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Episcopal Church Writing Style Guide

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  • a.m., p.m.Lowercase, with periods. See also time
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  • academic degrees
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  • acronymsIn general, avoid acronyms. If it is necessary to use an acronym, spell it out on first usage and supply the acronym in parentheses: Episcopal Youth Event (EYE). Note: Do not […]
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  • addressesUse the abbreviations Ave., Blvd., and St. only with a numbered address: 815 Second Ave. Spell them out and capitalize when part of a formal street name without a number: Second Avenue. […]
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  • African AmericanSee race-related and ethnic references
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  • afterwardNot afterwards.
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  • all right Not alright.
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  • All Saints’ Day / All Souls’ DayUse apostrophe after the ‘s’. 
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  • America / American(s)As a guiding principle, be sensitive to context when using these terms. Associated Press guidance says “America” and “American” can be used to refer to the United States and U.S. citizens if the […]
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  • American Indians / Native AmericansSee race-related and ethnic references
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  • amidNot amidst.
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  • among / between“Between” introduces two items, and “among” introduces more than two: The cookies were divided among Gretchen, Manuel, and Celine. Between you and me, I think this could be handled differently.
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  • amount, numberWhen the subject or object can be counted, use “number.” If it can be weighed or measured, use “amount.” The number of apples we counted today is 12. The amount of […]
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  • ampersand (&)See punctuation
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  • anti-Asian sentimentSee race-related and ethnic references
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  • anti-racismHyphenate. Also listed in race-related and ethnic references
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  • antisemitism (n.) / antisemitic (adj.)No hyphen; lowercase “S.” These are unified terms referring to prejudice or discrimination against Jews. See also AP Stylebook’s entry on “antisemitism”; International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s “Spelling of antisemitism”; also listed in race-related […]
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  • apostle/ApostleCapitalize when used before a name (Apostle Paul) or in the term “the Twelve Apostles.” Lowercase in other references: Peter was an apostle of Jesus. See also capitalization: guidance for religious references
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  • Apostles’ Creed, theCapitalize and use an apostrophe; lowercase “creed” in short form on subsequent reference: We will say the Apostles’ Creed this morning; the creed is printed in the bulletin. See also capitalization: guidance for religious […]
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  • apostrophe (’)See punctuation
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  • Arab AmericanSee race-related and ethnic references
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  • Asian AmericanSee race-related and ethnic references
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  • Asian Americans and Pacific IslandersSee race-related and ethnic references
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  • backwardNot backwards.
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  • baptismal covenant / baptismal vowsLowercase. See also sacraments
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  • Between / among“Between” introduces two items, and “among” introduces more than two: The cookies were divided among Gretchen, Manuel, and Celine. Between you and me, I think this could be handled differently.
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  • Biannual / biennialBiannual means twice a year and is a synonym for “semiannual.” Biennial means every two years. 
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  • Bible
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  • biblicalLowercase in all uses
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  • biblical citations
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  • bimonthlyNo hyphen. Means every other month. Semimonthly means twice a month. (Same with biweekly and semiweekly)
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  • bishopCapitalize when part of a proper name, but lowercase in all other uses. Bishop John Smith presided over the service. An alternative title when referencing a U.S. bishop is the Rt. Rev.: […]
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  • Black (adj.)Capitalize in racial, ethnic, or cultural references and use as an adjective: Black people, Black colleges, Black literature. Do not use Black as a singular or plural noun. See also race-related and ethnic […]
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  • Black Lives MatterSee race-related and ethnic references
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  • board / board of directors / board of trusteesLowercase unless part of a proper name. The board of directors opted to hold its annual meeting online. The Alpine University Board of Trustees welcomed a new chief executive officer on […]
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  • Book of Common Prayer, the
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  • book titles
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  • books of the Bible
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  • Brown (adj.)Avoid this imprecise term in cultural, ethnic, or racial references unless in a direct quotation (in which case, capitalize). Interpretations of what the term includes vary widely. (Note: This follows Associated […]
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  • canonsIn reference to the written rules that provide a code of laws for church governance, see Constitutions and Canons. See also entry in “An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church”
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  • CAPITALIZATIONAvoid unnecessary capitals; there is an institutional tendency to overuse capitals to indicate prominence or significance. Standard publication guidance for what and when to capitalize: Guidance for when to capitalize […]
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  • churchLowercase in all references—including references to the universal church—unless part of an official church or diocese name. The Episcopal Church. An Episcopal church. The Episcopal Church in Southeast Florida. See also Episcopal, Episcopalian
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  • Churches Beyond BordersThe following churches are part of this coalition: The Episcopal Church; the Anglican Church of Canada; the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.
