Last updated: October 2023
The Saskatchewan Polytechnic Style Guide is for use by Saskatchewan Polytechnic employees. Using these guidelines will ensure that Saskatchewan Polytechnic written communication is consistent throughout our organization and presented in a professional manner. This guide is an evolving document and we welcome suggestions for changes, updates, and/or additions.
If academic style is required, please use the APA style.
These publications are the foundation for Sask Polytech’s Style Guide:
- Canadian Press (CP) Stylebook
- Canadian Press (CP) Caps and Spelling
- Canadian Oxford Dictionary of Current English
- Web Style Guide
The Communications and Marketing Department created and updates these guidelines. Please contact us with questions or additions at communications@saskpolytech.sk.ca.
Accreditation (listing of certificates, diplomas, etc.)
Format:
Water Resources Engineering Technology diploma
bachelor’s degree, master’s degree; bachelor of arts, master of arts; bachelor of science
BA, MA, MBA, PhD
B.Sc., Dip.Tech., PhD, BA, BSN, MBA, BSW, Dip., Cert.
Rules:
- Use lowercase for words such as certificate, diploma and degree when preceded by the full name of the program.
- Use lowercase for general references of credentials.
- Use uppercase for credential abbreviations but only for commonly known terms.
- Periods are used where abbreviations combine upper and lowercase unless the abbreviation begins and ends with a capital.
List credentials only from programs fully completed and graduated from; academic credentials that are pending should not be listed. Use the following guidelines:
- Lowest credential first, e.g., Dip. (Civil), B.Sc., MA, PhD.
- Professional designations:
- List the designation in chronological order of achievement. e.g., RN, PhD; or B.Sc., M.Sc., P.Eng.
- Diploma, certificate and journeyperson credentials:
- List an abbreviated form of the credential. e.g., Dip. (Water Res.); Cert. (Electronics); Inter-Prov. Jny. (Ref. & A/C). If there is more than one diploma, certificate or journeyperson credential, list them as follows: Dip. (Water Res., Civil); Inter-Prov. Jny. (Welder, Carp.).
- Certifications such as WHMIS or 1A Driver’s Licence:
- Should not be listed.
- Nursing credentials are separated from the person’s name (and from each other) with commas. There are usually no periods within the credentials (e.g., “BScN” not “B.Sc.N.”).
Acronyms
Format
Prior learning assessment and recognition (PLAR) credit assess what you know, no matter how you learned it. Read more to learn more about the PLAR process.
EMTs, PCBs
CTV, CBC, RCMP
Rules
- Always capitalize acronyms.
- The expanded form should be used for a first reference followed immediately by the acronym in brackets. After that, the acronym alone can be used.
- When an acronym is pluralized, the final “s” is lowercase.
- Familiar and common abbreviations and acronyms can be used without the initial long form.
- Program Operating Procedures (POP), Ministry of Advanced Education (AE) and Saskatchewan Polytechnic Administrative Offices (SPAO) are only to be used internally at Sask Polytech.
Ampersand
Format
The ampersand (&) is the symbol for “and.”
Rules
- The ampersand should not be used in the content body or in formal writing.
- The ampersand can be used in titles to save space on the web.
Boilerplate
The Sask Polytech boilerplate articulates preferred wording to describe who we are and what we do. It is commonly used in news releases, but it may be used for other purposes. For the most up-to-date boilerplate, check the Media and Press page.
Capitalization
Classes and courses
Format
I am registered for Psychology 101.
I am going to my psychology class.
Rules
- Use uppercase only when naming a specific course title. Otherwise use lowercase.
Committees and councils
Format
the senior management council
Saskatchewan Polytechnic board of directors
Rules
- In general reference these are not capitalized.
Compositions such as reports and guides
Format
Operating and Capital Plan
Your Future: The Sky's the Limit!
Rules
- Use uppercase for the first letter of all principal words in the title. Principal words are nouns, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, verbs and the first and last words of the title, as well as prepositions and conjunctions of four letters or more.
- In titles, capitalize the first word following a colon.
Credentials - certificates, diplomas and degrees
See the Accreditation section.
Department, division, office and school names
Format
Academic and Research Division
Communications and Marketing Department
Communications and marketing
Paula Jones, dean of Business
John is studying psychology and accounting.
