SPIPA Communications Manual
Approved by the SPIPA Director’s Team, March 2017/Rev. Dec 2023
SPIPA Communications Manual
Table of Contents
Goal .........................................................................................................................1 Purpose ....................................................................................................................1 Disclosure of Agency Information ...............................................................................1 Logo and Branding Identity .......................................................................................1 Style Guide ...............................................................................................................2 Contacts ...................................................................................................................2 Process for Production of Communications Products ....................................................2 Timeline for Production of Communications ................................................................3 Printed Communications ............................................................................................3 Electronic and Digital Materials ..................................................................................4 Email ....................................................................................................................4 SPIPA Website .......................................................................................................4 SPIPA Social Media ................................................................................................5 PowerPoint Presentations .......................................................................................5 Broadcast Media .......................................................................................................5
Appendix A: SPIPA Logo and Brand Identity Guide Appendix B: SPIPA Style Guide
SPIPA Communications Manual
Goal This Communications Manual provides guidelines for effective communications to improve employee and public understanding of SPIPA’s policies, initiatives and services. This aligns with the SPIPA Strategic Plan 2016-2020, Goal Six, Strategy 3: Develop and implement a communications and outreach plan to continually inform Tribes.
Purpose The purpose of the SPIPA Communications Manual is to assist in the planning, production and dissemination of SPIPA communications materials, including print, electronic and broadcast media. This manual provides procedures to ensure graphic, editorial and publication standards for all communications materials. Clear understanding of, and adherence to, this Communications Manual is essential to achieving the goal. All communications materials produced by SPIPA employees and vendors are expected to follow the standards outlined in this manual.
Disclosure of Agency Information The SPIPA Executive Director, or his/her designee, is the only official spokesperson for SPIPA. All inquiries from the media shall be referred to the Executive Director, or his/her designee. Please refer to the SPIPA Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual, adopted by the SPIPA Board of Directors June 2016, Section II-F, for specific guidance about disclosure of agency information, specifically in public statements and social networking. A summary of that section is provided below. SECTION II-F: DISCLOSURE OF AGENCY INFORMATION 2. PUBLIC STATEMENTS: An employee may not communicate with the media in
any form as an official spokesperson of SPIPA or its member Tribes without prior clearance of the Executive Director or his/her designee. All inquiries from the media shall be referred to the Executive Director or his/her designee. 5. SOCIAL NETWORKING: Only employees authorized by the Executive Director are permitted to use social media platforms, websites, forums and blogs on behalf of SPIPA.
Logo and Branding Identity SPIPA has adopted logo and branding identity guidelines, included in this manual as Appendix A. All SPIPA communications materials should follow these guidelines.
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SPIPA Communications Manual
Style Guide A Style Guide is provided with this manual as Appendix B. This guide will assist in producing communications materials that have consistent use of tone, grammar and spelling.
Contacts For answers to issues not included in this manual, please consult the following “Communications Staff” in the SPIPA Planning/Development Department: Lonni Rickard, Communications Specialist 360.426.3249 or lrickard@spipa.org Joseph Reyes, Planning/Development Director 360.462.3218 or jreyes@spipa.org
Process for Production of Communications Products This is the process for production of all (internal and external) SPIPA-approved communications: 1. Initial meeting between requestor and communications staff to discuss overall needs and desired outcome 2. Submission of text and photos/images by requestor to communications staff 3. Communications staff will facilitate layout and design to align with the branding and style guides provided with this manual 4. Communications staff will provide draft proof(s) to the budget/ program expenditure authority 5. Budget/program expenditure authority will assign a final reviewer to proof the product(s) 6. Budget/program expenditure authority will approve final edited proof and return to Communications staff 7. Communications staff will facilitate production (internal or with vendor) 8. Non-standard products will require approval by the Executive Director 9. Communication staff will deliver final product to requestor 10. Requestor, in coordination with the communications staff, will disseminate
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SPIPA Communications Manual
Timeline for Production of Communications PROJECT ESTIMATED TIME NEEDED Setting content, proof reading and editing, 3-5 days e.g., flyers, job descriptions, signs Media release 2 weeks prior to event Advertisements 2 weeks prior to run date Invitations 2 weeks prior to mail date Posters 1 week prior to posting Programs, agendas 1 week prior to event Brochures, booklets 2-3 weeks Articles 3-4 weeks Toolkits, handbooks 3-4 weeks NOTE: Event plans should include communications planning in their event timeline to allow for adequate production and dissemination of materials.
