Editorial guidelines - news on the webGeneral approach.......................................................................................................2

Guidelines in summary (template).............................................................................3

Annex I - Basic writing process.................................................................................3

Annex II - Basic dos and don’ts.................................................................................3

Annex III – Captions, headlines and links.................................................................3

Annex IV – Style conventions...................................................................................3

Annex V – Vocabulary...............................................................................................3

General approach

Leading story (all character figures include spaces)

Picture 160 x 107 pixels

Picture caption ± 120ch (± 15 words in EN) - keep as concise as possible

Html <title> tag 70ch max (8 -10 words in EN)

Headline (H1 in body text) 60ch max (8 words in EN – ideally 4)

Abstract ± 240ch (30 words in EN – ideally 20, or 160ch)

Sentences 120-160ch (15-20 words in EN)

Paragraphs 320-560ch (40-70 words in EN)

Text 2 150ch (350 words in EN)

News coverage

The stories will cover a broad range of EU-related topics in short, readable articles. The reader will immediately get an overview of the latest developments in the EU (policies, events, activities). A presentation of "light news" - for example, participation of schools in the Spring Day initiative - should be as important and interesting as a report on the results of a Spring Council. The idea is to underline the benefits of EU projects and legislation for Europe and its people – expressed from their perspective (see Annex II - EU-centric) and in language they understand (see Annex V - Jargon).

Interviews

It can be anyone from the local artists (e.g. film maker who got a support from EU programme), students benefiting from Erasmus, local (municipal) politicians, who are responsible for the structural funds, researchers participating in EU schemes or nationals of your country working for the EU. Interview celebrities about their opinion on the EU and put the interviews on your website (both as audio and written files) or invite interesting people for internet chats.

Update

Where a leading story evolves, this should be covered in a short update of ~150 words.

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Guidelines in summary (template)

* for fuller instructions, see the Annexes.

Category Refer to document NEWS_CommHP_Categories_22l.xls

Sub-category Refer to document NEWS_CommHP_Categories_22l.xls

IPG classification (to be found here)

Enter the figure only

Html <title> tag

(NOT displayed in the web page)

Mainly aimed at search engine robots, so must use keywords

Vital for pulling in readers through search engines – needs to be plain and factual and packed with the article's keyword phrases (natural language entered by people in search engines, not EU jargon or false friends). Avoid possibly cryptic wordplay etc., which is better employed in headlines to interest human readers.

Place most important keyword phrase as close as possible to the beginning, for readers scanning search engine hitlists.

Meaningful and relevant - make sure your page title reflects the content and makes sense in isolation i.e. out of context - it will appear in many key places as stand-alone text (see below) and often be used by external sites as a link to reference your site.

Short - make every word count - to fit into search engine hitlists, Favourites, browser title bars etc. without being truncated. Limit filler words – use telegraphic headline style.

Description (summary of article in 1 sentence)

Appears under html title in some search engine hitlists, to give more information on the page

Lead with key idea, not the EU's perspective or details like dates.

Limit filler words – use telegraphic headline style.

Do not use the same text as the abstract.

Use keyword phrases from the article.

Keywords (max. 48 characters per keyword)

Meta keywords are ignored by most search engines these days, which instead index keywords used in body text

The 4 keywords from the article that users are likely to type in a search engine.

Photo (min. 240x160 pxl) (check copyright) (please do not include picture in template, but send as mail

Should be illustrative

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attachment or link) Use real life photos for illustrating your stories.

Caption (only if relevant – no caption for thematic pictures)

Not relevant for search engines, just make them attractive for human readers, like headlines

Don't state the obvious

Use to add an extra layer of (new) information to the article

Answer questions readers might have about the photo

Flesh out the context for the moment captured in the picture

Don't overlap with or contradict the headline or the article

Don’t repeat exact wording from the article or headline

Alternative text (max. 99 characters)

Provides a text alternative to the image if it fails to load or for visually impaired readers

Add relevant information to pictures: who, where, what?

When thematic pictures are used, describe the picture.

Use the article's keyword phrases.

Headline (max. 60 char. with spaces)

(H1 header, displayed in the body text of the web page)

Mainly aimed at human readers, so must be interesting

Headlines are what first attract readers browsing on the HP, so they deserve time and thought. Sometimes easier to write after you’ve finished the article.

Make the headline fit the picture it's next to but not clash with it

Be interesting - to attract the attention of scanning readers

Express the issues from the readers' perspective.

Make sure the header matches the tone of the article

Lead with key idea, not the EU's perspective or details like dates.

Limit filler words – use telegraphic headline style.

Use a strong, short, action verb

Aim for a conversational style

Abstract (20-30 words)

Like an extra headline, briefly expanding on the main one – not summarising the whole article

Keep it short so readers can get that extra information quickly.

