Addresses | Writing Style Guide - Western Michigan University

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Office of Marketing and Strategic CommunicationsWestern Michigan UniversityKalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA(269) 387-8400

Addresses

The following applies to addresses in the United States. Addresses in other countries should be presented in a style consistent with the postal requirements of that country. The correct way to present U.S. addresses is not determined by the style guides of Western Michigan University or the Associated Press, but by the requirements and preferences of the U.S. Postal Service.

Use the standard U.S. Postal Service abbreviations below for addresses, whether used in text or block address form.

As a general guide, the inclusion of a ZIP code makes it an address; the omission of a ZIP code makes it a location. (See also state abbreviations.)

Locations (no ZIP code present)

Associated Press Style is used for the listing of locations. Use the abbreviations Ave., Blvd. and St. with a numbered location: 2210 Wilbur Ave. Spell them out and capitalize when part of a formal street name without a number: Wilbur Avenue. All similar words—alley, drive, road, terrace—are always spelled out. Abbreviate compass points used to indicate directional ends of a street or quadrants of a city in a numbered address: 1903 W. Michigan Ave. Do not abbreviate if the number is omitted: West Michigan Avenue. Do not use periods in quadrant abbreviations—NW, SE: 2333 E. Beltline Ave. SE.

Paul and Mary Moore reside on East Main Street in Portage, Mich.Paul and Mary Moore reside at 1234 E. Main St. in Portage, Mich.The Graduate Center is located on East Beltline Avenue Southeast in Grand Rapids, Mich.The Graduate Center is located at 2333 E. Beltline Ave. SE in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Always use figures for an address number. Spell out and capitalize First through Ninth when used as street names; use figures for 10th and above.

7 Fifth Ave.100 21st St.

Addresses (ZIP code present)

USPS format is used for the listing of addresses. USPS abbreviations are used for both the street address and state, and there is no punctuation in the lines for the street address or city, state and ZIP code.

Write to Paul and Mary Moore, 1313 E Main St, Portage MI 49024-2001.

Paul and Mary Moore1313 E Main StPortage MI 49024-2001

University addresses and locations

Addresses for the Kalamazoo campuses of WMU should be presented as shown below. Always include the correct four-digit ZIP code extension (Mail Stop) for the department or office.

Mailing address:Name of individual, Title (optional)Name of college, department or officeWestern Michigan University1903 W Michigan AveKalamazoo MI 49008-XXXX USA

Western Michigan University is globally engaged. Always include USA.

Locations at WMU should be presented in the following format.

Location:3010 Seibert Administration Building, Mail Stop 5202

Common USPS-approved abbreviations

Apartment - AptAvenue - AveBoulevard - BlvdBuilding - BldgCenter(s) - CtrCircle(s) - CirCourt - CtDrive - DrEast- EExpressway - ExpyExtension - ExtFort - FtFreeway - FwyHeight(s) - HtsHighway - HwyIsland - IsJunction - JctLane - LnMount(ain) - MtNorth - NNortheast - NENorthwest - NWParkway PkyPlace - PlPost Office - PORoad - RdRural Delivery - RDRural Route - RRSaint - StSouth - SSoutheast - SESouthwest - SWSpring - SpgSprings - SpgsSquare(s) - SqStreet - StSuite - SteTerrace - TerTurnpike - TpkeWest - W