Download - Cancer Care Nova Scotia

Maintain average sentence length of 10 words or less.
Limit paragraphs to 4 or 5 sentences.
List information whenever possible, focus on the “need to know” rather than the
“nice to know” information.
Emphasize important information.
When using abbreviations and acronyms give them first and spell the word in
parentheses; e.g., after your surgery you may stay in ICU (Intensive Care Unit).
Be consistent with word use. Choose the most familiar words and use them
throughout. For example, Vincristine and Oncovin may be the same thing to you,
but your reader may think they are two different drugs.
Use analogies familiar to your audience. Say: Feel for lumps the size of a pea.
Instead of: Feel for lumps about 5 to 6 mm in diameter.
Instead of using statistics, use general words like most, many, or half. If you must
use statistics, try putting them in parentheses.
Illustrations
Consult with the graphic designer in the Audio Visual Department regarding
illustrations. Limited clip art is available from the designer.
Use illustrations that are copyright free or obtain written permission to use from
owner. Submit copyright permission with draft of text to CCNS.
Use simple line drawings.
Use adult rather than child-like images.
When using line drawings of anatomy, include body landmarks.
Ensure that illustrations are up-to-date.
Illustrations, continued
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