How to use this guide

The NASA Glenn Content Guide is designed to help web content writers create information that’s easy to understand, find, and access.

Sometimes government websites talk at readers rather than to or with them, which may convey an unfriendly or distant tone. Or the website is written in “governmentese,” leaving a reader frustrated or not knowing where they can find more information. As a writer, have you ever wondered, “Do I capitalize that word?” or “How do I write in the active voice?” or similar questions? This guide takes these things into account and also references other styleguides and best practices for you to explore.

Also, using this guide can help you to write in a consistent manner so that although different topics are discussed and probably written by different authors, NASA’s external websites will appear seamless to your readers.

Many resources were used to prepare this guide and special thanks are given to 18F for their contributions. 18F is a digital service agency that supports Federal agencies in improving the way they deliver digital services and products.

How this guide is structured

The table of contents is organized by topic sections, or you can search by keyword. We aren’t opposed if you’d like to read this guide from start to finish, of course.

If you have a suggestion or would like to share a comment about this guide, please contact us.

If you work at another federal agency

As a work of the federal government, the NASA Glenn Content Guide is in the public domain within the United States. Additionally, we waive copyright and related rights in the work worldwide through the CC0 1.0 Universal public domain dedication.

If you do not work at NASA

Some links to NASA websites within this document may not be accessible to other federal agencies or the public.