PATH Writing and Style Guide
Welcome to our writing and style guide, a living resource for PATH communicators around the world.
To get started, click on the topics below. Or, to discover what’s new in PATH style, explore the details of our most recent update. To download a Word version of the guide, visit our Brand Resources page on SharePoint and scroll down to “Editorial style guide” under “Brand guides.” PATH staff who are interested in our proofreader training program should contact Christine Waresak at cwaresak@path.org. To report errors or broken links, also contact Christine Waresak at cwaresak@path.org.
Table of Contents
Learn about our website’s five main content types, the process for creating each, and what criteria External Affairs uses when moderating content.
Get tips for writing web articles that engage audiences and perform in social news feeds. Plus, learn which kinds of web articles perform best for PATH.
Learn the difference between high-risk and low-risk communications and how to get high-risk materials reviewed by External Affairs.
All PATH communications share common elements called brand attributes. Learn about each attribute and how to apply it.
Get an overview of PATH style for writing: what it means and why it’s important. Also discover the reference materials on which PATH style is based.
Learn about the two main approaches to citing your sources.
Visit PATH Central > Brand Resources for downloadable templates and other brand assets to enhance your communications.
When beginning a document, staff should consider the necessary elements of the document. For example, a front cover, title page, table of contents, or list of abbreviations may be required.
Follow PATH’s standard font and size and spacing in documents. Format your document to include the correct usage of bulleted lists, photo credits, and more.
Create clear and strong content by following PATH’s brand and identity guidelines. Find first- and third-person descriptions of the organization.
Find information about acronyms, initialisms, and true abbreviations and guidance on how and when to define them.
See a quick overview of British style as it pertains to PATH.
Learn PATH’s distinct rules for capitalization.
Master COVID-19 in your writing.
Learn how to format references for various document types per PATH style.
Get guidance on using numbers in text when writing about age, currency, dates, percentages, and other measurements.
Find capitalization, spelling, and abbreviation rules for PATH partner and funder names.
Get guidance on different forms of punctuation like the colon, comma, dash, quotation marks, and semicolon.
Find a list of words commonly used at PATH and guidelines for capitalization of terms like a project name or job title.
Get tips on how to handle trademarks and copyrighted material in text.
Understand common issues in word choice.