CCF Content Style Guide

Know when to consult CCF Style Guide

The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation (CCF) does not expect its staff or volunteers to know all the rules of its style guide. That is why we are being proactive by providing one for reference with instructions on when to consult it.

CCF encourages its staff and volunteers to become familiar with the biggest differences among styles, and to check the guide when you have questions. CCF has chosen to write in Chicago style with use of the Oxford hard comma except with communication that is earmarked for the media and press. Below is other writing styles CFF has adopted:

  • Headline capitalization: AP style uses sentence case, while Chicago uses title case. Depending on our deliverable, CCF uses both.
  • Citation: MLA, APA and Chicago each offer templates for citing sources within a paper or a reference list. Citation will be used by any CCF academic works.
  • Punctuation: Notably, guides differ in their recommendations for the Oxford comma, the percent symbol, hyphens and dashes.
  • Numbers: Whether to spell a number or use a figure varies among style guides and even within each, depending on how you use the number. Also look up how to handle dates, ages and time.
  • Compound words: Recommendations for compounds change quickly, especially as words become common. Check a current guide for whether to write health care, healthcare, or health-care, for example.
  • Abbreviations and acronyms: Should you use a state abbreviation (like Fla.) or a postal code (like FL)… or always spell it out? In acronyms like U.S., do you need the periods? AP says yes, Chicago says you can go either way. CCF will use both depending on the deliverables.
  • Formatting: Chicago and APA italicize book titles, while AP uses quotation marks around them. Guides also include preferences for formatting bulleted lists, block quotes, sentence spacing and more. (Double spacing is no longer needed.)
  • Words about technology: Common usage changes quickly, and your content can look outdated if it doesn’t keep up — for example, a hyphen in “e-mail” or capitalizing “Internet.” Check your current style guide for recommendations, but also address these in house style if conventional guidance doesn’t make sense for your audience.
  • Brand names: Will you use camel case for eBay and iPhone? All-caps for IKEA? A hyphen in Wal-Mart or Walmart? CCF style addresses its brand names depending on its audience.
  • Identifying groups of people: The boundaries for respectful and inclusive language are ever-shifting so terms you’re accustomed to could be outdated. AP style, complementary media guides and APA style include up-to-date guidance based on common usage and recommendations from advocacy groups. CCF refers to those within its industry and doesn’t include preferences.
CCF writing goals
Voice & Tone
Writing about CCF
Writing about people
Web elements
Writing technical content
Writing legal content
Writing email newsletters
Writing for social media
Writing for accessibility
Writing for translation
Creating structured content
Copyright & Trademark
Acronyms