Selnate International School Style Guide

May 2016

Selnate International School (http://selnate.com/) is a private school offering
English courses specifically for English as a Second Language (ESL) students from a
wide variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Founded in 1999, Selnate has
expanded its courses to offer opportunities for English study at all levels and is
accredited by the Commission for English Language Program Accreditation (CEA).
Programs range from beginning English to advanced English and to college
preparation courses, including preparation for TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign
Language), IELTS (International English Language Testing System), GMAT
(Graduate Management Admissions Test) and GRE (Graduate Record Examinations)
testing. In addition, Selnate offers private tutoring options and a Homestay program
for students wishing to stay with host families for a greater cultural experience.
Given the multi-international background of its students, it is imperative that
Selnate communicates in a comprehensible and unambiguous system.

This in-house style guide is designed to meet the goal of coherence and cohesion in
online communication, as well as in written materials disseminated to a diverse
ethnic public. Basic guidelines for communication are founded on The Chicago
Manual of Style (sixteenth edition). In addition, this publication is designed to
address any decisions, based on this institutions needs, which clearly delineate
matters of choice germane to Chicago when multiple options are available.
Additional guidelines are clearly defined when style choice does not follow the
conventions of Chicago, in order to enhance Selnates ability to provide relevant and
understandable information to its patrons across the world. Integration of Global
English principles as exemplified in John R. Kohls The Global English Style Guide:
Writing Clear, Translatable Documentation for a Global Market (2008, SAS Press:
Cary, North Carolina, USA, ISBN 978-1-59994-657-3) are an additional resource
utilized by Selnate to enhance both web and written correspondence.














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In-house Style Guide
May 2016

Table of Contents:

2 Conforming to Standard English

2.1 Logic and Precision in Language Use

3 Simplifying Writing Style

3.1 Limit Sentence Length

5 Grammar and Usage

5.1 Parallel Structure
5.2 Singular and Plural Nouns
5.3 Restrictive Clauses
5.4 Prepositional Phrases
5.5 Use of Not
5.6 Verb Usage
5.7 Phrasal Verbs
5.8 SubjectVerb Agreement
5.9 Use of Articles
5.10 This, That, These, Those
5.11 Passive Voice
5.12 Use of (s) to Form Plurals

6 Punctuation
6.1 Em Dashes
6.2 Independent Clauses with Commas
6.3 Independent Clauses with Semicolons
6.4 Commas to Avoid Misreading
6.5 Serial Commas
6.6 Commas with Dates
6.7 Slashes

7 Spelling, Distinctive Treatment of Words, and Compounds

7.1 Use of the Word Homestay

8 Names and Terms

8.1 Organization Name
8.2 Academic Subjects

3

8.3 Days of the Week, Months, and Seasons

9 Numbers
9.1 Small Numbers
9.2 Words versus Monetary Symbols and Numerals

10 Abbreviations
10.1 Abbreviations
10.2 Latin Abbreviations
10.3 US versus United States
10.4 Acronyms

4

2 Conforming to Standard English

2.1 Logic and Precision in Language Use

Illogical and imprecise use of language renders translation more difficult and time-
consuming. Use care to maintain the literal meaning of each sentence. (See Kohl 2.1.)

Our staff consists of learning professionals certified in TESOL training, office

staff, and volunteer learning advocates dedicated to providing the best
experience for each student.

NOT

Our staff consists of learning professionals, office staff and volunteer learning
advocates, certified in TESOL training dedicated to providing the best experience
for each student.

3 Simplifying Writing Style

3.1 Limit Sentence Length

Short sentences aid both translation and readability by lessening ambiguity and complexity.
Try to keep sentences to a maximum of 25 words. (See Kohl 3.1.)

Part-time students will not receive a Certificate of Completion, but will receive a
Certificate of Participation. This certificate is based on length of attendance (at
least 80%) and class grade point average (at least a C).

NOT

Part-time students will not receive a Certificate of Completion, but will receive a
Certificate of Participation based on length of attendance (at least 80%) and class
grade point average (at least a C).

