1. Overuse of N.C. State

Whether the medium is the Technician or the Windhover, the audience is pretty much the same — the N.C. State community. Because of this, references to departments, programs and student groups can be assumed to be part of the University. This means that most references to NCSU are unnecessary. Sometimes, especially in sports, the reference is necessary to avoid confusion. Question every use of N.C. State or NCSU. When in doubt, leave it out.

2. Incorrect dates and times

Readers are spoiled, stupid and lazy. They don’t want to dig for the information they want, and that’s what the majority of style is all about. Dates and times are no exception. Use noon instead of 12 p.m. and midnight instead of 12 a.m. — it’s easier to understand. If the date is within 365 days of the publish date, before or after, don’t use the year — it’s common sense. Abbreviate months when a date is used ­— put that space to better use.

3. Misuse of collective nouns

Bands. Student organizations. Companies. All are collective nouns and are treated as a singular entity. This is the rule regardless of the ending, so use singular verbs and pronouns. The Beatles is playing… The jury reached its verdict. Sports teams are an exception. These take plural verbs and pronouns. The Yankees are… The Jazz are…

4. Incorrectly comparing quantities.

Figuring out which comparator to use can be a multi-step process. First, determine whether you’re talking about space or amounts. Describe something spatially with prepositions, i.e. the Birdhouse Rule. Describe amounts using less than, fewer than, etc. The second rule determines whether to use less or fewer. If you can count the items, fewer is correct. If you’re talking about things in bulk, like sand or large amounts of money, use less.

5. Passive voice.

Readers like action. They like to feel like they are a part of the scene. “be” verbs (am, is, are, was and were) are weak to begin with. Use them as part of passive voice construction and they’re even weaker. “The ball was hit by the ball.” Weak. Passive. Make it active. “The bat hit the ball.” Watch for be verbs followed by past participles as one possible indicator of passive voice. http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/g_actpass.html