squadron.
NOT
He had served on TD before being permanently assigned to a SQDN.
3.8 Only, Not
Place only and not immediately in front of what they are modifying to prevent misreading. See
Kohl 4.1.
 Style Guide: Culpeper Star-Exponent 7

Jason makes sure to restrict the time that he spends on his job at home.
He works only during the morning.
BUT
Jason makes sure there are no other distractions when he is doing his
job. He only works during the morning.
3.9 Passive Voice
To promote concision and readability, avoid using passive voice. Using active voice also
streamlines the translation process and benefits a more global readership. See Kohl 3.6.
Election officials raised questions about the safety of the upcoming
elections.
NOT
Questions were raised about the safety of the upcoming elections.
3.10 Phrasal Verbs
When possible, parts of phrasal verbs should be kept together. This helps avoid causing
confusion for non-native speakers. See Kohl 3.4.
The community fears that officials will shut down the event.
NOT
The community fears that officials will shut the event down.
3.11 They/It
Use they if you are talking about people and members of groups. Use it for teams, organizations,
boards, councils, groups or bodies.
The council made its decision.
BUT
The members of the council made their decision.
3.12 This, That, These, Those
Do not use this, that, these or those as pronouns. See Kohl 5.2.
This response was unacceptable.
NOT
This was unacceptable.
3.13 Which
Do not use which to refer to an entire clause. See Kohl 5.3.
 Style Guide: Culpeper Star-Exponent 8

The community members joined together to help the family. Their service
was very heartwarming.
NOT
The community members joined together to help the family, which was
very heartwarming.

4 Historical/Local Information
4.1 Civil War Battles, Encampments
● Clark’s Mountain
● Brandy Station (largest cavalry battle of the Civil War)
● Cedar Mountain
● Culpeper Courthouse
● Morton’s Ford

4.2 Culpeper
Culpeper was formed in 1748. The settlement was originally named Fairfax and was later
changed to Culpeper in honor of Lord Thomas Colepeper, second Baron of Thoresway and
colonial governor of Virginia from 1677 to 1683. George Washington surveyed Culpeper when
he was 17; this survey was his first and totaled at about 400 acres.

4.3 Culpeper Cemeteries

● Culpeper National Cemetery (started by the federal government after the Civil War to
bury Union soldiers who died in the region)
● Fairview Cemetery
● Culpeper Masonic Cemetery

5 Names/Terms
5.1 Culpeper Star-Exponent
Do not use the before Culpeper Star-Exponent when writing the newspaper’s name in the
headline, deckhead or byline, and always use a hyphen between Star and Exponent.
BY CLINT SCHEMMER CULPEPER STAR-EXPONENT
NOT
BY CLINT SCHEMMER THE CULPEPER STAR EXPONENT

6 Numbers
6.1 Ages
Use numerals for ages. When an age is used as a noun or as an adjective preceding a noun, use
hyphens. See AP: ages.
 Style Guide: Culpeper Star-Exponent 9

The girl was 2 years old.

BUT
The girl was a 2-year-old.
6.2 Days of the Week
When referring to the upcoming 7 days, you do not need to specify the date, only the day of the
week.
On Thursday, a carnival is coming to town.
NOT
Next week, on Thursday the 8th, a carnival is coming to town.
6.3 General Measurements
For general measurements other than time and distance, use decimals instead of fractions.
The reinforced steel container holds 2.5 liters.
NOT
The reinforced steel container holds 2 ½ liters.
6.4 Percentages
Contrary to what is outlined in the AP stylebook, write out percent in every use rather than using
the symbol (%). See AP: percent, percentage, percentage points.
And, about 80 percent to 85 percent of those who get the illness won’t
require hospital care.
NOT
And, about 80% to 85% of those who get the illness won’t require
hospital care.
6.5 Seasons/Months with Year
When writing about seasons or months within the coming year, you do not need to specify the
year, only the season or month.
April will be an eventful time for educators everywhere.
NOT
April 2020 will be an eventful time for educators everywhere.
6.6 Time and Distance
When referring to time and distance, use fractions instead of decimal points.
 Style Guide: Culpeper Star-Exponent 10

The event lasted a total of 2 ½ hours.

NOT
The event lasted a total of 2.5 hours.

7 Punctuation
7.1 Dashes
Dashes must be formatted in TCMS, with no spaces on either side. Use dashes sparingly.
The event, which had faced much opposition, was nevertheless held on
Saturday.
NOT
The event—which had faced much opposition—was nevertheless held on
Saturday.
7.2 Quotation Marks as Measurement
Do not use quotation marks to represent inches or feet. Instead, spell out the measurements.
Readers from countries that use the metric system may not understand the use of quotation
marks. See Kohl 8.9.1.
Standing at an incredible height of 7 feet 2 inches, he says he was made
to play basketball.
NOT
Standing at an incredible height of 7’2”, he says he was made to play
basketball.

8 Capitalization
8.1 French Fries
Do not capitalize french in french fries. See AP: french fries.
The Fire Department will cook up its world-famous corn dogs and french
fries, and the auxiliary will also offer numerous food choices.
NOT
The Fire Department will cook up its world-famous corn dogs and French
fries, and the auxiliary will also offer numerous food choices.
8.2 General Capitalization
Generally, capitalization should be limited to proper nouns, names and titles. See AP:
capitalization.
The Culpeper Fire Department Bingo Night will be held Friday night.
BUT
They all enjoy volunteer fire department bingo on Friday nights.