Printed Communications All SPIPA print materials are subject to logo, brand, and style guidelines. This includes: advertisements brochures business cards calendars flyers handbooks invitations letters magazines meeting agendas merchandise nametags newsletters postcards program materials and forms program reports promotional items signage toolkits
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SPIPA Communications Manual
Electronic and Digital Materials All SPIPA electronic materials are logo, brand, and style guidelines. Only employees authorized by the Executive Director are permitted to use social media platforms, websites, forums and blogs on behalf of SPIPA.
Email Email accounts issued by SPIPA are subject to the SPIPA Information Technology Systems policy as described in Section V-B of the SPIPA Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual, adopted by the SPIPA Board of Directors June 2016. A summary of that section is provided below: SECTION V-B: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) SYSTEMS IT Policy: Employees agree to read and uphold the current IT policy located in the
SPIPA file shares.
User Accounts: Each employee must have a signed User Account Access form in
their personnel file. Supervisors will submit a User Account Request form for new user account creation and changes access to IT systems terminates upon separation from employment.
IT Equipment: Each employee shall sign an Agreement on Agency-Sponsored
Communication Equipment form upon issuance of mobile or wireless computer equipment. SPIPA email users should adhere to guidelines in Appendix A: Logo and Branding Identity Guide for how to set up and use the SPIPA email tagline. Employees should only use the fonts and colors set out in the Appendix A guidelines. Employees are not to embed background images or wallpaper in their emails.
SPIPA Website The SPIPA website is a strategy for continually informing Tribal consortium community members, project partners and funders/donors about SPIPA’s mission, goals, programs, economic opportunities and organizational progress. The SPIPA website (spipa.org) is maintained by the SPIPA communications staff. Changes to the content or design of the homepage must be authorized by the Planning/Development Director.
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SPIPA Communications Manual
SPIPA Social Media SPIPA has a Facebook, Linked In, and X age as a strategy to quickly and effectively inform Tribal community members about program services, events and other community-relevant information. The Social Media Accounts maintained by the SPIPA communications staff. Changes to the content or design of the page must be authorized by the Planning/Development Director.
PowerPoint Presentations All PowerPoint presentations (and other electronic presentation formats) should use the resources provided in the appendices to this manual to ensure consistency with SPIPA’s communications goal. Contact the SPIPA communications staff if you need a PowerPoint or other format template.
Broadcast Media All SPIPA broadcast media are subject to logo, brand, and style guidelines. This includes releases such as interviews, requests from funders, statements and articles through: newspapers, newsletters, radio, television, blogs, magazines and the World Wide Web.
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SPIPA Communications Manual Appendix A: SPIPA Logo and Brand Identity Guidelines
Logo Clear Space .25”
Gray stripped area indicates Safe Zone. Other graphical and visual elements can be safely positioned up to the adjoining light gray area. Light gray area indicates Clear Space. The light gray area must be kept free of all other graphical and visual elements.
.25”
.25”
The minimum required Clear Space is defined by the measurement .25”.
.25”
Minimum Logo Size When reproducing our logo, be conscious of its size and legibility. Generally, our logo should never appear less than 1" tall in printed materials, and no less than 75 pixels tall in the digital format.
Print - 1” Digital - 75 pixels
Proper Logo Use The SPIPA logo has been carefully designed and should never be altered in any way. These examples illustrate how to properly use the logo.
Improper Logo Use The SPIPA logo should never be altered. These examples illustrate how NOT to use the logo, but do not include all instances of misuse.
Do not stretch
Do not alter color
Appendix A - 1
SPIPA Communications Manual
The Typeface Family
When to Use:
Cambria Bold is used for Titles and Headers.
Cambria Bold
ABCDEF abcd1234 ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz 1234567890!@#$%^&*()
When to Use: Tahoma Regular, 12 pt font, is the standard for body text. It can also be used as the standard when stronger emphasis is needed, such as in: sub-headers and body text for advertising, stationery, website design, brochures and all forms of general correspondance.