School of Business
Saskatchewan Polytechnic School of Business
The Saskatchewan Polytechnic Library
The Campus Store
Rules
- Words are capitalized only when they are part of the formal title. General references use lowercase.
- Divisions, departments, programs and offices are capitalized when used in reference to the role of a specific person
- Disciplines are not capitalized in general references.
- The word "school" should be capitalized as it's an official component of the name.
- When possible, Saskatchewan Polytechnic should precede the school name.
- Library locations are collectively described as singular.
Events
Format
Saskatchewan Polytechnic Business and Industry Dinners
Media is always welcome at Saskatchewan Polytechnic events such as open houses and business and industry dinners.
Rules
- If an event has a proper name, capitalize first letters of all principal words.
- If an event is part of a more general reference, then use lowercase.
Government offices or ministries and institutions
Format
Ministry of Finance
Saskatchewan Learning
Rules
- Capitalize provincial and federal government bodies when part of the formal name.
Headings, sub-headings for minutes, agendas, lists.
Rules
- Use uppercase for the first letter of the principal words.
Internet terms
Format
Internet, World Wide Web
the web
web page
website
online
Rules
- Capitalize specific proper names.
- General terms should be lowercase.
Names of organizations (Commercial, government, non-profit)
Format
Pronto Airlines
National Film Board of Canada
the Arthritis Society
Rules
- Names of organizations are proper nouns and capitalized.
Program names
Format
Integrated Resource Management program
Centennial Summer Student Employment Program
Rules
The word "program" is not capitalized, unless it is part of an official name.
Proper nouns
Format
Elder
the Banff Centre
the Great Depression
Rules
- A proper noun identifies a specific person, place or thing and begins with a capital letter.
- All other nouns are common nouns and should begin in lowercase.
Publications such as newspaper
Format
the Moose Jaw Times Herald
the Diabetes Association
the University of Regina
Rules
- Lowercase “the” when it precedes names of newspapers, institutions, companies, associations, etc.
Salutations
Format
Dear Students and Staff
Rules
- In written salutations, words such as faculty, staff and students are capitalized.
Titles for specific persons
Format
Mayor Wendy Thompson
President Michael Wong
Dean Nora O’Malley
Kevin Doherty, parks, culture and sport minister
Elaine Howard will serve as acting dean until December.
The finance minister will make an announcement later today.
James Brown, mayor of Saskatoon
Jane Smith, president of Saskatchewan Polytechnic
the vice-president
Arnold Boldt, associate vice-president, Academic and Research Division
Sincerely, Frances Mills, Controller
Rules
- Capitalize formal titles (those that could be used with the surname alone) that are used as part of proper names and when they directly precede the name of the individual. Note this exception: When a person has a very long title, put the title after the name and set it off with a comma in order to avoid “front-end loading” and too much capitalization.
- A title set off from a name by commas is lowercased.
- Do not capitalize occupations, professions or job titles used in general reference.
- A title or role description by itself or following the name of an individual is not capitalized.
- When the division is included in the title, leave the division capitalized.
- Organizational roles are capitalized if they are part of an address/signature on a letter whether preceding or following the name.
Copyright
Find out more information about the Sask Polytech copyright office and policy.
Dates
Format
Tuesday, January 8, 2015
Renovations will be complete in August 2015.
Jan., Feb., March, April, May, June, July, Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec.
the 1980s
spirit of ’76; throughout the ‘50s
2017-18
Rules
- Wherever possible, in running text calendar dates should be written out in day-month-date-year format with elements separated by commas.
- Spell out when the month stands alone or appears with a year.
- For months used with a specific date, abbreviate only month names: Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov. and Dec. (spell out all others).
- In tables and charts, day and month abbreviations can be used without the period.
- Use lowercase “s” to pluralize decades.
- For informal reference to a decade, use an apostrophe prior to the final two digits.
- When writing multiple years, use the following format 2017-18 (not 2017-2018).
- The academic year at Sask Polytech is July 1 of one year to June 30 of the next year.
Grammar and usage tips
List of tips
- "e.g." and "i.e."
- e.g. means “for example” and should be followed by a comma.
