STTI style guide highlights
The Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International: When writing the name of the
organization use “STTI” as a second reference, or “the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International”
if it clearly refers to the international organization and not its chapters.
First reference: The Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) is dedicated to
improving the health of people worldwide.
Second reference: STTI believes in broadening the base of nursing knowledge globally.
Using “honor society”: The use of “honor society” is acceptable to avoid repeating “STTI” in a sentence.
Example: To learn more about STTI, you can visit the honor society’s Web site at www.nursingsociety.org.
Chapters: The word “chapter” is ordinarily not capitalized when it is used as a common noun and not a title.
Capitalize “chapter” when used as a formal name. When using the Greek title of a chapter, include the location of
the chapter in the first reference. A second reference would not need to include the geographic location and could
either use the Greek title or an academic institutional reference. When using a series of Greek chapters, general
locations may be easier on a second reference.
First reference: Epsilon Omicron Chapter at Harding University in Searcy, Ark., won the Honor Society of
Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International Founder’s Award in 1993.
Second reference: Epsilon Omicron received its charter in 1982.
General reference: The chapter currently has 103 active members.
Series reference: Four Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International chapters in California are
sponsoring a research conference: Gamma Alpha at Loma Linda University; Xi Theta at California State
University Dominguez Hills; Nu Psi at San Francisco State University; and Nu Xi-at-Large of California State
University Hayward, Holy Names College and Samuel Merritt College.
at-Large Chapter: When referring to a chapter’s formal name, hyphens are needed, and the term “at large”
should be written as follows:
Example: Iota Iota-at-Large Chapter
When using the term “at large” as a compound modifier preceding the noun chapter, “at large” would be lower
case and hyphenated.
Example: All at-large chapters must submit annual reports.
To save space in certain printed materials, the formal name would be as acceptable with the word “chapter”
removed.
Example: Iota Iota-at-Large
Board of directors: When referring to a chapter board member, use the full name of the chapter with the word
“Director” before the proper name. After a proper name, capitalize the chapter name and lowercase the words
“board member.” Do not use the phrases “chapter board of directors” or “chapter board member” for a proper
name.
Example: Epsilon Omicron Director Jane Jones, RN, attended the event.
Example: Jane Jones, RN, MSN, board member, attended the event.
When referring to an international board member, use the full name “Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau
International Director” before the proper name of the person. After the proper name of a person, capitalize the
organization title, “Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International,” and lowercase the words “board
member.”
Example: Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International Director Clarann Weinert, SC, RN, PhD,
FAAN, attended the event.
First reference after a name: Clarann Weinert, SC, RN, PhD, FAAN, Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma
Theta Tau International board member, attended the event.
Second reference after a name: Weinert, board member, attended the event.
When referring to an elected officer or committee and the name is used, capitalize the name of the office or
committee.
Example with name of officer: President Huston’s presidential charge was presented at the last
convention.
Example without name of officer: The president will be speaking at several sessions of this year’s
convention.
Example with full committee name: The Governance Committee’s work is invaluable to the honor
society’s mission.
Example without full committee name: The committee’s work is invaluable to the honor society’s
mission.
Committee chairpersons: Capitalize committee chairperson titles before a proper name and lowercase
following a proper name. The preferred format is chairwoman or chairman if the gender is known and chairperson
if the gender is not known. Do not use “chair” by itself.
First reference before proper name: Regional Chapters Coordinating Committee Chairwoman K. Sue
Haddock, RN, PhD, will convene a conference.
First reference after proper name: K. Sue Haddock, RN, PhD, Regional Chapters Coordinating
Committee chairwoman, will convene a conference.
Second reference: The chairwoman summarized the outcomes of the election.
Formal Titles: In general only capitalize formal titles used directly before an individual’s name. Lowercase and
spell out titles when they are not used with an individual’s name.
Example: The president is speaking tomorrow.
Lowercase and spell out titles when they are set off from a name by commas.
