WR427/527 STYLE GUIDE

Technical Editing - PSU

Spring 2020

Last Updated: 05.25.2020

INTRODUCTION 2
What Is a Style Guide? 2
Why Is a Style Guide Important? 2
What Is the Purpose of Creating a Style Guide for Our Class? 2
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INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE 2
Overarching “key” points (from Introduction to Minimalism): 2
Organization for Performance: Task-Based Order (from Introduction to Minimalism): 3
THE BROAD STROKES OF “MINIMALISM” 3
What Is Minimalism? - From Wikipedia: 3
Applying Minimalism: Choose an Action-Oriented Approach 4
Give users a chance to be successful 4
Respect the user’s activity 4
TOP 13 STYLISTIC RULES 5
Numerals vs. words 5
Use the active voice 5
Use the imperative mood in procedures 6
Use the subjunctive mood for hypothetical information 6
Use positive phrasing 7
Use parallel constructions 7
Use present tense instead of past or future tense 8
Use plurals to avoid awkward pronouns 8
Use "previous," "preceding," or "earlier" instead of "above" or "below" 9
Use "setup," "set up," "log in," "login" 9
Use hyphens correctly (to join compound modifiers) 10
Use Bold Text for Names of Fields, Buttons, etc., Indicating Action on the User’s Part 10
Use dashes correctly (en dashes and em dashes) 11
WRITING INSTRUCTIONS (Task-Based Authoring) 13
General guidelines for tasks 13
WRITING CONCEPTUAL INFORMATION 13
General guidelines for concepts 14
WRITING REFERENCE MATERIAL 14
DESCRIBING INTERACTIONS WITH USER INTERFACES 14
UI Text 15
UI Elements - Windows, Screens, Tabs, Panes, Pages 15
MOBILE-SPECIFIC UI NAVIGATION 18
ADDITIONAL STYLISTIC CONVENTIONS 19
Acronyms 19
Capitalization 20
Cross-References 21
Note Types 21

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 Numbers and Ranges 22
Trademarks 22
FREQUENTLY MISUSED / MISSPELLED WORDS 23

INTRODUCTION
The following section provides us with details on what a style guide is, exactly, why it’s important, and
what the purpose is for creating one for our class.

What Is a Style Guide?

A set of standards used by a particular group outlining all aspects of document creation, style, usage,
and formatting.

Why Is a Style Guide Important?

A style guide ensures consistency and cohesion. It provides an efficient way for the writer to locate
specific styling information in a single location.

What Is the Purpose of Creating a Style Guide for Our Class?

For the benefit of our readers/users, we want to ensure that we speak in a consistent manner—with
uniform diction, parallel phrasing, and an all-around technical-documentation architecture—so that our
technical documentation is uniform, comprehensive, scalable, and future-proof.

This guide provides "best practices" instructions for our technical documentation writing and editing
standards.

INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE

Overarching “key” points (from Introduction to Minimalism):

▪ Organization is the architecture of information.

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 ▪ Organization that matches the inherent structure of the content helps a user recognize patterns
to make sense of the information. These include chronological, spatial, comparison-contrast,
cause-effect, and topical patterns.
▪ Grouping related ideas helps readers comprehend.
▪ Documents may also be structured for reuse or may be structured according to organizational
templates.
o Note: DITA is particularly helpful for documentation reuse.

Organization for Performance: Task-Based Order (from Introduction to

Minimalism):
▪ To avoid problems, organize according to the tasks the users need to perform.
▪ The editor’s role in organizing according to task should take place in the planning stage.
▪ Identify the task that users need to do.
o Note: Use human-centered design (HCD) principles; know your audience.
▪ On all documentation, an editor provides the initial usability test.
▪ Use special structures that allow a user to opt-in or opt-out of content.
▪ Use ‘related topics’ links to help users both locate relevant information.

Consider the most important components when writing or creating technical documentation:
● Who is the audience?
● What is the purpose of the document?