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  • churchwideOne word, lowercase. 
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  • cisgenderSee gender and sexuality references
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  • clergy titlesSee titles
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  • commasSee punctuation
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  • committeeCapitalize when part of a formal name; lowercase in shortened versions of the full name. Joint Nominating Committee for the Election of the Presiding Bishop; the nominating committee for the next […]
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  • composition titlesSee titles
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  • Constitution and CanonsCapitalize when referring to the published document containing the official set of governing rules for The Episcopal Church and in numbered citations. Lowercase in other uses.
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  • courtesy titlesSee titles
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  • dashesSee punctuation
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  • dates
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  • deaf / DeafLowercase to refer to the audiological status of people with total or significant hearing loss: deaf, hard of hearing. Uppercase when referring to the culture and community of deaf people: Deaf education, […]
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  • diocese
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  • directions and regionsLowercase north, south, east, west, etc., when used as a direction: Austin is south of Dallas. But capitalize when referring to the region: Her Southern accent was not always understood in the Northeast. The […]
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  • DISABILITIES
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  • doctorUse the title “Dr.” only in first references to those who hold the following “doctor of” degrees: dental surgery, medicine, optometry, osteopathic medicine, pediatric medicine, or veterinary medicine. Do not […]
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  • emailNo hyphen.
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  • epigraphShort quotation at the beginning of an article; sometimes these are used at the start of Episcopal Church department newsletters. Per Chicago Manual of Style, don’t use quotation marks, and […]
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  • Episcopal / EpiscopalianEpiscopal is the adjective; use Episcopalian only as a noun referring to a member of The Episcopal Church: She is an Episcopalian, and she is also an Episcopal priest.
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  • Episcopal Church Center, TheRefers to the headquarters for The Episcopal Church, located in New York City, where the fiduciary responsibilities for the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society are carried out, among other activities. […]
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  • Episcopal Church Executive Council, TheOr, the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church.
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  • Episcopal Church, The
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  • etc.Avoid using this at the end of lists. Supply as many specific examples as possible and then stop.
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  • event titlesSee titles
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  • fallLowercase the season. The fall 2022 term starts next week. The Executive Council will hold its fall meeting in Chicago.
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  • femaleSee gender and sexuality references
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  • fewer / lessWhen the subject or object can be counted, use “fewer.” If it can be weighed or measured, use “less.” We picked fewer apples this year compared with last year. There is […]
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  • follow-upHyphenate (n. and adj.)
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  • foreign wordsPlace in quotation marks, with an explanation provided as to meaning: The word “mission” comes from the Latin verb ”mittere,” which means “to be sent out.”  
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  • formal titlesSee titles
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  • gender / sexSee gender and sexuality references
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  • GENDER AND SEXUALITY REFERENCESLanguage around gender and sexuality continues to evolve. With minor exceptions, we follow the guidance of the Associated Press style team, which also consults with the following groups: NLGJA: The Association […]
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  • gender-neutral languageSee gender and sexuality references
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  • gender-nonconformingSee gender and sexuality references
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  • genderqueerSee gender and sexuality references
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  • General Convention / the General ConventionPrecede with “the” when referring to the bicameral governing body of The Episcopal Church; when referring to the gathering event that takes place every three years, use “General Convention” unless […]
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  • gentileLowercase.  
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  • GodCapitalize when referring to the one God. Lowercase when referring to the deities of polytheistic religions and in words such as godlike, godliness, and godsend.  
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  • Good NewsCapitalize when referring to the story of Jesus Christ, as presented in the New Testament.
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  • Gospel / gospelCapitalize when referring to the first four books of the New Testament. Lowercase in other references. Today’s reading comes from the Gospel of Luke. We learn of Jesus’ earthly life in the Gospels. We […]
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  • headlines
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  • HispanicSee race-related and ethnic references
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  • Homeless / homelessnessAvoid using “the homeless” as a collective noun. Use constructions such as “people without homes,” “homeless people, “people without housing.” Mention homelessness only when relevant. “Homeless shelter” is acceptable for […]
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  • inclusive-language optionsSee gender and sexuality references, MCC Inclusive Language Guidelines
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  • IndianSee race-related and ethnic references
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  • IndigenousSee race-related and ethnic references
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  • internetLowercase.
