Springer Nature writing checklist
Consistency counts. It helps builds trust with customers, improves clarity and reduces cognitive load. It also allows AI browsers to find information more efficiently.
Is your writing clear?
No jargon.
Acronyms and abbreviations are written in full the first time they’re used.
The text can be scanned easily, with:
- clear headings
- short sentences (no more than 25 words long)
- simple words
Links are descriptive so it’s easy for customers with screen readers to navigate.
| Do | Do not |
|---|---|
| Read the guidelines | Click here |
No idioms. These can confuse our international customers.
| Do | Do not |
|---|---|
| We’ll begin to... | We’ll take steps to... |
Does it align with our style guide?
Sentence case is used instead of title case.
| Do | Do not |
|---|---|
| This is sentence case. | This Is Title Case. |
Only use capital letters at the beginning of words that are proper nouns.
| Do | Do not |
|---|---|
| The journal editor is John Smith | The Journal Editor is John Smith |
Dates are written in full in this format.
| Do | Do not |
|---|---|
| 21 February 2012 | 21st Feb ‘12 |
Spelling is UK English, not American English.
Bullet points and numbered lists follow our guidelines.
There are no dots between abbreviations such as APC.
Commas are used instead of dashes to break up a sentence.
Does it sound like us?
The language is conversational and sounds natural if you read it aloud.
Unnecessary words have been removed. For example: really, very, just, simply.
Please, thank you and sorry are rarely used. Only include them if we’re asking customers to make a significant effort or need to apologise because we’ve made a mistake.
Greetings and sign offs are polite and at a mid-level of formality. Use 'Dear' and 'Kind regards' for emails.
Help improve this page
If you’ve got a question, idea or suggestion about how to improve these guidelines, post in the Ask UX Content Teams channel.