P
page numbers
Use figures and capitalize page when used with a figure. When a letter is appended to the figure, capitalize it but do not use a hyphen: Page 4, Page 44, Page 20A.
parentheses
See the entry in the punctuation section in The AP Stylebook.
part time vs. part-time
Apply the same rules as full time and full-time. In other words, hyphenate only when used as a compound modifier: She works at the restaurant part time. She has a part-time job.
percent
One word, no hyphen. Not per-cent. Always use figures with percents: 44 percent, 2 percent, etc.
possessives
See entry in The AP Stylebook.
potato
Definitely no e. Ditto with tomato. Plural: potatoes, tomatoes.
pre-
No hyphen unless the word that follows begins with a vowel or is a proper noun. Predental, prelegal, premedical.
President's Associates
Recognizes donors who make gifts and pledge payments of $1,000 or more during a fiscal year.
President's Scholars
Singular possessive; apostrophe before s.
press
Use only when referring specifically to the print medium. Otherwise, use news media (for both print and broadcast). In particular: news release.
principal vs. principle
Principal is a noun and adjective meaning someone or something first in authority, rank, importance or degree: She is the school principal. He was the principal player in the trade. Or a capital sum placed at interest, due as a debt or used as a fund. A portion of the annual income payment is a tax-free return of principal.
Principle is a noun that means a fundamental truth, law, doctrine or motivating force: They fought for the principle of self-determination.
pro bono
Two words, no italics.
pro rate
Two words, no italics.
professor
Never abbreviate and, as with other titles, capitalize only when it precedes a name: Professor of Journalism Tony Pederson praised the student for his excellent feature story, but Tony Pederson, professor of journalism, praised the student for his work.
However, capitalize the formal name of an endowed chair whether it is placed before or after the name: Harold W. Stanley, Geurin-Pettus Distinguished Chair in American Politics and Political Economy, gave the lecture.
professorship
program
Capitalize when referring to a named SMU program. The Embrey Human Rights Program is popular with students. The Program continues to grow.
Prothro Hall
Elizabeth Perkins Prothro Hall on first reference. Prothro Hall is acceptable on subsequent references.
Q
quotation marks
See the punctuation entry in The AP Stylebook.
R
racket
Not racquet, when referring to the piece of sports equipment used in tennis, squash, badminton, etc.
ratios
For clarity and consistency, use figures and hyphens: the ratio was 4-to-1, a ratio of 4-to-1, a 4-1 ratio. As shown, the word to should be omitted when the numbers precede the word ratio. Always use the word ratio or a phrase such as a 2-1 majority to avoid confusion with actual figures.
religious references
Capitalize the proper names of monotheistic deities: God, Allah, the Father, the Son, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Redeemer, the Holy Spirit, etc.
Lowercase, however, pronouns referring to the deity: he, him, his, thee, thou, who, whose, thy, etc.
Lowercase gods in referring to the deities of polytheistic religions, but capitalize the proper names of pagan gods and goddesses: Neptune, Thor, Venus, etc.
Lowercase such words and phrases as god-awful, godlike, godliness and godsend.
See the religious references entry in The AP Stylebook for more guidance on this topic.
religious titles
The first reference to a clergyman or clergywoman normally should include a capitalized title before the individual's name. In many cases, the Reverend is the designation that applies before a name on first reference.
Only use the Reverend Dr. if the individual has an earned doctoral degree and reference to the degree is relevant.
Residential Commons
résumé
Rio Grande
Because Rio means "river" in Spanish, Rio Grande stands alone. Don't use Rio Grande River.
ROTC
Acceptable for all references to the Reserve Officers' Training Corps, a nationwide program on many college campuses aimed at preparing young men and women to become officers in the U.S. armed services.
If reference to a specific service branch is necessary, use the following forms: Army ROTC or Air Force ROTC (no periods). Although SMU offers only the Army and Air Force versions (Air Force ROTC is offered through the University of North Texas, in conjunction with SMU), other colleges and universities also may offer Navy ROTC. (Navy ROTC includes those training for careers in both the Navy and the Marine Corps.) Do not use the abbreviations AROTC, AFROTC, or NROTC.