5 Grammar Use

5.1 Parallel Structure

Parallel structure provides syntactic cues that aid translation in addition to creating clarity
and smooth grammatical flow. (See Kohl 6.5 and Chicago 5.212.)

Selnate teaches classes in Business English, prepares students for TOEFL, GMAT
and GRE exams, and assists in locating student housing.

NOT

Selnate teaches classes in Business English, works to prepare students for

TOEFL, GMAT and GRE exams, and will assist in locating student housing.

5

5.2 Singular and Plural Nouns

The relationship between two nouns in a sentence must be clear and unambiguous. Kohl 2.9
states, when you use a singular noun where you should have used a plural noun (or vice
versa), you distort your meaning.

Each student must meet with an advisor weekly.

NOT

Students must meet with an advisor weekly.

5.3 Restrictive Clauses

In accordance with Global English guidelines, Kohl 4.4 recommends the word that be
consistently used to introduce relative restrictive clauses. (See Chicago 5.220 and 6.22.)

Selnate offers classes that prepare students for higher educational opportunities.

NOT

Selnate offers classes which prepare students for higher educational

opportunities.

5.4 Prepositional Phrases

To avoid ambiguity and aid in translation, prepositional phrases should directly follow the
word or phrase they modify. If the ambiguity persists when the phrase has been thus moved,
Kohl suggests moving the phrase to the beginning of the sentence or rewriting the sentence
to clarify meaning (Kohl 4.2).

Students leaving the building between classes for personal reasons must check
in at the office upon their return.

NOT

Students leaving the building for personal reasons between classes must check
in at the office upon their return.

5.5 SubjectVerb Agreement

Subjects and verbs must agree in person and number. Kohl suggests, Be logical, literal and
precise in your use of language (2.9). Plural subjects take plural verbs, as in the first
example; singular subjects (including collective nouns) take singular verbs, as in the second
and third examples (See Chicago 5.131).

Selnate instructors and lecturers are experts with proven skills in the fields of
language, instruction, business communication, and cultural adaptation.
The school is located in Provo, Utah.
Each student has an assigned counselor.

6

NOT

Selnate instructors and lecturers is experts with proven skills in the fields of
language, instruction, business communication, and cultural adaptation.
The school are located in Provo, Utah.
Each student have an assigned counselor.

5.6 Verb Usage

Verbs should be used to communicate important actions. Kohl 3.3 states, This guideline is
not specific to Global English, but it is so important for clear, readable, translatable
communication that it deserves special emphasis.

Selnate provides education in English on all skill levels.

NOT

Providing education in English on all skill levels is Selnates goal.

5.7 Phrasal Verbs

Keeping parts of phrasal verbs together aid in understanding and translation for both native
and non-native speakers. (See Kohl 3.4.)

Students must apply for visa clearance to the proper government agency before
completing the enrollment process.

NOT

Students must, before completing the enrollment process, apply to the proper
government agency for visa clearance.

5.8 Using Not

When used as a modifier, not should directly precede the word or phrase that it modifies to
prevent ambiguity. (See Kohl 4.1.2.)

Not all students are eligible for financial aid.

NOT

Students are not all eligible for financial aid.

5.9 Use of Articles

Articles are one type of determiner that function as a syntactic cue for non-native speakers
(see also this, that, those, and these below). According to Kohl 2.8, because incorrect use of the
is often translated into incorrect use of the corresponding article (if there is one) in [other]
languages, this issue is significant; therefore, both definite (the) and indefinite (a, an) articles,
when used properly, aid translation and promote clear understanding (See Chicago 5.68-70).

Unless noted otherwise, all paid students (regardless of visa and program type)
are eligible to participate in weekly activities and may use the computer lab
without additional charge.
If a student needs help with translation, a translator will be provided.

7

NOT

Unless noted otherwise, all paid students (regardless of visa and program type)
are eligible to participate in weekly activities and may use computer lab without
additional charge.
If a student needs help with translation, the translator is provided.

5.10 This, that, these, those

Limit the use of this, that, these and those to adjectives following a noun. Function of these
words as pronouns can be confusing to non-native speakers if their antecedent is unclear
(See Kohl 5.2).