THE BROAD STROKES OF “MINIMALISM”

What Is Minimalism? - From Wikipedia:

“Minimalism in structured writing, topic-based authoring . . . [it] strives to reduce interference of
information delivery with the user's sense-making process.. . . modern users are often already familiar
with much of what a typical long manual describes. What they need is information to solve a task at
hand . . . documentation should encourage them to do this with a minimum of systematic instruction.”
Minimalism (Technical Communication) - Wikipedia

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 Applying Minimalism: Choose an Action-Oriented Approach
Avoid marketing “marcom”-speak (which emphasizes benefits over features)
● They have the product - they don’t need to be sold on it
Eliminate distracting, cumbersome introductory material:
● About this book, guide, document, etc.
Emphasize tasks over concepts
● Users avoid long conceptual information
○ Embed necessary small concepts at the beginning of tasks to provide context
○ Refer to larger concepts elsewhere in the documentation
○ Eliminate concepts that are not essential to the task or goal

Describe your product in the context of using it

● Remove sections dedicated to:
○ Long product descriptions
○ Pictures and descriptions of every button in the interface
○ Definitions of terms and acronyms

For example:

Before After Notes

1. DISPLAY WINDOW. Custom English 1. Enter your user code. With Minimalism
Display Touchpads: 2-line, 32-character applied, the
Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) touchpads function is action-
that display protection point oriented and includes
identification, system status, and only the necessary
messages. English Display Touchpads: information.
Display protection zone ID and system
status messages using pre-designated
words in the LCD display.

Give users a chance to be successful

● Let them jump into a task
● Start with basic actions and short procedures to help users feel good about their chance of
success
● Provide real-world tutorials

Respect the user’s activity

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 ● Link tasks to the user’s workflow
● Provide a clear starting point for all process flows
● Keep procedures short and focused
● Use headings that reflect the user’s goals
● Assume the reader is qualified to perform a task

TOP 14 STYLISTIC RULES

In terms of phrasing, please keep the following 13 stylistic rules in mind when authoring content for
our class.

Numerals vs. words

Use numerals for 10 and greater in body text. Spell out zero through nine if the number does not
precede a unit of measure or is not used as input. For 10 and above, use digits for numbers within
sentences unless the number begins the sentence.

USE INSTEAD OF EXAMPLES NOTES/EXCEPTIONS

In body text, use

numerals for 10 and
"3 centimeters" greater. Spell out zero
through nine if the
"Type 5 and then click
number does not
“The light bulb store is OK.
precede a unit of
open seven days a “The light bulb store is "1-byte error value" measure or is not used
open 7 days a week.”
week.” "24 hours a day" as input. For 10 and
above, use digits for
"seven days a week"
numbers within
"two years" sentences unless the
number begins the
sentence.

Use the active voice

Use the active voice to emphasize the action and establish responsibility.

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 INSTEAD OF (passive
USE (active voice) EXAMPLES NOTES/EXCEPTIONS
voice)

Use passive voice when

the agent is irrelevant,
“Turn off the power” unnecessary, or
“Use a ladder when “A ladder is needed to understood; when
“Steve ran to the store”
changing a light bulb.” change a light bulb.” readers expect passive
“Remove the old bulb” voice; when cohesion
and focus are
paramount.

Use the imperative mood in procedures

Use the imperative mood for commands or directions.

USE INSTEAD OF EXAMPLES NOTES/EXCEPTIONS

The imperative mood

Imperative mood: forms a command or
“Turn the light bulb request, which directs
clockwise to tighten.” the user what to do.
Indicative mood: “The The imperative mood
Indicative mood light bulb is tightened should always be used
Imperative mood
Subjunctive mood by turning it clockwise.” when directing the
Subjunctive mood: “It user. If written in
is necessary to turn the another mood, the
light bulb clockwise to directions become
tighten. unclear or difficult to
follow.

Use the subjunctive mood for hypothetical information

For hypothetical situations, use the subjunctive mood rather than the imperative.

