Writing for communication channels
MnDOT public affairs coordinators and project consultants are required to use Associated Press Style for ALL news releases, as well as Gov Delivery email updates and website content. However, there will be a few exceptions for email updates, website content and other communications materials, as noted below.
| News Release | Gov Delivery, website, other materials (e.g., factsheets, brochures, postcards, etc…) | Tweet |
|---|---|---|
| Interstate 94 on first reference; use I-94 for all subsequent references | I-94 | I94 |
| Highway 62 | Hwy 62 | Hwy 62 |
| County Road B | Co. Rd. B | Co Rd B |
| Dale Street | Dale St. | Dale St |
| St. Clair Avenue | St. Clair Ave. | St Clair Ave |
| Dodd Road | Dodd Rd. | Dodd Rd |
| Lexington Parkway | Lexington Pkwy. | Lexington Pkwy |
| Kellogg Boulevard | Kellogg Blvd. | Kellogg Blvd |
| Northbound, Southbound, Eastbound, Westbound (spell out) | Northbound, Southbound, Eastbound, Westbound (spell out) | Northbound, Southbound, Eastbound, Westbound (always spell out if room allows. Never use “I-94 East”) |
| News Release | Gov Delivery, website, other materials (e.g., factsheets, brochures, postcards, etc…) | Tweet |
|---|---|---|
| Snelling Avenue/Highway 51 on first reference; use the most common name for all subsequent references (e.g., use Snelling Avenue in St. Paul, Highway 51 in Arden Hills) | Snelling Ave./Hwy 51 on first reference; use whatever the most common name for all subsequent references | Snelling Ave |
| News Release | Gov Delivery, website, other materials (e.g., factsheets, brochures, postcards, etc…) | Tweet |
|---|---|---|
| St. Paul | St. Paul | St Paul |
| Minneapolis | Minneapolis | Mpls |
| City with direction in name (e.g., West St. Paul) | West St. Paul | W St Paul |
| Cities with Heights in name (e.g., Mendota Heights) | Mendota Heights | Mendota Hts |
| Cities with Grove in name (e.g., Inver Grove Heights) | Inver Grove Heights | Inver Grv Hts |
| Cities with Park in the name (e.g., Brooklyn Park) | Brooklyn Park | Brooklyn Pk |
| Cities with Lake in the name (e.g., Spring Lake Park) | Spring Lake Park | Spring Lk Pk |
| Cities with Rapids in the name (e.g., Coon Rapids) | Coon Rapids | Coon Rpds |
| Cities with Valley in the name (e.g., Golden Valley) | Golden Valley | Golden Vly |
| Cities with Hills in the name (e.g., Arden Hills) | Arden Hills | Arden Hls |
| Cities with Center in the name (e.g., Brooklyn Center) | Brooklyn Center | Brooklyn Ctr |
| Cities/places with Fort in the name (e.g., Fort Snelling) | Fort Snelling | Ft Snelling |
| News Release | Gov Delivery, website, other materials (e.g., factsheets, brochures, postcards, etc…) | Tweet |
|---|---|---|
| 432 Dale St., St. Paul | 432 Dale St., St. Paul | 432 Dale St, St Paul |
| News Release | Gov Delivery, website, other materials (e.g., factsheets, brochures, postcards, etc…) | Tweet |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Mon | Mon |
| Tuesday | Tue | Tue |
| Wednesday | Wed | Wed |
| Thursday | Thu | Thu |
| Friday | Fri | Fri |
| Saturday | Sat | Sat |
| Sunday | Sun | Sun |
| News Release | Gov Delivery, website, other materials (e.g., factsheets, brochures, postcards, etc…) | Tweet |
|---|---|---|
| January | January | Jan |
| February | February | Feb |
| March | March | Mar |
| April | April | Apr |
| May | May | May |
| June | June | Jun |
| July | July | Jul |
| August | August | Aug |
| September | September | Sep |
| October | October | Oct |
| November | November | Nov |
| December | December | Dec |
| News Release | Gov Delivery, website, other materials (e.g., factsheets, brochures, postcards, etc…) | Tweet |
|---|---|---|
| 7 a.m. | 7 a.m. | 7am |
| 6 p.m. | 6 p.m. | 6pm |
| News Release | Gov Delivery, website, other materials (e.g., factsheets, brochures, postcards, etc…) | Tweet |
|---|---|---|
| Oct. 21 | Oct. 21 | (10/21) |
| Sunday, Oct. 21 | Sun, Oct. 21 | Sun (10/21) |
| 7 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 21 | 7 a.m. Sun, Oct. 21 | 7am Sun (10/21) |
| 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21 | 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sun, Oct. 21 | 7am-6pm Sun (10/21) |
| 7 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 21 to 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 22 | 7 a.m. Sun, Oct. 21 to 6 p.m. Mon, Oct. 22 | 7am Sun (10/21) to 6pm Mon (10/22) Do not use “today” or “tomorrow” without including a date … [e.g., ramp closing at 7am tomorrow (10/21)] |
| News Release | Gov Delivery, website, other materials (e.g., factsheets, brochures, postcards, etc…) | Tweet |
|---|---|---|
| Use “mndot.gov/” instead of “dot.state.mn.us/” Do not include “www” at beginning of URL |
Use “mndot.gov/” instead of “dot.state.mn.us/” Do not include “www” at beginning of URL |
Use “mndot.gov/” instead of “dot.state.mn.us/” Do not include “www” at beginning of URL |
| News Release | Gov Delivery, website, other materials (e.g., factsheets, brochures, postcards, etc…) | Tweet |
|---|---|---|
| Between | Between | Between Do not use “btwn” |
| Through | Through | Through Do not use “thru” |