At Blue HQ Media, we strive to produce the highest quality of content possible in our stories. While the content of each story is important, the grammar and syntax of our stories is equally as important. This grammar and style guide is not meant to re-teach you in grammar, but to provide a quick, go-to tool for common grammar and style questions. Please contact Dalton Tinklenberg with any questions to the guide or suggested additions. This is a working guide as we continue to think of new additions and alterations.
Dates: Months are abbreviated in date form, but not abbreviated elsewhere (ex. The Colts are bad in September…Sept. 29 was a good day). The specific date numeral is JUST numbers (Feb 18, NOT Feb. 18th).
Ellipses: In journalistic writing, there’s not a lot of room for ellipses. Often, writers will use ellipses because they can’t figure out how to transition to a new sentence. Please don’t use unless intending dramatic effect or a pondering feeling (The leading touchdown leader is…Robert Turbin?).
Names: The first time you mention a player/coach/owner’s name, it is his full name (Andrew Luck is the quarterback of the Colts). Every time thereafter, use his last name (Luck is a good quarterback).
Numbers: The numbers 0-9 are all spelled out (zero, one, two, three, etc.) Anything 10 and up are in numbers.
Oxford Comma: In a series of three or more things, there is no comma before “and” proceeding the final thing (ex. Luck, Hilton and Moncrief are great players…we lost to the Texans, the Titans and the Patriots)
Rankings: As you rank things, follow the numbers style above. 1-10 are spelled out (first, second, third) 10+ are numbers (13th, 27th, 32nd). You can also use the phrase No. to indicate number. Check out these correct examples:
- The Colts had the league’s fifth passing offense.
- The Colts have the 10th-best offense in the NFL.
- The Colts ranked No. 30 in the NFL in total defense.
- The Colts finished 27th in passing defense this year.
Time: If denoting a specific time of day, use a.m. and p.m. as written. Never say 12 noon or 12 midnight. If an event is on the hour, no need for :00 (The game starts at 1 p.m.) but does need it for obviously odd times (The game starts at 9:30 a.m.).
We: Although we are all fans, we don’t use the term “we” when referring to the teams we are covering.