We provide 20 hours of classes and instruction each week. These classes last
about 14 weeks and are held 4 days a week (Monday through Thursday).

NOT

We provide 20 hours of classes and instruction each week. These last about 14
weeks and are held 4 days a week (Monday through Thursday).

5.11 Passive Voice

Use of passive voice can lead to inconsistency in translation. Many languages do not use
passive voice construction, and conversion to active voice can lead to ambiguity and
misinterpretation. (See Kohl 3.6.)

Students staying with host families receive additional assistance with language
practice.

NOT

Students who will stay with host families receive additional assistance with
language practice.

5.12 Use of (s) to Form Plurals

In most languages you cannot form a plural simply by adding s or es. Therefore, to aid
translation Kohl 8.8.6 advocates revising the sentence by using each, every, or any of or one or
more, by rewriting the sentence, or by choosing to use the plural noun, thus avoiding the
structure.

Return any unwanted textbook before the end of the term.

NOT

Return your unwanted textbook(s) before the end of the term.


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6 Punctuation

6.1 Em Dashes
In order to follow Global English guidelines and to aid in translation, Selnate will place a
comma before a dependent clause in a sentence, avoiding the use an em dash as an aid to
translation and clarity. (See Kohl 8.5.2 and Chicago 6.31.)

Selnate is interested in the personal growth of each student in many areas, not
just English improvement.

NOT

Selnate is interested in the personal growth of each student in many areasnot

just English improvement.

6.2 Independent Clauses with Commas

Where necessary in longer sentence construction, two or more independent clauses should
be joined with a comma and a coordinating conjunction. (See Chicago 6.28.)

Advisement is provided for students in their own language, and every effort is
made to meet student needs in both educational and personal concerns.

NOT

Advisement is provided for students in their own language; every effort is made
to meet student needs in both educational and personal concerns.

6.3 Independent Clauses with Semicolons

Contrary to the allowance delineated by Chicago guidelines, care should be taken to avoid the
use of semicolons to link two or more independent clauses, as recommended by Global
English standards. (See Kohl 8.10.1 and Chicago 6.24.)

Classes are in session from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, and
from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday. Additional Saturday classes are in session from
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. as listed on the class schedule calendar.

NOT

Classes are in session from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday through Thursday; from
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday; from 9 a.m. on Saturdays as listed on the class
schedule calendar.

6.4 Commas to Avoid Misreading

Always use a comma where necessary to clarify sentence structure and avoid possible
misreading or misinterpretation (See Kohl 8.3.1.).

Help is available for all students, including those hosted by homestay families,
with financial concerns and transportation issues.

9

NOT

Help is available for all students including those hosted by homestay families
with financial concerns and transportation issues.

6.5 Serial Commas

In a list of three or more items, the comma preceding the conjunction is called the serial
comma. This comma should consistently be used to avoid possible misreading and enhance
clarity (See Chicago 6.18).

Students who stay with host families will receive practical English language
experience outside the classroom, gain greater culture awareness, and live in a
warm, friendly, and safe environment that becomes a home away from home.

NOT

Students who stay with host families will receive practical English language
experience outside the classroom, gain greater culture awareness and live in a
warm, friendly and safe environment that becomes a home away from home.

6.6 Commas with Dates

When using the month day year style of dates, always use a comma to set off the year. If
only a month and day are listed or if a holiday is listed with a year, no comma is used (See
Chicago 6.45).

Classes begin on September 6, 2016.

There are no classes on Labor Day 2016.

6.7 Slashes
For ease of translation and to avoid misrepresentation of meaning, slashes should not be
used in promotional and other materials. As an alternative, use or (preferable) or and (See
Kohl 8.11.2 and 8.11.3).

Students may stay in approved hotels or apartment facilities, approved by and

contracted by the school.

NOT

Students may stay in approved hotel/apartment facilities approved/contracted by

the school.

7 Spelling, Distinctive Treatment of Words, and Compounds

7.1 Use of the word Homestay

In Selnates literature, and on its website, the word Homestay should be written as a closed
compound and capitalized to provide emphasis, contrary to Merriam Websters collegiate
Dictionarys (11th edition) recommended usage (See also Chicago 7.2).