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  • it’s / its“It’s” is a contraction for “it is.” “Its” is a possessive pronoun: It’s easy to admire its beauty. (Tip: When in doubt, substitute another possessive pronoun, such as “her”; if […]
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  • italicsDo not use italics for book and other composition titles, nor for foreign words. Use quotation marks instead. Avoid using italics for emphasis, unless seeking to draw attention to a […]
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  • Jesus’Possessive form. We strive to live by Jesus’ way of love.
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  • Latino(s) / Latina(s) / LatinxSee race-related and ethnic references
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  • less / fewerSee fewer, less
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  • LGBTQ+This acronym is acceptable in all references for “lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer and/or questioning,” plus other sexual and gender minorities. It is best used as a collective adjective: The […]
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  • Livestream / livestreamingOne word, no hyphen.
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  • Login / logon / logoffOne word, no hyphen. Use two words in verb form. The login information was emailed. I log on to my laptop.
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  • MagiCapitalize in reference to the wise men from the East who brought gifts to the infant Jesus. Lowercase other references to the three kings, unless used in composition titles or […]
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  • minority / minoritiesSee race-related and ethnic references
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  • multiculturalOne word, no hyphen. Also listed in race-related and ethnic references
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  • multiethnicOne word, no hyphen. Also listed in race-related and ethnic references
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  • multilateralOne word, no hyphen. Also listed in race-related and ethnic references
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  • multiracialOne word, no hyphen.
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  • nonbinarySee gender and sexuality references
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  • nonprofitOne word, no hyphen.
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  • numbers
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  • onlineOne word.
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  • page numbers
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  • Parenthesis / parenthesesSee punctuation
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  • people of colorSee race-related and ethnic references
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  • phone numbersArea code in parentheses: (212) 111-1111, ext. 1111. (If used within parentheses, use a hyphen after the area code: 212-111-1111, ext. 1111.) If your work has a multinational context, it […]
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  • poorSeek to avoid references to “the poor” or “poor people.” Use “low income,” “people living at the poverty level,” “people living in poverty,” “people experiencing poverty.” The poverty level in […]
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  • presiding bishopCapitalize when it precedes a proper name; lowercase in all other uses. A presiding bishop can also be referred to as the Most Rev. before a name. The webinar will feature Presiding Bishop […]
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  • Pride / prideCapitalize in reference to organizations or events honoring LGBTQ+ communities; lowercase for generic events or general concept of LGBTQ+ pride. River City Pride. “Are you going to Pride?” he asked. It’s […]
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  • pronounsDo not assume “he/him” or “she/her” when referring to someone. When possible, check with a person on their pronoun usage (some people include their pronouns in their email signatures). “They/them” […]
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  • provincesUse Roman numerals when referring to provinces within The Episcopal Church: The Episcopal Church’s newest province is Province IX.  
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  • PUNCTUATION
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  • queerSee gender and sexuality references
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  • quotation marksSee punctuation
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  • quotationsLess is more when crafting direct quotes. Paraphrase easily verifiable facts; save direct quotes for opinion-type statements. How to punctuate quotes: Inset quotes: For longer quoted material, such as song lyrics, […]
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  • RACE-RELATED AND ETHNIC REFERENCESAs the AP Stylebook notes, writing about race-related issues “calls for thoughtful consideration, precise language, and discussions with others of diverse backgrounds whenever possible” about “what language is most appropriate, […]
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  • re-Do not hyphenate double-e combinations with re-, such as reengage, reestablish, reemerge, reenact.
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  • rector Lowercase.
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  • religious referencesSee capitalization: guidance for religious references  
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  • religious titlesSee titles: clergy and religious
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  • reverendUse “the Rev.” before a name on first reference for a priest or minister. On second reference, use last name. Capitalize “the” only if used at the start of a […]
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  • Rule of LifeCapitalize.
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  • sacramentsCapitalize the proper names used for a sacramental rite that commemorates the life of Jesus Christ or signifies a belief in his presence: the Lord’s Supper, Holy Communion, Holy Eucharist. Use […]
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  • saintIn a title or as a proper noun, the abbreviation “St.” is preferred.  For parishes named after a saint, the saint’s name takes an apostrophe: St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, St. James’ […]
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  • same-sex marriageSee gender and sexuality references
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  • Scripture(s) / scripture(s)Capitalize when referring to writings in the Bible. The movie contained many Scripture references. We will turn to the Scriptures for guidance. Lowercase when referring to sacred writings of a religious group: the Hindu […]
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  • seasonsLowercase spring, fall, winter, summer.
