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Revised style guide to help communication consistency

Do you know how to make a phone call to District 1 on the state’s microwave system? Have you ever wondered how to properly format a multi-page letter on ITD letterhead? Would you like some helpful hints in dealing with e-mail? If so, you will want to get a copy of the new ITD Style and Communications Guide.

The guide contains useful information about writing, correspondence, memos, mail handling, telephone use, e-mail, the Suspense Action Log, and much more. Employees can order a handy 7-inch by 9-inch spiral bound guide (catalog no. 250400000) from the ITD warehouse to keep at their desk for easy reference.

The publication also is available for downloading or viewing from ITD’s Intranet site. From the menu that appears on the left side of the main Intranet page, click on the “References” button and select the Style and Communications Guide menu option. The online version has a time-saving search feature on the front page that allows quick searches for a word or phrase.

The Style and Communications Guide is divided into seven major sections:

Telephone
E-mail
Writing
Correspondence and Memos
Mail
Suspense Action Log, and
Manuals, Publications and Forms

It also provides a detailed list how to respond to e-mail messages and nearly 20 e-mail practices that are not permitted by ITD.

The section on correspondence and memos outlines the use of ITD’s official letterhead, how letters should be addressed and signed, formatting letters, and guidelines on how to format and write memorandums.

The new ITD Style and Communications Guide replaces the 2003 Communications Handbook, and features significant updates to many sections, plus it has a more user-friendly format. It was revised and published by the Office of Communications.