MIT Bulletin Style Guide

While there are many ways to say something, the MIT Bulletin follows a set of standards in order to produce a cohesive publication and a consistent experience for the reader. Use this guide as you work with your department's program description and subject listing to ensure the content meets catalog standards.

• If an instructor name has two initials, separate them with a space (Incorrect: J.A. Hoffman; Correct: J. A. Hoffman).
• Instructor field must be kept to a maximum of three names.
• Do not use first-person pronouns (we, our, us, etc.).
• Avoid using "in-class," i.e. "in-class exercises." "Exercises" alone implies they are done in class.
• Avoid using the term "hands-on," which is not particularly informative. It is preferable to instead describe what exactly makes the subject/project "hands-on" (e.g., "Students make" or "Involves a project in which").
• If a subject characteristic has its own field in CIS (such as joint, SWE, repeatable for credit, etc.), do not repeat that information in the description. This data is displayed in the subject listing.
• Present tense only (Incorrect: "Students will write;" Correct: "Students write").
• Do not use "this subject," "this class," etc. These are obvious references which are unneccessary for the purpose of the catalog description and add bulk to the overall size of the subject listing.
• Use "term," not "semester."
• Spell out "and" instead of using "&." The "&" may be used in transcript titles only (for space reasons).

Relevant Links

Catalog Standards

Title and Transcript Title: Naming a Subject

Transcript Titles: Standard Abbreviations

Subject Descriptions