Tahoma Regular
ABCDEF abcd1234
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz 1234567890!@#$%^&*()
Appendix A - 2
SPIPA Communications Manual
Cambria Bold
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz 1234567890!@#$%^&*() When to Use: Cambria Bold is used for: South Puget Intertribal Planning Agency text only.
South Puget Intertribal Planning Agency
3104 SE Old Olympic Hwy Shelton, WA 98584 360.426.3990 spipa.org
Tahoma Regular ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz 1234567890!@#$%^&*()
When to Use: Tahoma Regular is used for: the address, phone number and website address.
South Puget Intertribal Planning Agency
3104 SE Old Olympic Hwy Shelton, WA 98584 360.426.3990 spipa.org
Appendix A - 3
SPIPA Communications Manual Color Speci�ications
Pantone green CMYK RGB WEB
C83 M30 Y27 K1 R0 G141 B168 #007788
Pantone Red 032 PROCESS RGB WEB
C0 M83.83 Y59.45 K0 R253 G79 B87 #FD4F57
PROCESS RGB WEB
C0 M0 Y0 K100 R38 G39 B41 #262729
Black
Appendix A - 4
SPIPA Communications Manual Primary Design Elements
SPIPA Banner Most publications such as letterhead and brochures, some flyers should have this identifying arch image or atleast, make your material with this color as the main theme.
SPIPA Lines This is the signature background design used on most publications and web pages where applicable. The banner is to be used on the center background under the banner of print and digital products (ie. brochures, fliers, business cards, newsletters, envelope, letterhead, etc.).
SPIPA Photos This is the primary photo application used on all publications and web pages. The photos are to be used on print and digital products in high resolution at 72 d.p.i or higher for clarity on printed and digital products (ie. brochures, fliers, fact sheets, newsletters, envelope, letterhead, etc.).
Appendix A - 5
SPIPA Communications Manual SPIPA Branding Samples
Appendix A - 6
SPIPA Communications Manual Appendix B: SPIPA Style Guide It is important to note that this style guide is specific to SPIPA and is ever evolving as the process of decolonizing language surrounding indigenous peoples is not finished; terms, names, and styles continue to evolve. Creating communication documents that are clear will let the reader take in your exact message in one reading. These tips for clear writing (or plain language) will help you avoid future problems that may require answering more phone calls, writing explanatory letters and clearing up miscommunications.
Identify your audience Think about why the reader needs to read the document. Write to everyone who is interested, not just to technical or legal experts. Keep in mind the average reader’s level of technical expertise.
References to Racial, Ethnic, Cultural (And Political) groups •
Do Capitalize names of racial, ethnic, cultural (and for Native folks, political) identifiers o Capitalize Black
o Capitalize Indigenous, American Indian, Alaska Native.
o Capitalize other racial and ethnic identifiers, such as Asian and Latinx.
•
DO capitalize Indigenous or Native when part of a phrase, such as: nonIndigenous, or non-Native
•
Do NOT capitalize the word white
•
Use Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) rather than People of Color (POC) if referring to a group that includes Black or Indigenous folks
•
Refer to individuals by their individual racial/ethic/cultural/political identifiers rather than using BIPOC whenever possible. Example, “Natalia is a Latinx small business owner,” rather than, “Natalia is a BIPOC business owner.”
•
Avoid using the term Indian without a modifier (e.g. “Indian Country,” “American Indian”). Use of this term alone can be derogatory if used to refer to American Indians and Alaska Natives, and it creates confusion between Native Americans and people from India.
•
Use the term “First Nation” when referencing the indigenous population of Canada.
Appendix B - 1
SPIPA Communications Manual
• •
Do NOT capitalize sovereignty, self-determination, or self-governance. Do capitalize Treat Right or Treaty Rights
Tribe, Tribal: You shouldn’t capitalize “tribe” unless used as a proper noun. Example: The Nisqually Indian Tribe Example: She works with the tribe. You shouldn’t capitalize “tribal” unless you are referring to a specific program. Example: They are on Tribal Council Example: He provides leadership at a tribal business.
