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Nala Center Style Guide

A Comprehensive Framework for Clear, Consistent, and Credible Policy Writing.

Introduction

Welcome to the Nala Center's official Writing Style Guide. Our mission is to produce insightful, evidence-based research that informs policy, shapes public discourse, and drives sustainable progress across Africa. Our writing is the primary vehicle for our impact, translating complex research into clear, compelling narratives that resonate with decision-makers and the public.

Adherence to these standards strengthens the Nala Center's brand and solidifies our reputation as an authoritative, trusted, and indispensable voice in policy and development.

Who We Are Writing For

Our primary audience consists of policymakers, civil servants, academics, journalists, business leaders, and civil society organizations. The goal is to empower every reader with knowledge.

Part 1: The Nala Center Voice & Tone

Our voice reflects our core values. It should always be:

Authoritative & Evidence-Based

  • Do: State findings directly. Use strong, active verbs.
  • Don't: Use weak or hedging language.

Accessible & Clear

  • Do: Define technical terms upon first use. Use analogies.
  • Don't: Use jargon or buzzwords without explanation.

Objective & Non-Partisan

  • Do: Present findings in a balanced, neutral tone. Attribute opinions clearly.
  • Don't: Use emotive or politically charged language.

Constructive & Forward-Looking

  • Do: Empower readers with actionable recommendations.
  • Don't: Dwell excessively on problems without solutions.

Respectful & Context-Aware

  • Do: Use specific, people-first language. Acknowledge Africa’s diversity.
  • Don't: Use homogenizing terms like "sub-Saharan Africa" without explanation.

Part 2: Structure and Argumentation

A well-structured document guides the reader through a logical and persuasive argument.

The Anatomy of a Nala Center Publication

  • Executive Summary: No more than one page summarizing the core research question, key findings, and recommendations.
  • Introduction: State the problem, outline methodology, and provide a clear thesis statement.
  • Body Paragraphs (The PEEL Method): Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link.
  • Conclusion & Recommendations: Recommendations must be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound).

Part 3: Grammar, Punctuation, and Mechanics

Abbreviations and Acronyms

  • Spell out an acronym on its first appearance, followed by the acronym in parentheses.
  • Avoid using acronyms if the term appears fewer than three times (Exception: UN, AU, GDP).

Capitalization

  • Titles: Capitalize formal titles when they precede a name (e.g., President William Ruto). Do not capitalize when they follow a name or stand alone.
  • Institutions: Capitalize the full, formal names (e.g., the World Bank, the Paris Agreement).
  • Regions: Capitalize recognized geopolitical regions (e.g., East Africa, the Sahel) but not general directions (e.g., northern Ghana).

Numbers and Dates

  • Numbers: Spell out numbers one through nine. Use numerals for 10 and above. (Exception: Always use numerals for percentages, data points, and measurements). Use a comma for numbers with four or more digits (e.g., 1,500).
  • Dates: Use the format Month Day, Year (e.g., September 2, 2025). Do not use ordinals (e.g., "September 2nd").
  • Currencies: On first mention, specify the currency using ISO codes (e.g., USD, KES, NGN).

Punctuation

  • Serial (Oxford) Comma: Always use the serial comma in a list of three or more items.
  • Dashes: Em Dash (—) for breaks; En Dash (–) for ranges (e.g., 2023–2025).
  • Hyphens: Use for compound adjectives before a noun (e.g., "a long-term strategy").

Spelling & Word Choice

  • Our primary dictionary is the Oxford English Dictionary. Use the "-ise" spelling (e.g., "organise,""analyse").
  • Nala Center is always two words with "Center," not "Centre."

Part 4 & 5: Sourcing, Citations, and Digital Platforms

Sourcing and Citations

Standard Style

  • The Nala Center uses the Chicago Manual of Style, 17th Edition (Author-Date) format.
  • In-text Citation Example: (Acemoglu and Robinson 2012).
  • Hyperlinks in Digital Content: For web articles and blogs, prioritize hyperlinking directly to the source material.
  • Figures and Tables: Must be numbered sequentially (Figure 1, Table 1) and include a descriptive title and a "Source:" line below.

Writing for Digital Platforms

  • Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Include relevant keywords naturally in your title, headings, and introductory paragraph.
  • Be Scannable: Use bold text for emphasis, short paragraphs, headings, and bullet points.
  • Social Media: Maintain a professional and analytical tone on LinkedIn; be concise and impactful on X (formerly Twitter).
  • Accessibility: For all images published online, provide descriptive alternative text ("alt text").

Part 6: Publication and Review Process

All Nala Center publications undergo a rigorous review process to ensure quality and accuracy:

  1. First Draft: Author completes the draft according to this style guide.
  2. Internal Peer Review: At least one Nala Center colleague reviews the draft for substance and methodology.
  3. External Peer Review (for major reports): An external expert reviews the draft to validate findings and rigor.
  4. Editorial Review: Communications team reviews grammar, style, formatting, and clarity.
  5. Final Author Review & Approval: The author approves the final edited version.
  6. Publication & Promotion: The piece is published and promoted by the communications team.

This is a living document, subject to updates as language and conventions evolve. We encourage feedback to ensure it remains a relevant and useful tool for our entire team.