• Furnish manuscripts in both laser printer "hard copy" and electronic form. The computer file must match the hard copy.
• Provide the electronic version on disk (floppy or Zip, Mac or PC format) or as an e-mail attachment.
• Do not provide copy directly into an e-mail message because it inserts hard line breaks and does not allow for smart quotes.
• Save documents in the latest Microsoft Word version or in "RTF" file format.
• Keep a backup disk – just in case!

Do's and Don'ts

• Do not provide copy in "layout form." Prepare hard copy and file as "straight text" in a single column with no added spaces, indents, or graphics.
• Do not use all capital letters, center type, or change typestyle or point size in your manuscript. If you want sentences or words to be treated specially, note them by marking the hard copy.
• Define margins to set your line width. Do not use the margin ruler because this cannot by overridden be layout software.
• Do not use tabs or spaces for paragraph indents. Use the margin ruler to set paragraph indents.
• Do not put more than one return between paragraphs.
• Use only one space at the end of a sentence.
• Charts and material in columns should be entered with a tab set to each column required. In tabular material, use one tab between columns and one return at the end. Do not enter multiple tabs or spaces to advance to a desired column position.

Other Considerations

• Discuss options before submitting any copy in a spreadsheet such as Excel.
• Discuss use of style sheets and manuscript organization with your team members.
• Discuss options before submitting copy with italics and boldface defined.