Write in active voice Voice is the form a verb takes to indicate whether its subject acts or is acted upon. When the subject does something (acts), the verb is in the active voice. When the subject receives the action (is acted upon), the verb is in the passive voice. Because the active voice emphasizes the doer of an action, it is usually briefer, clearer and more emphatic than the passive voice. Active Voice:
Greyson hit the ball.
Passive Voice:
The ball was hit by Greyson.
Keep it short You will communicate more clearly if you keep your sentences and sections short. Aim for an average sentence length of 20 words, with no sentence running over 40 words. Cover only one subject in each paragraph and keep paragraphs under 10 or 12 lines.
Use the word “You” Help users picture themselves in the text. When you address the reader as “you,” he or she feels directly addressed and is more likely to understand what his or her responsibility is. Also, remember to define in the beginning of the text who the audience or “you” is. By writing to be clear to an individual you will find it easier to:
• Put information in a logical order • Answer questions and provide the information that your reader wants to know • Assign responsibilities and requirements clearly Appendix B - 2
SPIPA Communications Manual Use of possessive determiners SPIPA is:
SPIPA is NOT:
- A Intertribal Organization
- A “Super Tribe”
- Respectful of Tribal Autonomy
- An authority over Consortium Tribes
- Collaborative platform for Empowerment - An imposer of external agendas In an effort to avoid phrases such as “SPIPA Tribes” when writing about SPIPA or its relationship to tribes, in any form of professional writing, It’s important to note that at any time, we as SPIPA Staff cannot give the impression that it, SPIPA, has any ownership over the tribes it serves through grant or program management. With that, it is generally recommended to avoid writing in First person, as it can be challenging to speak about programs and services administered at the SPIPA level. This is because academic writing often aims to convey information and arguments in an objective and impartial manner, avoiding writing in the first person helps create a sense of objectivity by focusing on evidence and ideas being presented rather than the personal experience or opinions of the author.
Don’t be wordy Omit needless words. Excess or elaborate words make your writing weaker. Original: At the present time, the FAA in accordance with new regulations, will, on a monthly basis, conduct random security checks in the event that there is a terrorist alert. Revised: The FAA, under new regulations, will conduct monthly random security checks if there is a terrorist alert.
Do not use and/or Most of the time you mean either “or” or “and” but not both. So, before writing your document, decide what you want to say and whether “and” or “or” will fit your meaning. Then choose one. Rarely will you need both.
Appendix B - 3
SPIPA Communications Manual Avoid “shall” Shall is an ambiguous word. It can mean must, ought, or will. Using the word “must” is the clearest way to convey to your readers that they have to do something.
Design and Layout •
Write in a visually appealing style.
•
With visual layout, you draw your readers’ attention to information they need to know.
•
Use descriptive headers: You increase readability by using headers that specifically describe the sections of your documents. Your reader absorbs the information more quickly and easily and understands its relationship to other information. The headers can then become a table of contents that communicates information more effectively to the reader.
•
Write short sections: Short sections break up the material into easily understood segments. They also look easier to read and understand.
•
Use vertical lists. Vertical lists highlight a series of items in a visually clear way. Use vertical lists to help your reader focus on important material.
Number of characters in a line Once you go beyond 65 characters in a line, readers have great difficulty reading at their normal speed. You should switch to another layout that makes your document easy to read.
Justifying margins Justifying means making the margins flush. Justifying the right-hand margin decreases readability because it causes the eye to stop at irregular spacing between words. This document has a justified left margin, and an unjustified, or ragged, right margin.
Using all capital letters It’s very difficult to read sentences in all capital letters because it’s unnatural and the normal visual cues are missing. A short header or press release title is readable in all caps, but anything more strains the reader.
Appendix B - 4
SPIPA Communications Manual Consider these other methods to highlight important information: boxing the information, changing type size or font, using italics or a light screen.
Use white space Although cost may dictate how much white space you can use to open up your document and make it easier to read, make use of the white space you currently have.
THINGS TO WATCH There are several areas of writing that are neither right nor wrong, yet still must be consistent. Read through this section to familiarize yourself with SPIPA’s grammar, style and spelling conventions.
