No st, nd, rd, or th on dates.
Example: January 1, not January 1st.
Use the month-day-year format in formal writing.
Example: January 25, 2016.
In instances where a numeric date form is preferred, such as a chart, or in cases where sorting data is important, use ISO style: use numbers to represent the year in full, the month, and then the day, separating each element by a hyphen.
Example: 2011-12-11.
Where space restrictions require the names of the months be abbreviated, abbreviate the following months: Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., and Dec.
When referring to the academic year, use a slash to indicate the last part of one year and the first part of the next.
Example: 2009/10.
Only insert commas with a full date.
Examples:
April 2, 1981. (comma)
April 1981. (no comma)
Don’t use apostrophes.
Example:
1990s. (not 1990’s)
When omitting the century, use an inverted apostrophe.
Example:
’90s. (not ’90’s)
Use the year only when referring to one other than the current year.
Example: The group first met on Sept. 13, 2009. They have accomplished little since that date.
But if the meeting occurred in the current year, don’t include the year.
Example: At a Sept. 13 meeting.
Never abbreviate days of the week.
Example: Monday, July 4. (not Mon. July 4)
No :00 for exact hours.
Example: The event is at 9 a.m. (not 9:00 a.m.)
12 noon and 12 midnight. (rather than 12 a.m. or 12 p.m.)
a.m. and p.m. Use periods after each letter, no space between. Use lower-case; never use caps. If indicating a range of time, do not use a.m. or p.m. after the first reference unless it is different than the following time.
Example: 9 – 9:30 a.m., but 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Do not capitalize names of seasons unless part of a formal title.
Examples:
The fall leaves are beautiful.
Ivey’s Fall Lecture Series.