- i.e. means “that is” and should be followed by a comma.
- ”Fewer” and “less”:
- Use “fewer” to refer to objects that can be counted, e.g., There are fewer students using the cafeteria; I have fewer dollars than you do.
- Use “less” when referring to general amounts or concepts that cannot be counted, e.g., She has less interest in coffee than I do; I have less money than you do.
- "In regard to" and "regards"
- Use “in regard to” not “regards.”
- "More than" and "over"
- Use of “more than” rather than “over”: “More than” is preferred with numerals, e.g., He made more than $100 in sales; More than 60 applicants responded to the ad.
- “Over” is preferred with spatial relationships: She jumped over the hole.
- "Than" and "then":
- “Than” is used in comparisons when you are talking about a noun being more, less, etc. in relation to another noun: We have more books than magazines at the library.
- “Then” is used to indicate time in a series of events: First the student enrolled, then she attended classes.
- “That” and “which”:
- Use “that” without commas to precede clauses essential to the meaning of sentences, e.g., I remember the day that I started working at InkHouse.
- Use “which” and commas for non-essential (could be removed without affecting meaning) clauses: The company, which already has won many awards, is now developing a niche product.
- “Titled” and “entitled”:
- In referring to a named work, either “titled” or ”entitled” is acceptable, e.g., The book was entitled The Great Gatsby or The book was titled The Great Gatsby.
- "Toward" and "towards"
- Use “toward” not “towards.”
- ”Who” and “whom”:
- “Who” is the pronoun used for references to people (not to an institution or university), and it is generally the grammatical subject of sentences, clauses, or phrases, e.g., Who is coming to the party? The man who received the tickets was my friend.
- “Whom” is used when someone is the object of a verb or preposition, e.g., With whom do you wish to speak? The girl to whom the car was given already owned a truck.
Hyperlinks
Rules
- Do not use "click here".
- Do not make titles hyperlinks.
- When linking an email address, ensure the email address is in display using firstname.lastname@saskpolytech.ca
- Avoid unnecessary external links as it directs the user away from saskpolytech.ca.
Indigenous
Glossary
Indigenous definitions in this glossary were informed by Indigenous information from: the Assembly of First Nations, Carleton University, Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, Gabriel Dumont Institute, Government of Canada, Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre, Saskatchewan Polytechnic, University of British Columbia and University of Victoria.
Indigenous belief statement
Indigenization declaration
Indigenous greeting for speeches
Tawow, háu/haŋ, anin, tanshi, and edlant’e. I would like to acknowledge that Saskatchewan Polytechnic is situated on Treaty 4 / 6 Territory and that we are gathered on the ancestral lands of the Cree, Saulteaux, Dene, Dakota, Lakota and Nakoda peoples, and the traditional homeland of the Métis.
Notes for presenter:
- Males say háu (pronounced how) and females say haŋ (pronounced haun)
- Saulteaux is pronounced soto.
Land acknowledgement
Pronunciations and definitions
Anin sikwa (Nakawē)
Pronunciation: ah neen See qua
Definition: welcome
Avik wiiyawow (Michif)
Pronunciation: ah-vick wee yah wow
Definition: belong, with them, to be part of them
awîyak kasehkimiht (Cree)
Pronunciation: ahh-wee-yahk gah-see-he-gee-imm-mitt
Definition: giving inspiration to someone, inspiring
bdiheʾ́icʾiya (Dakota)
Pronunciation:
Definition: to strengthen oneself, empowering
Bi-zhaazhig (Nakawē)
Pronunciation: bee- zaa-ah-zig
Definition: all of you are welcome, welcoming
Daya ya hi (Nakoda)
Pronunciation: dye- yah—yah—hi
Definition: welcoming
ê-sihtoskâtoyahk (Cree)
Pronunciation: e see toe ska tie yahk
Definition: strengthening/supporting each other
The name of the Indigenous Students’ Centre, Saskatoon campus.
