There are some core tenants we like to stick to in our writing style. When in doubt, start here and you will be in good shape.
- Use short words, short sentences, and short first paragraphs.
- Be positive, not negative.
- Use vigorous language and avoid writing in the passive voice.
- Avoid technical jargon. Speak plainly.
- Be inclusive. Inform and educate while explaining advanced concepts.
- Do not assume expert level knowledge from a reader, and never speak down to them.
- Eliminate superfluous words.
- Take care with the sequence of tenses.
- Do not split verbs. Do not split infinitives.
Text Styling
Oxford Comma
Always use the Oxford comma when listing three or more items. Example: Claim Climbers gives veterans the tools they need to be fast, efficient, and prepared when filing their claims. And here's why...
Apostrophes
Use an apostrophe only to show possession by Claim Climbers, and not to abbreviate "Claim Climbers is". The apostrophe should be used to show that Claim Climbers is a single entity, and not a plural of "Claim Climbers".
Bulleted and Ordered Lists
Punctuation and styling should be consistent during the use of bulleted or ordered lists. The first word should always be capitalized. When using a single sentence in listed items, do not use periods at the end of the sentence. If a list item uses multiple sentences, proper punctuation should be used.
Case
Proper titles for articles or citations should use title case. Headlines, primary brand communication, and other top-line content should use sentence case.
Hyphens
Do not hyphenate any text to break lines unless the word or phrase already contains a hyphen. Example: The phrase "post-traumatic" can be hyphenated across lines. Otherwise, paragraphs should not be hyphenated
Numbers
Numbers one through nine should be spelled out. Use numerals for 10 and above. Ordinals should be spelled out. Example: "First”, “Second”, not “1st”, “2nd”. Decimals are an exception to this rule, and should always use numerals. Example: 1.5, not “One point five”
Widows
Take care when setting type to never include lines containing a single word. Use hard returns or line breaks to avoid this situation. In rare circumstances like as large-format titles, it is acceptable to leave a widow word in order to create a balanced rag.
Compliance
There are also comlpliance guidelines we must adhere to in order to avoid confusion or miscommunication regarding the services we offer. When in doubt, contact our compliance department with your intended copy for approval. Our standard disclaimer is a good place to start when it comes to ensuring our communications are in compliance.
Claim Climbers LLC is not a Veterans Service Organization or law office and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department Of Veterans Affairs. Claim Climbers, LLC does not provide legal or medical advice or assist clients with preparing or filing claims for benefits with the VA. The VA is the only agency that can make a decision on whether or not a disability will be considered service connected.