About OVCOJP SealMessage From the DirectorOVC Publishing Guidelines for Print and Web MediaNCJ 205247 / August 2004
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Writing for Print

Print publications include handbooks, monographs, bulletins, and fact sheets that are produced in hard copy and distributed from a clearinghouse facility.

Recommended Practices

For the best possible print publication, follow these basic writing guidelines:

  • Know your audience and what you want readers to do when they finish reading the publication. Write based on this goal and the readers' knowledge of the subject.

  • Outline the content before writing to ensure proper organization.

  • Use sidebars to summarize background or ancillary information.

  • Write in a style that is concise and easy to read (i.e., use short words and sentences, bullet lists, and descriptive subheads).

  • Apply a consistent and complete style to references and endnotes/footnotes.

  • Use good grammar and punctuation.

 

This document was last updated on August 20, 2004