Avoid narrative style, prefer telegraphic headline style.

Be careful with tenses: as the article will go online on different days in the different language versions, try to keep it as neutral as possible.

The abstract should not contain embedded links.

Content (max. 350 words or 2150 char. (abstract included) with spaces)

StructurePut important information/keyword phrases as early as possible in each paragraph, to help scanning readers.

Keep paragraphs short (easier navigation for readers).

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Should not be reproductions of press releases – they should speak to the everyday reader in an attractive way. Try to diversify your sources.

QuotesNo more than one per article. Maximum two sentences. Only use when relevant and directly related to the topic. If the original quote is not in perfect English, paraphrase it or cut out irrelevant words using […].

LinksWhere possible, the words used for links should be keyword phrases (informative links improve search-engine rankings).

The link text should indicate clearly what type of content they lead to.

An ideal length is 3 to 5 words.

Links to commissioner’s or DG’s websites should be added only if the site contains relevant information on the topic. Put the link on the function, not the name.

Style

Avoid jargon – use natural language

Express things from readers' perspective

Use mostly short sentences with a simple structure

Highlight key concepts by bolding them

Cut words where possible

Be specific not abstract e.g. jobs not employment

Use an attractive writing style

More on this subject(links to related articles published previously on the HP)

Indicate the url only, e.g. http://www.ec.europa.eu/news/external_relations/070410_1_en.htm

Multimedia links(links to video or audio files, include a title and if possible length or weight)

This section should contain links to video, audio or other multimedia files like flash animations. As links under this section will be displayed prominently on the HP, it can also exceptionally contain a link to a key website instead of multimedia links. When the subject is linked to topics discussed in one of the forums on Debate Europe, add a link to the site.

Limit these to one or two. Call them simply "video" rather than "infoclip" or other possibly confusing neologisms.

Translation references

This section should contain web links to all the documents that you have used when drafting your article to facilitate the work of translators.

NB. Text in red not to be translated

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Annex I - Basic writing process

Present the most important element first, tapering off to end with the least important. Ask yourself the following questions: Why are you writing the article now? Why is it relevant? It is worth spending some time to draft the first sentence in an article or report. This process will help you gather and order your thoughts. Clear thinking is the key to clear writing. You should also make sure you write for your readers and not your sources. Don’t show off. Never write anything you are not sure of or cannot check. “When in doubt, throw it out.” Steer clear of opinion – if you use the word “amazing” you must be able to show or indicate WHO says so. It’s our job to put forward the facts, NOT to comment on them.

Introduction

The introduction is your chance to grab your reader’s attention so that they read the story. The introduction should make sense instantly to your reader. Often it should say how the story will affect them, what it means in practice.

Don’t systematically start with questions or with things that need to be explained

Don’t start with things that slow the sentence – subordinate clauses, participles, parentheses, long, difficult, foreign words

Do start with a crisp sentence in clear English that tells the whole story vividly – if you’re not sure how to do this check out the bbc.co.uk news just to get your eye in.

Avoid subordinate clauses

Commission finalises rural development budget allocations

Following the decision of the European Council in December 2005 on the financial perspectives, the Commission has published the rural development budget for the 25 Member States for 2007-2013. These funds will go towards increasing the competitiveness of the farming and forestry sectors, supporting environmental programmes, as well as creating new jobs and businesses in rural areas.

Good examples

€500m help for those made jobless by globalisation

Help is on the way for workers made redundant as a result of trade liberalisation. The European globalisation adjustment fund (EGF) will pay out up to €500m a year in financial support to help people find new jobs.

Dial 112 for emergencies - anywhere in Europe

With more of us travelling around Europe every year, it's reassuring to know that one phone number covers all emergencies in every country. Every second counts in an emergency – whether it's a stroke, car crash or knife attack – the sooner help arrives, the better.

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Form and presentation

Be factual

Simplicity sells

Be authoritative and balanced

Do not overload with details

Know your target readership

To keep the reader’s attention

Try to write as you would speak

Use everyday words

Avoid euphemisms

Avoid arrogance

Avoid superlatives

Only use important/crucial/key when you say why and to whom

Be careful when using adjectives that are other than factual. “Big” is fine, “wonderful” is not - unless you can ascribe the quote. Ask yourself “Says who?”

News is all about answering questions – the reader’s. The best guide to developing a news story is to keep asking yourself: what does the reader need or want to know now?

Don’t be EU-centric - this has 2 main aspects: prioritise the readers’ perspective/aspects that interest them, rather than our,

central and technocratic perspective - this is much more likely to engage them:

e.g. “Five researchers honoured by Commission” is better than “Commission honours five researchers” - readers want to know who gets the award (i.e. the news), not the body that gives it.

