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NYU Libraries LibGuides Style Manual

An evolving manual of best practices for creating and maintaining New York University LibGuides. This manual is maintained by the LibGuides Editorial Working Group.

Writing for the Web

Here are some best practices for writing for the web:

  • Focus on the users and think of your topic from the their points of view.
  • Put the most important information at the top.
  • Link to denser material deeper in the page.
  • Chunk content.
  • Use the active voice.
  • Use plain, natural language and a void professional jargon and acronyms.
  • Be concise.
  • If the info exists on another library page, link to it rather than repeat it.

Web pages should use scannable text, using

  • highlighted keywords (hypertext links serve as one form of highlighting; typeface variations and color are others)
  • meaningful sub-headings 
  • Use bullet points for a list of points/items (a general suggestion is to break up list if more than 7 items, but you can use your judgement for the best effect here)
  • one idea per paragraph (users will skip over any additional ideas if they are not caught by the first few words in the paragraph)
  • half the word count (or less) than conventional writing 

source: Jakob Nielsen's How User's Read on the Web

Writing Tips

Show, don't tell—use bulleted list or links box rather than explaining what's in your guide

A red x. Welcome! On this guide, you'll find suggestions on how to find background information, scholarly articles, and primary sources related to U.S. History. Use the tabs at the top of this page to navigate.

A green check-mark. Use this guide to:

  • Find background information
  • Get scholarly articles
  • Locate primary sources

Use simple words and phrases—avoid jargon 

A red x. Germane Periodical Databases

A green check-mark. Useful Article Databases

Avoid passive voice and hidden verbs

A red x. The study room schedule was posted by me.

A green check-mark. I posted the study room schedule.

A red x. Conduct a search for articles

A green check-mark. Search for articles

Link text should provide information when read out of context—a call to action

A red x. To get a library card, click here

A green check-mark. Get a library card

Avoid all caps, they come across as shouting and are harder to read

A red x. EMAIL ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS!

A green check-mark. Email me with any questions.

Eliminate unnecessary words

A red x. Basically, you'll want to enter your search terms in the box below.

A green check-mark. Enter your search terms below.

Consistent Terminology

Libraries Terminology

It helps if consistent terminology is used across LibGuides. Here is an evolving list of preferred terminology:

  • Ask a Librarian (no dashes)
  • databases
  • ebook (one word, not capitalized)
  • email
  • Catalog, Library Catalog, NYU Libraries' Catalog, or Books & More.  Do NOT use "BobCat" anymore.

Screenshot from a LibGuide with an example of “BobCat” still being used in the description of an asset. On the top is a Catalog search widget and underneath is a WorldCat (OCLC) asset link. The link’s description includes reference to “BobCat” and it should say “Catalog” or “Library Catalog” or “NYU Libraries’ Catalog”.​​​​​​​

  • Course Reserves
  • EZBorrow
  • interlibrary loan
    •  ILL can be used once the full name has been used with parenthetical introduction (ILL).
  • internet
  • homepage
  • librarian
  • NYU ID Card
    • Net ID (email prefix)
    • "N" number (student ID number)
  • offsite (one word, no hyphen)
  • onsite (one word, no hyphen)
  • Research Guides
    • Not LibGuides ("LibGuides "refers only to the web-based software packaged from SpringShare).
    • Specify the specific guide type: subject guide, course guide or topic guide
  • research help (avoid "reference")
  • subject librarian
  • pages (instead of "Tabs" when referring to the sections of a guide)
  • users
  • website [e.g. Libraries website]

See more terminology at: NYU Libraries Communications Dept. Style Guide

University Terminology

  • Official Title: New York University
    • The article "The" does not precede the university name.
    • Use "NYU" in most references. Preferred usage. 
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