Edlanet’e (Dene)
Pronunciation: it lawn EE tay
Definition: welcome
hai, hai (Cree)
Pronunciation: hi hi
Definition: thank you
Hau koda (Dakota)
Pronunciation: how koda
Definition: welcome
Hau kola (Lakota)
Pronunciation: how cola
Definition: welcome
Hau kona (Nakota)
Pronunciation: how ko na
Definition: welcome
Heca (Dakota)
Pronunciation: hey-ka
Definition: to be, to belong to something, belonging
Hóʔą (Dene)
Pronunciation: hoe awh
Definition: welcoming
Hóhiya (Dakota)
Pronunciation: hoe-ee-yah
Definition: Encouragement, inspiring
Men’s way
Ihkwēwāk (Nakawē)
Pronunciation: ik way wuk
Definition: women
įknúwągąduwa (Nakoda)
Pronunciation:New Wag ga Dowah
Definition: to build oneself up, inspiring
Ininiwāk (Nakawē)
Pronunciation: nin ee wuk
Definition: men
Kaykiyow Nassyoon Mamawapowuk Enn plass (Michif)
Pronunciation: ka key ow, nass yoon, ma ma wo po wuk, enn place
Definition: All Nations Gathering Place
The name of the Indigenous Students’ Centre, Prince Albert campus.
Ki-kinomawo (Nakawē)
Pronunciation: ky kin oh mah woh
Definition: inspire, teach by example, teach by role modelling
kinanâskomitin (Cree)
Pronunciation: kin na nask coo meh tin
Definition: thank you
kiscâyâwin (Cree)
Pronunciation: kiss – cah-yaa-win
Definition: to belong, belonging
kiskēyihtamowin (Cree)
Pronunciation: kiss kay it ahh moe win
Definition: experience
kiskēyihtamowin asiwacikan (Cree)
Pronunciation: kiss kay it a moo win, a si wutch i kun
Definition: A collection of resources to help you along your journey towards Indigenization,
reconciliation and decolonization
The name of Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s knowledge container.
Mahsi cho (Dene)
Pronunciation: mah see cho
Definition: thank you
mamâhtâwihew (Cree)
Pronunciation: mah-maah-tao-wee-hue
Definition: he/she empowers him/her to do extraordinary things, empowering
Marsee (Michif)
Pronunciation: mar see
Definition: thank you
Marsi (Dene)
Pronunciation: mar see
Definition: thank you
Mîkwêc (Nakawē)
Pronunciation: meeg- wich
Definition: thank you
Miigwech (Nakawē)
Pronunciation: mee gwe tch
Definition: thank you
Mnihéya (Nakoda)
Pronunciation: Min Hey yah
Definition: to strengthen. to make strong, empowering
miyo wâhkôhtowin (Cree)
Pronunciation: mee yoh wah gooh toe win
Definition: good relationships
Nâpêwak (Plains Cree)
Pronunciation: nah pay wuk
Definition: men
Nebah ho?á (Dene)
Pronunciation: nib nah hoe awh
Definition: welcome, there is room for you, there is room for everyone
Nundoweydahgozi (Nakawē)
Pronunciation: NUN do way dah gozee
Definition: where you are wanted, belonging
Ohpihâ (Michif)
Pronunciation: ooh pēē ha
Definition: inspire
Okâch (Nakoda)
Pronunciation:Oak Cha
Definition: to welcome one person
Okâ otâgach (Nakoda)
Pronunication: Oak ohtay Cha
Definition: to welcome more than one person
Okhódaya (Dakota)
Pronunciation: Oak ho die yah
Definition: welcoming
Ombi-ah` (Nakawē)
Pronunciation: oh-bee-ah
Definition: inspiring, to fill someone with confidence and eagerness, inspiring
Pēžik Tēwē-ihkan, Pēžik Mihtē-ihkan (Nakawē)
Pronunciation: p/bay-shhick meh deh ig gaan, p/bay-shhick deh way ih gaan
Definition: One Heart, One Drum Beat
The name of the Indigenous Students’ Centre, Regina campus.
Pidamaya (Dakota)
Pronunciation: pee dah ma yah
Definition: thank you
Men’s way: ho pidamayado
Women’s way: hau pidamayaye
Pihtikewé – kihèw waciston (Cree)
Pronunciation: pee-ta-guay ku-hay-you watch i son
Definition: Eagle’s Nest
The name of the Indigenous Students’ Centre, Moose Jaw campus.