"mobility of labour" – means more to readers if somehow expresses the idea of it being "easier to live and work in different (EU) countries"

“plenary session” – do readers care whether something is decided in a plenary session or not, or even know what that is? Better left out.

“The Marie Curie Actions” – who is behind these? We know, but most people don’t. Better to identify who's behind it, e.g. "The EU’s Marie Curie scheme”

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Good examples

€500m help for those made jobless by globalisation

Help is on the way for workers made redundant as a result of trade liberalisation. The European globalisation adjustment fund (EGF) will pay out up to €500m a year in financial support to help people find new jobs.

Dial 112 for emergencies - anywhere in Europe

With more of us travelling around Europe every year, it's reassuring to know that one phone number covers all emergencies in every country. Every second counts in an emergency – whether it's a stroke, car crash or knife attack – the sooner help arrives, the better.

(also no need to repeat the awkward official title).

don’t assume the general public know everything we take for granted as “Brussels insiders” – mainly this means avoiding jargon (see Annex V -Jargon for examples and alternatives), but also spelling out concepts in more detail. This is not dumbing down but rather sensibly ensuring that we don't overestimate readers' knowledge. It can even take the form of making implied information more explicit, such as "bodies that regulate X sector" rather than "regulatory bodies for X sector".

Write with your ears

The simplest test of writing is certainly to read it out loud, especially troublesome passages, to get a feel for pace and rhythm etc. You’ll know immediately if sentences are too long: you won’t have the puff to finish. You should be able to hear repetitions and clumsy constructions too.

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Annex II - Basic dos and don’ts Avoid using technical or bureaucratic jargon. If you have to, then explain what

it means. Instead use simple, everyday language (see Annex V - Jargon for examples) and interesting (journalistic) style to make text attractive and understandable.

Remove false friends and French-influenced words/phrases that are uncommon or awkward in English (see Annex V - False friends).

* these first 2 points are crucial, especially when working with source material from the EU environment, which is littered with jargon and false friends. As insiders, we have real trouble recognising these terms. We need to rigorously convert any such "euro-language" into authentic journalistic prose – more attractive, readable and accessible texts will improve our image and generate more (and repeat) readers and more inward links from other sites, a key factor in high search engine rankings.

Write in short sentences with a simple structure (although some long sentences are fine if they are properly constructed e.g. if they branch, identifying a separate idea, or contain clauses at the end).

Put modifiers close to what they modify

Prefer the active to the passive voice where possible/useful*- makes text clearer and more personal (identifies the actors in a sentence) and introduces the action (as a verb) at the earliest stage, so readers can work out what’s happening.- puts the actions in the order they occur so readers can follow the logical sequence of events.

* there is no problem in using the passive to avoid spelling out already-stated ideas or for emphasis – just try to avoid using it where it obfuscates the actors in a sentence.

Use verbs not nouns – they have a more powerful effect and describe the action rather than hiding it. Reduce funding not Make reductions in funding.Short, punchier verbs are of course better, e.g. cut.

Use positive, rather than negative formulations, they are clearer: e.g. “It is common” rather than “it is not uncommon”.

Highlight key concepts by bolding them – this aids scanning readers and may make them more prominent to search engines.

In running text (i.e. not in "strategic" technical locations such as html <title> tags, links etc.) place important/new information at the end of the sentence for greater impact. Starting sentences with facts already digested by readers before moving on to the ‘new’ also helps them follow the thread of your argument without effort. Key information should not be in the beginning or middle of a sentence. Examples of techniques:

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Cutting industrial emissions is the best way to meet the target The best way to meet the target is by cutting industrial emissions(using the passive)A new, post-Kyoto agreement will continue the fight against global warming.The fight against global warming will be continued by a new, post-Kyoto agreement.

Be specific, not abstract, e.g. jobs not employment

Challenge uses of to be verbs. Is, are, am, was, were, been and being are weak verbs. Sometimes they are the most accurate verbs. You can't and shouldn't eliminate all uses of these verbs. But you should always challenge them. See if you can use a stronger verb.

Challenge all weak verbs. When you find weak verbs such as do, get, put and have, ask whether you can replace them with stronger verbs. That doesn't simply mean using a longer synonymous verb, such as obtain instead of get or possess instead of have. Ask whether you can convey the meaning of the sentence with a stronger verb.

Ways of cutting words to keep text short

Cut redundant and meaningless words, e.g.:- Formerly isn't needed with past tense. Currently or now isn't needed with present tense- redundant pairs e.g. full and complete, true and accurate- redundant modifiers e.g. future plans, end result- redundant categories e.g. period of time, field of economics- meaningless modifiers e.g. basically, actually, certain, particular, specific

Replace phrases with words. Look at the phrases in your copy and try to find phrases that can be reduced to a single word: hardly ever becomes rarely.