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 USE INSTEAD OF EXAMPLES NOTES/EXCEPTIONS

The subjunctive is used

Subjunctive: “If the when expressing states
light bulb burns out, of unreality, such as
“It is recommended you can receive a free wishes, possibilities,
that you save the “Save the extra bulbs replacement under and suggestions.
extra bulbs for future for future use.” warranty.”
use.” Imperative: “Receive a The imperative should
free replacement under be used strictly for
warranty.” instructions and
procedures.

Use positive phrasing

Use positive phrasing to convey information in a straightforward, clear, and direct manner. Positive
phrasing tells the reader what something is, instead of telling them what something is not.

USE INSTEAD OF EXAMPLES NOTES/EXCEPTIONS

Negative words include:

Positive: “Light bulbs no, not, never, nobody,
are made of glass and and no one.
“This is an indoor light “This is not an outdoor metal.”
bulb.” light bulb.” Negative phrasing can
Negative: “Light bulbs be useful for warnings
are not made of wood.” and precautions (e.g.,
“Not dishwasher-safe”)

Use parallel constructions

Use parallel constructions to create balance within paragraphs and sentences by using similar patterns
of ideas and words. For sentences with multiple clauses, use the same grammatical structure for each
clause. For documents with multiple sections, use the same structure for each section. Parallel
constructions increase the readability of a document and make it easier for readers to understand.

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 USE INSTEAD OF EXAMPLES NOTES/EXCEPTIONS

Parallel: “There are

light bulbs for home,
automotive, and
industrial use.”
Parallel Syntax Non-Parallel Syntax Non-parallel: “There
are light bulbs for the
home, to use in your
car, and some for
industries.”

Use present tense instead of past or future tense

Use present tense to describe what is currently happening or occuring instead of past or future tense.
Present tense is more simple and direct to help readers to understand the content than past or future
tense. In the body text and headings use present tense instead of past or future tense. Present tense
refers to a current state to maintain consistency of time frame within the document. Past or future
tense refer to an action or state that has already happened or will happen later.

USE INSTEAD OF EXAMPLES NOTES/EXCEPTIONS

Past: “I attended
Past Tense school.”
Present Tense
Future Tense Future: “I will attend
“I attend school.”
school.”

Use plurals to avoid awkward pronouns

Use plural pronouns like “they” instead of phrases like “his or hers”.

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 USE INSTEAD OF EXAMPLES NOTES/EXCEPTIONS

The customer will enter It is acceptable to use

They his or her email to sign she, he or they
Or rewrite using His or her up. pronouns to refer to a
gender-neutral The customer will enter person who uses those
language (second their email to sign up. pronouns.
person “you”).

Use "previous," "preceding," or "earlier" instead of "above" or "below"

Above and below indicate specific locations. If information is added to or omitted from a document,
above and below may no longer be accurate indicators.

USE INSTEAD OF EXAMPLES NOTES/EXCEPTIONS

Only use “above” and

“In the previous “below” in text body to
example” indicate a necessary
Preceding “In the example above” location or direction the
“As discussed earlier” Below user must be aware of.

“As shown in Figure “As discussed above”

1.2” Ex. The “Reset” button
can be found below the
“Menu” option.

Use "setup," "set up," "log in," "login"

"Set up" and "log in" are verbs; "setup" and "login" are nouns.

USE INSTEAD OF EXAMPLES NOTES/EXCEPTIONS

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 Unbox all components
before you set up the
lighting system.
Set up: build, design,
Use set up when an make, create The setup time for the
action is taking place. smart light bulb
Setup: compose,
installation is five
Use setup when not arrange, prepare
minutes.
referring to an action. Log in: sign in, sign on,
After opening the smart
Use log in when an log into, log on, connect
light bulb app, log in.
action is taking place. Login: credentials,
If you need to reset
Use login when not username and
your login for the smart
referring to an action. password (if used
light bulb app, find the
together), portal
‘reset password’ button
at the bottom of the
login page.

Use hyphens correctly (to join compound modifiers)

Use hyphens to join compound modifiers (or phrasal adjectives) that precede the noun they modify.
When the modifier follows the noun, a hyphen is not necessary.