Philámayaye (Lakota)
Pronunciation:pee lah mah yah yee
Definition: thank you
Sītoskawâ (Michif)
Pronunciation: see tōōs kawa
Definition: empower
Tanshi (Michif)
Pronunciation: taun shee
Definition: welcome
tatawaw (Cree)
Pronunciation: tah tah wow
Definition: welcoming
tawâw (Cree and Michif)
Pronunciation: ta wow
Definition: welcome
Tipyihtâkosô (Michif)
Pronunciation: tee pēēya tāā kōōsōō
Definition: belong
Tóhe (Nakoda)
Pronunciation: toh-hey
Definition: his/her place, belonging
tôtamowin (Cree)
Pronunciation: toe ta moe win
Definitinon: action
wāpa kih ôtēh nīkāhn (Cree)
Pronunciation: wah paw key ohtay nee kahn
Definition: tomorrow in the making, looking forward to tomorrow
Wicaša (Dakota/Lakota)
Pronunciation: wee cha sha
Definition: men
Wichitowin ahci kaskihtamâsowin ati nikan (Michif)
Pronunciation: wee chee hee too win - a chēē - gaas gee ta ma soo win a tee nēē kan
Definition: helping each other with success for the future
The name of the 2024-2029 Indigenous Student Success Strategy.
Winyaŋ (Dakota/Lakota)
Pronunciation: wee yeah
Definition: women
wītōkamāhtōtān (Cree):
Pronunciation: wee-toe-ga-maah-toe-tan
Definition: working together toward a common goal
Wiyokihiya (Dakota)
Pronunciation: wee yoke key yah
Definition: empower, to empower someone, to make someone capable of accomplishment
Wįca (Nakota)
Pronunciation: wee cha
Definition: men
Wįyą (Nakota)
Pronunciation: wee yeah
Definition: women
Wopina (Stoney Nakota)
Pronunciation: woah-pin-nah
Definition: thank you
zoongitayehwin (Nakawē)
Pronunciation: Zoo knee tay yah win
Definition: strong Heart/Ability to do something, empowering
Spelling
Do not capitalize Cree words.
Elder (capitalized) |
First Nations |
Homeland of the Métis |
indigenization (not capitalized) |
Indigenous (capitalized) |
non-Indigenous |
Métis (to insert the accent over the e, press CRTL + ‘ (apostrophe) then e) |
Storyteller or storytelling (one word) |
Teepee |
Treaty (capitalized) |
Treaty territories
Saskatchewan Polytechnic campuses can be found on Treaty 4 and Treaty 6 territories, and Saskatchewan is home to a total of six treaty territories.
- Moose Jaw: Treaty 4 territory and homeland of the Métis
- Prince Albert: Treaty 6 territory and homeland of the Métis
- Regina: Treaty 4 territory and homeland of the Métis
- Saskatoon: Treaty 6 territory and homeland of the Métis
Lists
There are three types of lists.
Informal list
Format
Duties include:
- planning
- organizing
- cleaning up
Rules
- Contains only a few words and no verb phrase.
- Punctuation and capitalization in short, bulleted items of a few words can be eliminated
Lists that combine to form one long sentence
Format
You may wish to participate if you have self-identified as:
- a person of Aboriginal ancestry;
- a member of a visible minority group;
- a person with a disability; and/or
- a female in a non-traditional or managerial position.
Rules
- Bulleted items are separated by semicolons and with a concluding period.
- Lowercase the first letter of the bulleted item.
Lists of items that are each at least one independent sentence or that can be treated like a full sentence
Format
The requirements for selection are:
- Submit a nomination form.
- Include a statement of intent.
- Have the support of your program head/supervisor. This is required due to the time commitment required.
Rules
- Capitalize the first letter of the bulleted item and add a period at the end.
Numbers
Format
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine
10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, etc.
One hundred women joined the march.
$2M
3-4 p.m.
1,400
Rules
- Spell out numbers one to nine.
- Use numerals for 10 and above.
- Spell out all numbers beginning sentences.
- It is acceptable to use M capitalized following a numeral to indicate million.
- Use numerals instead of word for ranges.
- Use a comma to separate numbers after 1,000.