ABBREVIATIONS
Avoid abbreviations in general as it can be confusing for the reader, particularly when referring to events or groups.
ACRONYMS
When using Acronyms, always spell out the acronym first and just after in parentheses, use the acronym, you can use the acronym freely throughout the document once it’s spelled out. (do not use periods between the characters)
SENTENCES
Choose active versus passive writing. Passive voice lowers readability and clarity. Example: Mark decided (not “it was decided”)
TITLES
All titles are to be in italics for easier readability (rather than underlined or with “quotes”). Example: Brian McLaren’s More Ready Than You Realize
DATES
Do write the date using at least the month and day: May 9 Use the year when appropriate, with month, day and year: May 9, 2017 Do not write like this: i. May 9th, 2017 ii. November ninth, 2017
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Appendix B - 5
SPIPA Communications Manual EMAILS
In text, email should be italicized and always lowercase. Never hyphenate email addresses at the end of a line. Never underline. Example: lrickard@spipa.org (not lrickard@spipa.org) Note: Avoid at all possible opportunities publishing personal email addresses. Use of spipa.org addresses is highly preferred.
PHONE
Should be separated with periods instead of dashes. Use lower case “x” for extension with no space. Use switchboard number whenever possible. Example: 360.426.3990 x3249 Note: Never publish personal phone numbers of SPIPA employees.
TIMES
Should be written consistently and concisely. Use am/pm, lowercase without periods. Example: 6:00pm (not 6 p.m. or 6:30 P.M.) Example: 5-6:00pm
WEB
Use lowercase for all web addresses.
WORDINESS
Internet addresses should not be underlined. Drop www. In body copy, addresses should be italicized. Never hyphenate. Example: nicwa.org (not www.nicwa.org) Web is capitalized when referring to the World Wide Web or Web site. When used as an adjective like web addresses or web copy, web is lower case. Avoid it and eliminate unnecessary phrases or adjectives. If the sentence makes sense without it, you should take it out. A clear, concise writing style is preferred over a wordy, flowery style. Example: phrases like “for more information” and “a time of” can generally be omitted.
Appendix B - 6
SPIPA Communications Manual PUNCTUATION, SPELLING & GRAMMAR
This section describes the grammar, word choice, punctuation and spelling errors that occur most often.
AMPERSAND/AND
Use the ampersand when it is part of a company’s formal name or composition title. The Ampersand should not be used in place of “and” Example: House & Garden Procter and Gamble
_____________________________________________________________ Avoid using apostrophes in plurals. Example: CDs, URLs, APOSTROPHES FAQs, 1990s etc.
BULLETS
Maintain consistency in the type of bullets used; Capitalize the first bullet; Begin each bullet with a verb or an action word to efficiently convey your message; If you bullet contains a complete sentence, you should end it with a period, otherwise, avoid using periods; Follow same sentence structure for each bullet for consistency (use all complete or incomplete sentences); Use sub bullets to express an idea from the main bullet to keep themes organized in the reader’s mind.
CAPITALIZATION
Avoid all caps, except for emphasis. It gives the impression of YELLING.
COMMAS
In lists of three items or more, put a comma before and/or.
EXCLAMATIONS
Do not overuse!!!!!!
Example: He went to the store, post office, and dry cleaner. (not, “He went to the store, post office and dry cleaner.”)
HYPHENS
Make every effort not to hyphenate words. Add hard return if necessary to avoid. Never hyphenate Web site address.
NUMBERS
Spell out numbers one through nine, use numeral for 10 and above. Example: one, two, three (not 1,2,3) or 10, 11, 12 (not ten, eleven, twelve) Example: six-week series (not six week, or 6 week, or 6week)
PERIODS
One space after periods and at the end of sentences. Omit periods in bulleted lists for incomplete sentences. Appendix B - 7
SPIPA Communications Manual PUNCTUATION WITH The period and the comma always go inside the quotation QUOTES marks. The dash, the semicolon, the question mark and the
exclamation point go within the quotation marks when they apply to the quoted matter only. They go outside when they apply to the whole sentence.
WIDOWS/ ORPHANS
Eliminate. A widow is the last line or word in a paragraph printed by itself. An orphan is the first line or word of a paragraph printed by itself.