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Selnate offers several types of ESL homestay experiences, including

homeschooling, long-term, and short-term stay.

NOT

Selnate offers several types of ESL home-stay experiences, including

homeschooling,
long-term, and short-term stay.

8 Names and Terms

8.1 Organization Name
When either the Selnate letterhead or website logo is visible, reference in writing about the
school by name may be shortened to Selnate only. In other correspondence or materials that
do not feature either the logo or letterhead, use the full business name for the first complete
reference.

Selnate Interntional School is located in Provo, Utah. Selnate offers classes for all
levels of ESL learners.

NOT

Selnate is located in Provo, Utah. Selnate offers classes for all levels of ESL
learners.

8.2 Academic Subjects

Capitalization of academic subjects occurs only when they form part of a departmental
name or an official course name or are themselves proper nouns (See Chicago 8.84).

Level one students must register for English 101.

Preparation courses for prospective history majors are available online.

NOT

Level one students must register for english 101.

Preparation courses for prospective History majors are available online.

8.3 Days of the Week, Months, and Seasons

Names of the days of the week and the months of the year should be capitalized; according
to current Selnate preference, and to aid in translation, they will not be shortened. Names of
the four seasons will be capitalized, also according to Selnates preference, when they relate
to school semesters or terms (See Chicago 8.87).

Fall semester will begin on September 6, 2016.

NOT

Fall semester will begin on Sept. 6, 2016.


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9 Numbers

9.1 Small Numbers

Contrary to the guidelines recommended in Chicago, numbers from zero to one hundred will
be not be spelled out as words (See Chicago 9.2).

We provide 20 hours of classes each week. The courses last about 14 weeks and
are held 4 days a week (Monday through Thursday).

NOT

We provide twenty hours of class each week. The courses last about fourteen
weeks and are held four days a week (Monday through Thursday).

9.2 Words versus Monetary Symbols and Numerals

Money expressed in whole amounts need not include zeros and a decimal point, as preferred
by Selnate (See Chicago 9.21).

Save $500 or more on full semester, full time study.

NOT

Save $500.00 or more on full semester, full time study.

10 Abbreviations

10.1 Abbreviations
Abbreviations should be spelled out in their first use to assure understanding for readers
who may not be acquainted with the standard American forms (See Chicago 10.3).

Test preparation exercises are provided for the Test of English as a Foreign
Language-internet based exam (TOEFL iBT), Graduate Management Admissions
Test (GMAT) and Graduate Records Exam (GRE).

NOT

Test preparation exercises are provided for the TOEFL iBT, GMAT and GRE
exams.

10.2 Latin Abbreviations

Many non-native speakers are unfamiliar with Latin abbreviations. In addition, they are often
used inconsistently. Except for a few common abbreviations such as a.m. and p.m., eliminate
using Latin abbreviations, including i.e. and e.g. (See Kohl 9.11).

In order to gain admission to most colleges and universities, most international

students must pass an entrance exam (i.e., TOEFL, IELTS).

12

NOT

In order to gain admission to most colleges and universities, most international

students must pass an entrance exam (that is, the TOEFL, IELTS).

10.3 US versus United States

When functioning as a noun in running text, the United States should be spelled out. The
abbreviation form US should be used as an adjective only (See Chicago 10.33).

All student fees must be paid in US dollars.

Visa questions should be resolved before traveling to the United States.

NOT

All student fees must be paid in United States dollars.

Visa questions should be resolved before traveling to the US.

10.4 Acronyms
Acronyms should always appear in all capitals with no periods and no space between
elements, in roman type (See Chicago 10.2, 10.4 10.7).

Each class is designed to specifically assist international students to prepare for

graduate school, including passing the GRE and GMAT.
Our TOEFL Preparation courses focus on the skills necessary to pass the new
TOEFL iBT test.

NOT

Each class is designed to specifically assist international students to prepare for

graduate school, including passing the G.R.E and G.M.A.T.
Our T.O.E.F.L. Preparation courses focus on the skills necessary to pass the new
T.O.E.F.L. i.B.T. test.