Official Saskatchewan Polytechnic names and addresses
Academic schools
- School of Business
- Joseph A. Remai School of Construction
- School of Health Sciences
- School of Hospitality and Tourism
- School of Human Services and Community Safety
- School of Information and Communications Technology
- School of Mining, Energy and Manufacturing
- School of Natural Resources and Built Environment
- School of Nursing
- School of Transportation
Campus names
Format
Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Saskatoon Campus
Saskatoon campus
Rules
- Saskatchewan Polytechnic is part of the official name of each campus. Correct format includes a comma between Saskatchewan Polytechnic and the campus name.
- Capitalize the word campus when it is part of a proper name, e.g., Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Saskatoon Campus, vs. our Saskatoon campus.
- To refer to all educational locations in a city collectively, use: Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Moose Jaw Campus; Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Prince Albert Campus; Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Regina Campus; Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Saskatoon Campus.
- When a campus is identified whether in text (i.e., in correspondence, titles of print materials, media releases, etc.) or verbally (telephone answering, media interviews, etc.), both Saskatchewan Polytechnic and the campus name must be used.
Refer to the campus page for official names and mailing addresses.
Departments
Divisions
Programs
Format
Addictions Counselling program
Early Childhood Education diploma program
Rules
- Use program names as they appear on the website. (Here's the A to Z listing.)
- Never capitalize the word "program" when used following an official program name.
- Never capitalize the words “certificate” and “diploma” when it is not part of the official program name.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic full and legal name
Format
Saskatchewan Polytechnic
Rules
- The legal name refers to the institution’s name in full. It should be used when possible within the province and always used outside Saskatchewan.
- Saskatchewan Polytechnic is always the first component of an official campus name.
- Always use Saskatchewan Polytechnic in the first instance of an official reference, e.g., Saskatchewan Polytechnic Administrative Offices or Saskatchewan Polytechnic board of directors, is used in-text. Thereafter, the name can be omitted and simply Administrative Offices and board of directors may be used.
- For all inquiries where legal proof is required to show the name change from SIAST to Saskatchewan Polytechnic, please provide the Saskatchewan Polytechnic Act in a pdf form.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic short version
Format
Sask Polytech
Rules
- The Sask Polytech shortened version should only be used within Saskatchewan, where it is well-known and understood.
- The abbreviation is Sask Polytech with a space. It is used without the space in the URL and in social media account names.
PDFs
- All attachments for external distribution should be in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF).
- Convert PDFs to HTML (Web) format where possible instead of forcing the user to download a file.
- PDFs must have a Sask Polytech logo and conform to design standards.
Format
Annual Report (pdf)
Rules
- In digital format, inform the user of PDF links by including (pdf) at the end of the hyperlink.
- Have the PDF open in a new window so the user does not lose navigation on the website.
Per cent, percentage, %
Format
per cent
0.1%
Rules
- Use the per cent symbol (%) in research reports, scientific and statistical copy,
lists, and copy that includes numerous percentage figures. In all other cases, spell
out the word per cent.
- There is no space between the symbol and the number.
- Use one format throughout the document.
- When using the symbol with numbers less than one, put a zero before the decimal point.
Provinces
Format
AB - Alberta
BC - British Columbia
MB - Manitoba
NB - New Brunswick
NL - Newfoundland and Labrador
NT - Northwest Territories
NS - Nova Scotia
ON - Ontario
PE - Prince Edward Island
QC - Quebec
SK - Saskatchewan
YT - Yukon
Rules
- Use Canada Post’s two-letter abbreviations for province names
Punctuation
Colon
Format
The memorandum is consistent with Sask Polytech’s new direction in agricultural programming: to focus on custom solutions that capture emerging opportunities.
The memorandum is consistent with Sask Polytech’s new direction in agricultural programming: We will focus on custom solutions that capture emerging opportunities.
Rules
- Use a colon before a concluding summary in a sentence.
- Capitalize the first letter following the colon if the concluding summary contains both a subject and a verb.
Comma
Format
New online students are advised to go through the online login demonstration, run their browser tune-up and become familiar with the set-up of their online courses.
Our Internet site is 467-4278, and our intranet site is mySaskPolytech.
As a major employer of Sask Polytech graduates, SaskPower recognizes the importance of providing students with access to the technology they will use in the workplace.