USE INSTEAD OF EXAMPLES NOTES/EXCEPTIONS

The light bulb was

energy efficient
Long-lasting bulb
The bulb was long
Energy-efficient light Energy efficient light Cost-saving lighting lasting
bulb bulb Do not hyphenate
adverbial compound
modifiers that end with
the suffix “-ly”.

Use Bold Text for Names of Fields, Buttons, etc., Indicating Action on the User’s Part

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Bold the names of panes, screens, tabs, windows pages - as well as the names of buttons, etc. - so that
they stand out from regular/body text, and indicate orientation/action for the user.

USE INSTEAD OF EXAMPLES NOTES/EXCEPTIONS

Click Save As
Save As “Save As”
Choose Undo from the
Undo Undo
Edit tab

Use dashes correctly (en dashes and em dashes)

Use em dashes to separate a phrase from the rest of the sentence; use en dashes to show a range in
numbers or to show a relationship (e.g., “the New York–London flight.”)

USE INSTEAD OF EXAMPLES NOTES/EXCEPTIONS

“Crack two eggs— Click the button—but In the case of an en

“Crack two eggs–fresh
fresh from the chicken dash, it’s acceptable to
from the chicken coop.” do not hold it.
coop.” use numerals instead of
OR 10–15 lbs.
OR words with numbers
Crack 1—2 eggs.” Pages 117–130 less than ten.
“Crack 1–2 eggs.”

Rules for Complementary Illustrations

Use complementary illustrations by introducing visuals in the body text and inserting captions under
images with appropriate page references.

USE INSTEAD OF EXAMPLES NOTES/EXCEPTIONS

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 An illustration referred
to in the body text is
inserted on the same
page as referenced with
a labeled caption. If an illustration is
Illustrations referenced in a text, it
Graphics MUST appear on the
Ex. “As shown in Figure
Captions & Page same page with an
1.2 below…”
References accompanying
Caption Ex. label/caption.
Figure 1.2 The
illustration depicts how
solar energy is
converted.

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 WRITING INSTRUCTIONS (Task-Based Authoring)
A task topic documents the result a user wants to achieve, instead of the product/feature they are
using.
Product capabilities should be presented in context of the task they support so that users can
understand how the capabilities relate to their performance.
For example: If there is a Properties function in your product, instead of creating a task topic for
“Specify Properties,” create a task topic for a specific property, “Determine Your Hard Drive
Space,” because this is an actual task that a user must perform.

General guidelines for tasks

● Set individual steps as separate, numbered entries for numbered steps; set steps that can be
performed in any order as unordered steps.
● Each step should address an action that the user takes or a series of actions meant to achieve
the same result.
Here are some single, unrelated steps, as examples:
○ "Right-click on the record and select Edit."
○ "Click OK. "
○ "Go to More > System Libraries > Causes."
● To describe a navigation in a path that consists of multiple selections, describe the fastpath
version of the steps.
For example: "You can delete one or more light bulbs from your queue by going to Projects >
Lightbulbs > Actions > Delete."
● In general, within a given step, tell the user where the action should take place before
describing the action to take. This matches the user’s thought processes.
Use: "On the Light Bulbs menu, click Options”
Instead of: "Click Options on the Tools menu."

WRITING CONCEPTUAL INFORMATION

A concept topic explains how something works, or defines/explains an idea.
Concept topics also often include background information that users might need to understand before
they start a task.
Tip: As most users read documentation to accomplish a task, write concept topics to enable
users to easily comprehend the conceptual information so that they can easily perform a task.

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 General guidelines for concepts
A concept topic is intended to capture content that tells you “what something is” or "how something
works." The information is typically presented as paragraphs that describe the background and context
of a single subject. Use a concept topic to describe the core knowledge that someone needs to
understand how a product works or how pieces relate.
Keep the following guidelines in mind when authoring concept topics:
● Describe one concept per topic
Tip: The advantage of separating your concepts is that users can find and read only what they
need, and we can more easily reuse those concept topics elsewhere in our documentation.
● Create a concept topic only if the idea can't be covered more concisely elsewhere
Tip: Create a concept topic to cover an idea that requires something more than a glossary
definition or a passing mention in a task topic.
● Separate task information from conceptual information
Tip: Write conceptual information as concept topics; task-oriented information as task topics.

