Editorial Style Guide
Styleguide Contents
Dates
Graduation Dates
In running text, when referring to a graduation year, use all four digits. When you need to abbreviate the year, use the final two digits of the graduation year, or expected graduation year, preceded by an apostrophe, and enclose the year in parentheses. Be sure that the apostrophe is headed in the correct direction.
- Xin Sheng, who graduated in 1987 with a double major in interpretive dance and mime, was the guest performer.
- Maggie Kopke (’07) won the department’s award for most creative undergraduate project.
Inclusive Dates
Use an en dash (–) (or a hyphen, if an en dash is unavailable) for continuing or inclusive numbers, but do not use a hyphen as a substitute for the word “to.”
- She taught in the chemistry department from 1995 to 1999. NOT She taught in the chemistry department from 1995–99.
- The 2006–07 academic year concluded with graduation ceremonies in Michigan Stadium. (Note: use 2000 instead of ’00 for this year only, e.g. 1999–2000, but 2000–01.)
Punctuation with Dates
No comma is needed between a month and a year. Commas are required before and after a year when month, date, and year are used.
- She began her studies in September 1999 and completed them in May 2003.
- She began her studies on September 1, 1999, and completed them on May 12, 2003.