The online students’ welcome letter, which comes from the director of Learning Technologies, helps introduce students to what they can expect from their online experiences.
Students not on work placements network with SaskPower personnel to discuss career options. (“Not on work placements” is a restrictive element, i.e., it restricts participation to those not on work placements and is necessary for correct meaning.)
The announcement on mySaskPolytech read, “Donation creates state-of-the-art lab.”
Rules
- A comma is often used to develop a sequence within a sentence or to separate items in a list. In Sask Polytech convention, a comma generally is not required before the conjunction (and, but, or) at the end of a list.
- A comma is used between independent clauses joined by a conjunction (and, but, yet, etc.).
- A comma is used after introductory clauses.
- A comma can be used to separate non-restrictive elements (could be removed without changing meaning) from the rest of the sentence.
- Do not use a comma to separate a restrictive element.
- A comma is used to introduce a quotation of a complete sentence.
Compound word
A compound word is made up of two or more existing words. Consult the Canadian Oxford Dictionary.
Hyphen
Format
Our school uses state-of-the-art technology.
Students can choose either one- or two-hour tours.
The 12th-grade student didn’t notice he was on a one-way street.
Rules
- Use a hyphen to join two or more words serving to form a single adjective before a noun.
- When using hyphens for successive compound adjectives, if the second part of the first adjective is omitted, the hyphen is retained and followed by a space.
- Use hyphens in adjective phrases that include whole numbers or fractions.
- Hyphens are not required after a word ending in ly.
Period
Format
Saskatchewan Polytechnic is Saskatchewan's primary public institution for post-secondary technical education and skills training. We're a polytechnic recognized nationally and internationally for our expertise and innovation.
Rules
Between sentences, key just one space after a period.
Quotation mark
Rules
- Do not use quotation marks in an attempt to emphasize a word, e.g., Enrol “today”!
- Quotation marks can set off a significant word or phrase, a word used ironically or an unfamiliar term on first reference. Do not use around routine words or phrases.
- Periods and commas always go inside closing quotation marks; colons and semicolons go outside. Question marks and exclamation marks go inside the quotation marks when they are part of the quoted matter, but outside when they apply to the entire sentence.
- Quotation marks are placed around cited words or phrases.
- A quote set within a quote is put in single quotation marks. A quotation within a quotation that also ends the sentence is as follows: Deirdre commented, “Mother is always saying to me, ‘Sit up straight.’”
- Use single quotation marks in a headline.
Semicolon
Format
The faculty is excited about working with the new equipment; it has sparked the students’ enthusiasm and motivation to learn.
Rules
Use semicolons between independent clauses that are not separated by a conjunction.
RSVP
Format
RSVP to John at 306-555-1234 by Friday, April 19, 2017.
Rules
- When using RSVP on an invitation, do not follow with the word “please” as it is included in the expression, e.g., Réspondez, s’il vous plaît = Answer, please.
- Make sure instructions are clear and correct.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic glossary
Refer to the glossary.
Spelling
If the word you are looking for is not included in the list below, consult Canadian Press Caps and Spelling first, then the Oxford Canadian Dictionary second.