PROPER WORD USAGE TIPS AFFECT/EFFECT
Affect means to influence, effect means result.
ALLUDE/REFER
These two words are not interchangeable. Allude means to suggest or call attention to indirectly; hint at. Refer means to call attention to directly.
E.G., I.E.,
The phrase “e.g.” is short for “exempli gratia” a Latin phrase that means “for the sake of example.” It is used to introduce a short list of examples (one or two). The phrase “i.e.” is a Latin phrase that translates to English as “that is to say” or “in other words” Both e.g. and i.e. are lowercase when they show up in the middle of a sentence and have periods after both letters in the abbreviation. Only the first letters are capitalized when the phrase begins a sentence. Normally, a comma comes after the phrase. No need to italicize.
IMPLY/INFER
To imply is to suggest or indicate, although never to express. To infer is to conclude from evidence.
INSURE/ENSURE
Insure means to “provide insurance for” and is the only meaning for this word. Ensure means “to make clear or certain.”
IRREGARDLESS
Avoid this term. The correct term is “regardless.”
ITS/IT’S
Its is the possessive form of the pronoun “It.” “It’s” is a contraction of “it is.”
Appendix B - 8
SPIPA Communications Manual PROPER AT A GLANCE GENERAL a lot (not alot) backup cannot (vs. can not) CD or CDs email (not e-mail) FAQ or FAQs Flier HotSpot
information about (not information on) Internet online snail mail voicemail Web site Web address
THINGS TO REMEMBER One error can convey that the information or audience is not important or valued. Always have someone (preferably someone who is unfamiliar with the material) proofread your work before it becomes public. Do not rely on your computer’s spelling and grammar checkers. Use titles, headings and subtitles, but maintain consistency in style. Replace long blocks of text with easier-to-read bulleted lists. Break up text for important words by using bold, italics or underline. But don’t over do it. Less is more.
Appendix B - 9
SPIPA Communications Manual PROOFREADING & EDITING
Copy without proper proofreading and editing can potentially turn off readers. It’s important that each piece is reviewed by at least a member of the proofing team and/or an editor who adheres to the following practices. These team members (preferably who are unfamiliar with the material) will check and double-check even the most minor of details.
ACCURACY AUDIENCE
Cross-reference dates and days of the week with a calendar. Does the copy answer the most important question our audience asks: “What’s in it for me?” Leo Burnett, leading advertising executive of our generation, says, “Don’t tell me how good you make it. Tell me how good it makes me when I use it.”
__________________________________________________________________________________________ BASICS Does the copy include the necessary basics of: who, what, when, why and how (call to action)? Does the call to action include appropriate contact information (e.g., complete address, phone with extension, email, Web site addresses, etc.)?
CONSISTENCY
Look for consistency with punctuation, style and formatting throughout the piece. Compare with our Style Guide. Include review of capitalization, indents, type size, type face, leading, alignment, page breaks, hyphens, etc.
NAMES
Double check accuracy on names, phone numbers and extensions directly with the source or cross-reference with more than one proofer.
SPELLING
It’s critical. A single misspelling can convey the information or audience is not important or valued. Do not rely on your computer’s spelling and grammar checkers.
TERMINOLOGY
Step into the shoes of a new guest and consider what their reactions may be to certain phrases and the appearance of the piece. Do certain words sound “cliché” or “too implied?” If so, it is likely the message may not be understood by our audience.
TONE
Are we accurately representing the intended meaning? Question anything that may raise a red flag to you. It’s better to address the potential problem than to allow it to go unchecked. Don’t assume someone else will do it. Appendix B - 10
SPIPA Communications Manual
TIPS TO REMEMBER
Work from a printout, not the computer screen. Read out loud. You’ll hear problems you may not see when reading silently. Use a search function for the computer to find mistakes you’re likely to make. Search for “it,” for instance, for “its” and “it’s;” for opening parentheses or quote marks (people tend to leave out closing ones). End with a spelling check, using a computer spelling checker or reading backwards word by word. But remember that a spelling checker won’t catch mistakes with homonyms (e.g., “they’re,“ “ their,” “there”) or certain typos (like “he” for “the”).
Appendix B - 11