WRITING REFERENCE MATERIAL

A reference topic provides additional reference information for users to refer to.
"A reference topic is a collection of facts. Those facts might be a list or description of parts, commands,
application programming interfaces (APIs), . . . or any other object that you can organize into a table or
list." -DITA Best Practices
Tip: Follow these guidelines when you write reference topics:
● Describe one type of reference material per topic.
● Organize reference information logically.
● Format reference information consistently." -DITA Best Practices

DESCRIBING INTERACTIONS WITH USER INTERFACES

As some of our light-bulb company’s help files / documentation is shared between desktop, web, and
mobile, we want to use input-neutral terms (eliminating, "click" unless it's necessary, etc.).

By adopting input-neutral terms, users can universally follow any given set of our instructions,
regardless of how they are accessing the help or what device they are using (e.g., they might be on a
mobile device where “swipe” and “tap” come into play).

Tip: Minimize directional terms (left, right, up, down) as the only clue to location. This is problematic

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because UI arrangement changes relatively frequently; orientation is different on mobile; etc. Instead:
focus on giving direction based on the UI's components, instead of where something is located.

UI Text
● Fastpath- Use to direct the user to their desired destination by calling out each breadcrumb on a
sitemap. It’s useful when the path through navigation is long or complicated somehow.

○ Press Ctrl+C to copy

○ To add a lightbulb to your cart, go to Store > Lightbulb > Actions > Add.

UI Elements - Windows, Screens, Tabs, Panes, Pages

● Pane - Use ‘pane’ to refer to a subsection of a window that allows users to scroll or make
selections.
○ Example: Click on inbox in the Navigation Pane.
● Screen - Use 'screen' to refer to something a user may see when interacting with their interface.
○ Example: On the dashboard screen, select your profile icon.
● Tab - Use 'tab' to refer to UI elements (tabs) that allow a user to switch between documents,
websites, or settings.
○ Example: Open a new browser tab.
● Window - Use window to open and view area on the computer screen that displays content
○ Example: YouTube video, Excel spreadsheet, photo
● Page - Use page to reference a single entity of content, from a website or program, that
contains specific information
○ Example: Opening pdx.edu displays Portland State University’s homepage

VERB USE FOR EXAMPLES NOTES / EXCEPTIONS

Choose

Do not use in place of

Clear Check box Clear selection
delete for text boxes

Selections on a desktop
Click Click the submit button. Instead, use verbs that
Selections made with a make sense on multiple

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 mouse platforms, like select

Close the Google

Programs and apps Hangouts app.
Dialog boxes Close Microsoft Word.
Files and folders Save and close the Excel
Notifications and alerts spreadsheet.
Close Close the chatbot
Tabs
window when it pops
What happens when a
up.
program encounters an
error and can’t keep Make sure to close all
going other open tabs before
you begin.

Use Drag when clicking

on a selected item,
holding that button on
the mouse, while
moving the item to a
Drag and drop the file different location in the
Windows in the recycling bin. UI.
Files Drag and place the Move should not
Drag
Folders window in the left describe the click, hold,
monitor of your dual and move action on the
monitor setup. mouse.
Scroll is designated for
changing the view to
different spaces within
a page, or to view
alternate pages.

User input that follows

In the Google search enter should be written
Type or insert a value in lowercase unless it is
bar, enter…
Enter Type or select a value in case sensitive.
Enter your name and
a drop-down list Depending on the
date of birth
element, formatting
should be in either bold

16
 or italic

With tabs, use “On the”

Use when going to:
Go to Lightbulbs.com. instead of “Go to” if a
● Websites
brief instruction
● Webpages Go to the Services tab.
immediately follows.
Go to ● Tabs To change your
● Menus password, go to the “On the Products tab,
● Specific places Settings menu. select Light Bulbs.”
in the UI

Use Leave when

To leave navigating away from an
● Webpages alalighting.com click or app, program, or
Leave ● Windows tap submit. window without closing
● Apps Leave or minimize the it.
window.
When exiting a window
use close instead.