Example: The president, Carol J. Huston, gave a speech.
Capitalize formal titles when they are used immediately before one or more names.
Example: Chief Executive Officer Pat Thompson
Do not hyphenate vice president with any usage. Always hyphenate president-elect. When used directly before an
individual’s name, capitalize both the “v” and “p” of vice president, but only the “p” in president-elect. Lowercase
when they are not used with an individual’s name.
Example: President-elect Karen Morin
Example following a name: Karen Morin, president-elect, is speaking today.
Other titles serve as occupational descriptions and do not need to be capitalized.
Example: movie star Tom Cruise
Additional guidelines:
 A formal title that an individual formerly held, is about to hold, or holds temporarily is capitalized if used
before the person’s name. Do not capitalize the qualifying word.
Example: former President May L. Wykle

Separate a long title from a name with a comma.
Example: Charles Robinson, undersecretary for economic affairs, spoke today.
Academic Titles: In general, do not capitalize titles after a proper name.
Example: Karen Morin, RN, DSN, is a professor at Western Michigan University Bronson School of Nursing.
Capitalize and spell out formal titles such as “professor,” “chancellor,” “chairman,” etc. when they precede a name.
Lowercase elsewhere.
Lowercase modifiers in titles.
Example: history Professor Oscar Handlin
Academic Degrees and Credentials
At the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International, the credential “RN” is always listed first and
before any academic degrees or certifications. Credentials are listed in the following order: licensure (RN, etc.),
highest academic degree, certification, meritorious distinctions.
Example: Mary Smith, RN, PhD, CNA, FAAN, will speak today at a luncheon. The exception is “SC,” for
Sister of Charity. Religious orders are listed before academic, meritorious and certification titles. They are also
included even when other credentials are not listed.
When mentioning an individual’s credentials, the preferred form is to use the highest degree, or the most
pertinent degrees, in a written phrase instead of with acronyms.
Example: Jane Smith has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Indiana University, a Master of Science in
Nursing from Catholic University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Education from the University of Virginia.
Additional guidelines:
• Use an apostrophe in “bachelor’s” and “master’s” degrees.
•
Credentials are not used when the term “Dr.” precedes a name.
•
Periods should not be used with credentials; use only one space after the comma between the credentials.
Example: John Jones, RN, MSN, PhD
•
When used after a name, credentials are set off by commas:
Example: Joe Smith, PhD, spoke today.
•
Credentials may only be used after they have been officially conferred. A person who is a candidate for a
doctorate, master’s degree or bachelor’s degree may not use the credentials even when the term is qualified
with the word “candidate” or (c).
•
Some Canadians list their degrees with a (c) after it — for example, PhD(c). To avoid confusing this person as
a candidate, place (Canadian) after the credential instead.
Example: Jane Smith, PhD (Canadian), is presenting at the seminar.
•
Certifications indicate that an individual has a level of expertise and has passed a board examination in a
specialized field. Peer experts oversee and develop the examination and credentialing process. Certifications
are listed last and follow the highest academic degree.
Example: Frances Write, RN, PhD, CS, will discuss family health at a workshop at the Metropolitan Health
Clinic on Friday.
THE HONOR SOCIETY OF NURSING, SIGMA THETA TAU INTERNATIONAL LOGO:
A minimum amount of clear space always must appear around the trademark. Clear space helps the trademark
stand out in any application. Typography or graphics of any kind that intrude on this clear space will diminish the
impact of the Sigma Theta Tau name on the viewer.
As shown in the diagrams below, an area of clear space around the trademark and symbol is designated within
which no other type or graphic device or the edge of a page may encroach. This measurement will change in
proportion to the size of the trademark. The distances will be equal above, to the left and right edges of the
trademark or symbol.
Below, 1 ⁄4 x is added. Wherever possible, these spaces should be increased. Note: x=1 ⁄2 the diameter of the
symbol.
Note: STTI’s logo should always include the registration mark ®.