CSCMP Periodical Style Guide

If you are interested in authoring or were asked to author one of CSCMP's periodicals (Hot Topics, Explores, or Global Perspectives) you may find the following style guidelines useful:

Acronyms

  • Spell out all acronyms the first time they are used in the text. Follow spelled-out acronym by a parenthesis and the acronym. You can then refer to the acronym throughout the text from this point forward. 
  • Some readers may be new to the topic or English might be a second language for them, so it’s important we spell out all acronyms as soon as they are used. 

References/Works Cited 

  • Wikipedia is not a valid reference. 
  • Use endnotes and not footnotes. 
  • Do not cite references in the text, use endnotes. 
  • All reports, indices, articles, and books mentioned within the text should be accompanied by an endnote so the readers can follow up at their leisure. 
  • Endnotes can list the works you cited in the text; context notes offering the reader comment, explanation, or information that the text cannot accommodate; and bibliographic notes containing either several resources or evaluative comments on sources. 
  • Preferred format: Maly, T. (November 2012) “Geeking Out on Materials: 3D-Print Circuits With Innovative Conductive Plastic.” Wired. Retrieved from: http://www.wired.com/design/2012/11/conductive-plastic/ 
  • All figures should have a source immediately under the figure, in italics. Preferred format: Source: Central Intelligence Agency, World Factbook (2011)

Font/Format 

  • Use Times New Roman size 12 or similar font type/size. 
  • 1.5 line space helps review the content/draft. 
  • 1” margins all around on 8.5x11 paper size. 
  • MS Word format. Images/Figures/Tables 
  • The CSCMP graphic designer will need to redesign each and every figure and table so it’s converted to the pagination software. 
  • Please provide a list of figures and list of tables at the bottom of the table of contents. 
  • Figures should be numbered separately from tables. Example: on page 7 “Figure 2: GDP Real Percentage Change” and on page 8 “Table 1: Gross Domestic Product Real Percentage Change.” Please number each figure sequentially, and each table sequentially. 
  • Figures and tables should be inserted within the text where they should appear, in the same MS Word document. Do not append figures and tables to the end of the document or send the figures in a separate file in another program or format (PowerPoint, Publisher, PDF, .jpg, .png, etc). 
  • Unless you have ownership of the photograph, CSCMP will need to use a similar, licensed image from their photo/image service bureau with paid licensing for use in the publication. 
  • Either translate figures and tables, or provide a translation under the figure. 
  • Make sure images are not unnecessarily complex for their size (such as a map of the European continent with multiple roadways and symbols which is sized at one inch by two inches). All figures should be large enough to read text easily.

Paragraphs/Line Spacing 

  • Single space after period. 
  • Single or line and a half between lines.  

Other 

  • CSCMP uses the Oxford/serial comma. http://grammar.about.com/od/grammarfaq/f/QAoxfordcomma.htm 
  • Please use the “%” sign instead of spelling out “percent” 
  • Foreign words (non-English) should be italicized. 

General Guidelines for Length 

  • CSCMP Hot Topics 
    – 4-6 pages long 
    – MS Word at ~250 words per page, double spaced in a Times New Roman or Arial font 
    – Plus any graphics, embedded within the text, as applicable

  • CSCMP Global Perspectives
    – 2-3-page Executive Summary 
    – 30-40 pages of narrative/text 
    – 2-5 pages of source reference material (Internet and/or hard copy sources) 
    – MS Word at ~250 words per page, double spaced in a Times New Roman or Arial font 
    – Plus any graphics, embedded within the text, as applicable

  • CSCMP Explores…
    – 1-page Executive Summary 
    – 10-20 pages of narrative/text 
    – 1-2 pages of source reference material (Internet and/or hard copy sources 
    – MS Word at ~250 words per page, double spaced in a Times New Roman or Arial font 
    – Plus any graphics, embedded within the text, as applicable

You may reach out to CSCMP staff any questions or concerns throughout the production process at [email protected] or +1 630.574.0985.