Drag the Documents

folder into Google Drive
● Windows to copy.
Move, drag ● Folders
● Files Move the JPEG from
Downloads to
Documents.

Close the Recent Items

● Windows folder.
● Folders
Open and Close Press Ctrl+T to open a
● Files
new tab.
● Tabs
Open a new document.

Press and hold the

Typically used when
power button to restart
instructing a user to do
your computer.
● Type keys a specific task that
Press and hold
● Buttons requires buttons and
Press and hold the CTRL
keys being held for 3-5
+ ALT + DELETE keys to
seconds.
close the program.

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 Avoid this if possible. If
you do use it, make
Interactions with a Right-click to display sure you are describing
Right-click
mouse the options. a computer-based task
and not one for a touch
device.

● Text
● Links
● Objects Select the Print icon.
● Cells Select Ctrl+Alt+Delete. The selected item/text
Select
● Check boxes Select the check box to is called a “selection.”
● Buttons agree to the terms.
● Icons
● Images

(Enlarging?)Viewing a
document (screen?) (Locate the magnifying
Zoom, zoom in, zoom
closer or further away glass icon?)
out
(decreasing?) on the Press Ctl and +
screen

Mobile-Specific UI Navigation
[note: “Select” might be a good universal word instead of “click” (web) and “tap” (mobile)]

VERB USE FOR EXAMPLES NOTES / EXCEPTIONS

Swipe left to delete the

Use swipe to describe message.
brushing a finger across Swipe right to get to
Swipe
the screen in a certain the menu.
direction. Swipe down to refresh
the page.

● Select Should always be used

● Submit Tap “submit” to to in the verb form to
Tap
● Activate complete. make the reader do
● Enable something

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 ● Disable Tap the “enable”
button to receive
notifications.

ADDITIONAL STYLISTIC CONVENTIONS

ITEM ASPECT / COMPONENT RULE EXAMPLES / NOTES

Use the indefinite "A CFL light bulb"

article ("a" or "an")
Articles
based on the acronym’s
pronunciation. "An LED light bulb"

Use all capital letters “An LCD Screen”

when writing acronyms
Capitalization
to distinguish them “In compliance with
from normal words. CDC guidelines”

Spell out an acronym in

lowercase when the
acronym is first used. American lighting
Place the abbreviation association (ALA)
Acronyms
in parenthesis following
the spelled out
First Mention acronym. Light-emitting diode
If the acronym reoccurs (LED)
in a subsequent
chapter, or web page,
reintroduce the spelled
out acronym.

For a familiar acronym, Familiar: LED lightbulbs

use it in the title and
introduce it in the
Titles
paragraph text. This article will go over
For an unfamiliar the basics of light-
acronym, spell out the emitting diode (LED)

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 acronym in the title and light bulbs.
then introduce the
acronym in parentheses
in the paragraph text. Unfamiliar: Light Bulb
Surplus Ordering

LIght Bulb Surplus

Ordering (LBSO) is a
service that allows
employees to purchase
lightbulbs in bulk.

Plurals

Use the same

apostrophe rules as The CEO’s headlights
written-out words. burned out.

Possessive
Only use the possessive The ALA’s designers
form for acronyms that created a marvelous
refer to individuals and display.
organizations.

Reorienting the Reader

/ Recontextualization

Use a table when

acronyms refer to
specialized terms
and/or are used in
multiple places
Table of Acronyms throughout the
document. Place the
table at the beginning
of the document,
following the table of
contents.

Capitalization Acronyms

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 Products, features,
company names,
proper nouns, etc.

Titles

Source without page

Use APA citation for all numbers: (Smith, 2005)
in-line reference
citations when citing a
source within the text is Source with page
necessary. Use in-line numbers: (Smith, 2005,
In-line references references when p. 47).
referring to,
summarizing, quoting,
or paraphrasing Source Linked in Text:
information from a Find more information
source. about incandescent
light bulbs.
Cross-References

Use APA citation style,

using footnotes to
indicate references
throughout the text.
1. Lastname, F. M.
Reference footnotes
Related content (Year, Month Date).
should be linked in the
references Title of page. Site name.
text and located at the
URL
end of a document,
numbered in the order
they appear throughout
the document.

