When creating or editing archival description, refer to the style guidelines below for information on preferred language, terminology, syntax, and citations.
- EDISJ Style Guidelines — As archivists, it is our obligation to be mindful of how our work can either perpetuate or combat marginalization and erasure. We are committed to adhering to descriptive practices informed by empathy, respect, and transparency. These style guidelines, as a product of this commitment, are intended to promote equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice. These style guidelines are a living document intended to be modified and updated in an iterative process.
- Formatting and Stylistic Conventions — General guidelines for writing, including guidance on abbreviations, capitalization, numbers in narrative text, punctuation, and MIT preferred terminology and formatting.
- Reading Level Guidelines — These guidelines were created during the Spring 2021 Reading Levels Project which sought to provide guidance on revising past description as well as guidance for writing new description. We strive to create descriptions that will be accessible to a global audience. With that in mind we recommend writing or revising scope and content notes, biographical/historical notes, and abstract notes to be written within an eighth to tenth grade reading level.
- Referencing Published Materials — Guidelines for how to reference published materials in titles and to cite in end notes and bibliographies. Includes guidance on EAD markup for titles.