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  • semiannualTwice a year (synonymous with biannual). Don’t confuse with biennial, which means every two years.
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  • Sept. 11Term to describe the attacks on the U.S. on Sept. 11, 2001. Use the year for clarity if needed. Also acceptable is 9/11.
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  • sign-upHyphenate noun and adjectival forms; use two words as a verb. The sign-up forms are on the website. Sign up for the webinar online.
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  • slaves / enslaved peopleSee race-related and ethnic references
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  • socioeconomic references
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  • springLowercase the season. The spring term will include special speakers on Wednesdays. The retreat was held in spring 2022.
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  • standing committeeLowercase unless part of an official name. The diocesan standing committee reviewed the proposal; the Joint Standing Committee on Racial Reconciliation will meet next week; the Standing Committee of the Episcopal […]
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  • startupOne word (n. and adj.), no hyphen.
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  • statesSpell out the names of states except in postal addresses and in lists. Commas should set apart the name of the city and the state: She lives in Portland, Oregon, with […]
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  • summerLowercase. We will host the retreat this summer. The summer 2020 session was cancelled.
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  • that / which“That” introduces a restrictive clause, and “which” introduces a non-restrictive or parenthetical clause. When in doubt, “which” always takes a comma before it, and “that” does not take a comma: I […]
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  • time
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  • time zones
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  • TITLESSee the categories below for guidance on clergy, composition, event, and formal titles. clergy and religious titles: The first reference to a clergy member (bishop, priest, or deacon) normally should include […]
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  • towardNot towards.
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  • transgenderSee gender and sexuality references
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  • triennium (n.), triennial (adj.)Lowercase. Referring to a period of three years; happening every three years. The Episcopal Church’s General Convention is a triennial occurrence. During this triennium, the church’s Executive Council will meet up […]
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  • Two-Spirit (adj.)See gender and sexuality references
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  • United NationsCan abbreviate as U.N. on first reference; in headlines, use UN (no periods).
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  • United StatesThe abbreviation U.S. is acceptable on first reference as a noun and adjective. Many refugees are seeking asylum in the U.S. The U.S. Supreme Court will decide on the case later […]
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  • URLThis acronym for Uniform Resource Locator, an internet address, is acceptable on first reference. When including a URL in text, it is not necessary to include https or www. When […]
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  • vespersLowercase.
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  • vestryLowercase.
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  • videoconference, -ingOne word. The committee used the videconferencing platform to interview candidates.
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  • voicemailOne word.
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  • ward / -wardNo ‘s’ at the end of this suffix. Examples: backward, downward, forward, homeward, onward, toward. 
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  • wardenLowercase unless before a name. Preferred form is to set the lowercased title apart from the name by commas. The senior warden, Jane Doe, made the announcement. See also titles: clergy and religious
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  • websiteOne word, lowercase. Also: webcam, webpage, webfeed.
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  • well-beingHyphenate.
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  • well-informedHyphenate.
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  • White / white (adj)Uppercase and use as an adjective, not noun, to describe race: The study showed that White participants found the curriculum extremely helpful. Lowercase when referencing racist actions or terms: white supremacy, white supremacists. (Note: The […]
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  • Who / whom“Who” is a pronoun used as the subject of a sentence; “whom” is a pronoun used as the object of a sentence. When in doubt, remember that “whom” and the pronoun “him” […]
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  • Wi-FiCapitalize and hyphenate.
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  • wide / -wideNo hyphen. Examples: worldwide, nationwide, citywide, industrywide.
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  • winterLowercase. The podcast will launch in winter 2024.
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  • woman / womenSee gender and sexuality references: female
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  • Word / wordCapitalize only when used as a synonym for Christ; lowercase in other uses. The Word became flesh and dwelled among us. This study will provide resources to explore the riches of […]
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  • World Health OrganizationThe acronym WHO can be used on second reference.
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  • World War I, World War II
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  • year-endHyphenate (n. and adj.).
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  • year-roundHyphenate (adj. and adv.).
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  • yearlong / yearslongOne word.
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  • years
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  • YouTubeOne word, capitalize ‘T.’
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  • yuletideOne word, lowercase, no hyphen.
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  • ZoomCapitalize (proper noun) when referring to the Zoom platform.
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