Note

Use “tip”in a call out

Note Types when the information
makes a task easier Tip: Press the bookmark
Tip somehow. This content button to save an
is helpful to know, but article.
not critical to user
success.

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 Use Important to
convey information that
Important: Make sure
is necessary to begin a
the base numbers on
task. Failure to heed
Important the bulb and socket
this information will
match before
halt the user’s progress
proceeding.
but will not cause injury
or harm.

Use Caution to indicate

actions that can
potentially cause harm
to the user, system, Caution!: A loose
document, or product’s connection between
integrity. The user must the bulb and socket
Caution
proceed with caution to may cause the
avoid damaging actions, incandescent bulb to
unlike actions fail prematurely.
designated by Note,
Tip, or Important
messages.

Use en dashes when ● 1972–1974

[when do we use en
expressing a range of
Numbers and Ranges dashes instead of ● 4–2=2
numbers, a minus sign,
dashes?] ● –1
or a negative number.

Use the trademark

symbol “®” to indicate Install a new General
First use
that a word or name is Electric® light bulb.
a registered trademark.

Trademarks Capitalize the first letter

of a trademarked word
or name in successive There are many
uses. different types of
Successive uses
General Electric light
Use the trademark bulbs to choose from.
symbol for every use of
a trademarked logo.

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 FREQUENTLY MISUSED / MISSPELLED WORDS
Here’s a list of frequently misused/misspelled words for easy reference.

FREQUENTLY MISUSED EXPLANATION /

EXAMPLES NOTES
WORDS DIFFERENTIATION

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 Affect is a verb that
means “impact or
“You can affect change
change”.
affect, effect by voting”
Effect is a noun that
“Side effects include”
means “the result of a
change”.

Assure refers to
instilling confidence or
He was assured, by his
dispelling doubt.
doctor, that he was in
Insure is an agreement
good health.
that provides
protection from
assure, insure, ensure She needed to insure
financial loss, and is
her car with car
often associated with
insurance.
insurance.
I ensured no one would
Ensure refers to making
hear the phone call.
sure something will
occur.

Complement refers to
The new light bulb
something that
complemented the
completes something
lighting of the house.
complement, else.
I complimented the
compliment Compliment refers to a
company on the great
courtesy in the form of
quality of their light
admiration, esteem,
bulbs.
approval.

“The motion-sensored
light turns on
Continually refers to
continually throughout
intermittent action.
continually, the day.”
continuously “If left on continuously,
Continuously refers to
the light bulb will burn
uninterrupted action.
out.”

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 The camera was
discreetly hidden inside
the ordinary-looking
Discreet means to be
light bulb.
private or unobtrusive.
discreet, discrete Halogen, incandescent,
Discrete means
and compact-
separate and distinct.
flourescent are three
discrete types of light
bulbs.

The car is parked

Farther means at, to, or farther down the
by a great distance. street.
farther, further Further means over a
greater expanse of The car was parked
space or time. further than we
realized.

Repeated absences
Imply means to suggest imply a lack of student
indirectly, to hint at engagement.
imply, infer Infer means to deduce She could infer from
or draw conclusion the repeated absences
from that there was a lack of
student engagement.

personal, personnel

On principle, I could not

Principle means a rule continue to use non-
or ideal energy-efficient light
principle, principal Principal means a bulbs.
person in high authority The principal lead on
or of importance the new lighting project
is Ms. Thomas

Stationary describes an “The dark figure in the

object that isn’t moving distance was
stationery, stationary Stationery is a noun for stationary”
paper and other letter- “I write letters on fancy
writing materials stationery.”

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 As a contraction,
Your is the possessive
“You’re” is considered
form of the word “you”.
“Your hair is messy.” informal. In formal
your, you’re You’re is a contraction
“You’re a hairy mess!” documents, it’s better
of the words “you” and
to use the full phrase
“are”.
“you are”.

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