List of words
$2 million; $2-million project |
3D |
affect (v.); effect (n.) |
alumna (singular female graduate) |
analogue |
analyze |
antennas (found on televisions etc.); antennae (found on an insect) |
award-winning (adj.) |
behaviour |
bioplastic (one word not bio plastic) |
booklist |
brand name (n.); brand-name (adj.) |
built-in (adj.) |
campus’ (plural possessive) |
campus’s (singular possessive) |
centre (not center) |
cheque |
child care (two words) |
classwork |
closed-circuit |
colour |
co-operative |
coordinator |
counsel, counselling, counselled, counsellor |
coursework |
credentialing, credentialed |
Criminal Record Check (capitalize when used in program prerequisites or requirements) |
curriculum (singular); curricula (plural) |
datum (singular); data (plural) |
Day 1 (It’s been the best program since Day 1.) |
daycare (one word) |
decision making (n.); decision-making (adj.) |
defence |
degree-granting institution |
drop-in (adj.) |
Elder (capitalize) |
|
emeritas (feminine form), emeritus (masculine form) |
enrol, enrolled, enrolling, enrolment |
entry-level job |
fast-track (v.), fast track (n.) |
first-come, first-served basis |
first-hand |
first-year student |
follow up (v.); follow-up (n.) |
front line (n.); front-line (adj.), i.e., front-line workers |
full-load equivalent |
full-time classes available full time |
gauge |
GED® (always has the registered trademark symbol following it) |
go-kart |
Grade 12 (singular); grades 7 and 8 (plural); grades 9 to 11 (plural) |
grey (not gray) |
hands-on (adj.) |
head-on (adj.) |
head start |
health care (n.), health-care (adj.) |
high level of proficiency |
high school (not high-school) |
high-demand admission process; high-demand skills |
high-quality |
high-tech training |
home page |
home study |
honour, honourable, honorary |
Indigenous (capitalize) |
internationally recognized |
interprofessional |
Internet (capitalized) |
intranet (not capitalized) |
job ready “students are job ready“; job-ready “job-ready students” |
journeyperson (not journeyman) |
judgment (not judgement) |
jump-start |
labour |
leading-edge technology |
learning-centred |
licence (n.); license (v.) |
life-changing (adj.) |
lifelong |
litre |
log in (v.), login (n., adj.) |
long-term care |
lowercase (n., v.) |
low-income |
mail out (v.), mailout (n.) |
metre |
mid-term |
Millenials (caps) |
modelling |
myriad (n., adj.) |
nationally recognized, nationally accredited |
neighbour |
note taking (v.) |
on campus (n. and prep.); on-campus (adj.) |
on hand |
online |
on-site (adj.) |
one-on-one |
one to two years |
overrepresent (one word) |
part-time (adj., adv.); part-timer |
per cent (two words) |
personalize |
post-degree (adj.) |
post-secondary (adj.) |
practice (n.), practise (v.) (Nurses practise a variety of health care practices.) |
practicum (singular); practicums (plural) |
prerequisite (n., adj.) |
preschool |
province-wide |
real-life learning, real-life approach |
real-world training |
reapply |
resumé |
ribbon cutting (n.); ribbon-cutting (adj.) |
role-play |
short order |
short-term (adj.) (short-term investment); short term (n.) (in the short term) |
skilful |
sold-out (adj.) |
stepping stone |
storyteller, storytelling (one word) |
subject-matter expert |
teepee |
theirs, its (possessive pronouns) (not their’s or it’s) but “it’s” for contraction of it is (It’s going to rain today) |
top-level |
toward (not towards) |
troubleshooting |
Ukraine (not “the Ukraine”) |
undergrads (one word) |
under-represented |
undersubscribed |
up-to-date |
uppercase (n., v.) |
user-friendly |
waitlist |
wastewater (one word) |
web page |
website (one word, not capitalized) |
well-being (n.) i.e., a happy state |
well-known (adj.) |
well-rounded (adj.) |
wide range of student services |
wide-ranging (adj.) i.e., wide-ranging skills |
Wi-Fi |
work site |
work term |
workday (one word) |
workforce |
workload |
workplace |
work-ready, workplace-ready (adj.) |
World Wide Web (capitalized) |
Telephone numbers
Format
306-653-3793
Rules
- All phone numbers should be listed as 10 digits without brackets around the area code and with hyphens.
- Whenever possible, include the toll-free number, 1-866-467-4278.
Time
Format
9 a.m.
10 - 11 a.m.
8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Noon, midnight
Rules
- Don't add :00
- Use a.m. and p.m., not in the morning, afternoon or evening.
- Only list a.m. or p.m. once at the end if both times are the same. If one is in the a.m. and one is in the p.m., provide both respectively.
- Time is written in figures; however, use noon or midnight, not 12 noon or 12 midnight.
Titles of works
Format
The Globe and Mail
relevance
Rules
- Italicize titles of works including books, magazines, newspapers, pamphlets, movies, songs, album titles, plays, radio and television programs and computer games.
Translations
This is the official translation of Saskatchewan Polytechnic in:
French
- Within text or explanations of our organization:Full form: École polytechnique de la Saskatchewan
- Abbreviated form: La Polytechnique Saskatchewan
- For website or document title purposes:Polytechnique Saskatchewan is acceptable