Eliminate imprecise words. You will very rarely find a sentence that is enhanced by the word very. For instance, the very in the preceding sentence adds nothing. Look for other imprecise words such as many and several that you can cut or replace.

Reduce use of adverbs. Instead of using a verb modified with an adverb, see whether you can use a more precise verb that needs no modification: dash instead of run fast.

No ands or buts. Sometimes writers use and or but unnecessarily as transitions to start sentences. If the sentence doesn't conflict with the one before, but is inappropriate as well as unnecessary. And is frequently an unnecessary transition. By the mere fact that the story continues, the reader knows more is coming. The other overused words that you can cut frequently include that, the and a. Often you do need these words, but sometimes they are extraneous, such as the the and that in the previous sentence.

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Final check

Edit first for style and tone

If it is possible to cut out a word, always cut it out. This aids understanding and increases the density of keywords as a share of total text, which will improve search engine rankings

Ask yourself: is it clear? Is it necessary? Is there a shorter way to say this? Is there a simpler way to says this?

Check and re-check the order of your paragraphs. Sometimes exchanging the first and second paragraph can work well

Write the headline if you've not yet done so

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Annex III – Captions, headlines and links

Captions

Captions are not relevant for search engines, just human readers. Since they are only shown inside the full article, they have no role in attracting readers to the article. But a good caption can add value to an article: they can be a good place to put extra information you want readers to know quickly.

Don't state the obvious

Add an extra layer of (new) information to the article

Add interest to potentially dull pictures – take the picture (e.g. a building) as the starting point but feel free to depart onto a related issue that is more interesting (e.g. what happened or will happen in it). People (and what they do) are more interesting than objects, abstract policies or dignitaries in staged settings – so highlight this aspect if possible (e.g. not "Hübner opens Lyon technology centre" but rather “Hübner opens Lyon tech centre expected to turn out hundreds more skilled workers for the region”).

The extra information doesn't have to be what's in the headline, or even the article. Captions can be a good place to put extra stuff you want readers to know quickly (since they will read small blocks of text more readily than body copy).

Answer questions - the caption should answer any questions the reader has in looking at the photo, even if they are unrelated to the thrust of the article: Who is this? Where is this? What’s happening here (or what happened after the picture)?

Flesh out the context for the moment captured in the picture

Don't overlap with or contradict the headline or the articleMatch the tone to the photo – don't be humorous if the picture isn't.

Descriptions are very helpful for readers, e.g. the person "cutting the cake"

Use names if possible, to show the human angle (people are interested in people)

Start strong and build up the caption. Choose the first few words carefully, to tell the reader immediately about the photo. Start with a strong verb, then add powerful nouns. Flesh these out with the rest of the facts.

Use the present tense to create the immediacy of the moment captured in time (and switch to past when talking about events after the picture).

Use conversational language

Don’t repeat exact wording from the article or headline

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Headlines

* Headlines are what first attract readers browsing on the HP, so they deserve time and thought. Sometimes easier to write after you’ve finished the article.

* Remember the headline will appear next to the picture, so keep the picture in mind when thinking of a headline. This can inspire a suitable headline - but you must also make sure the headline doesn't combine with the picture to create an inappropriate effect.

Be interesting Headlines are often the first and sometimes the only piece of content to be read by scanning readers. Try to attract their attention.

- use telling, evocative, rich words.

- highlight intrigue, contrast or conflict in the central theme.

- convey a mood or emotion.

- find a human angle (achievement, spirit, etc.) – but don't exaggerate.

- try to express the issues from the readers' perspective.

- make sure the headline matches the tone of the article e.g. can (and should) be lighter for less serious articles.

* However - clever headlines do not trump clarity, specificity or accuracy. The first and basic function of a headline is to convey the message of the story. A good guide is that this should be the 2 or 3 things you might say to a friend to describe the story verbally. But simplicity is also the key – don't try to say too many things

Lead with key phrases/idea, not the idea/perspective of the Commission or EU or other less relevant details e.g. dates. Limit filler words – use telegraph headline style.

Use a strong, short, action verb. This is often the most important word in the headline, adding dynamism and immediacy, especially in the present tense, so it's worth spending time to find the right one. However, beware of verbs that can also read as nouns.

Aim for a conversational style i.e. with words people use in everyday speech - makes the headline resonate more with readers.

Avoid overuse of “European” and “commission”.

Use only single quote marks.

Tips on creating catchy headlines: should also include an element of fun, finding a novel and interesting way to sell the story to readers. Start with word association and word play (a new twist on established idioms and clichés). Isolate the key phrases and then write down any and all related phrases or themes you can think of. Consider words that rhyme and onomatopoeic words like bang, beep, buzz. Entertain all suggestions to start with, even extreme ones that could be moulded/toned down into something usable. Read suggested headlines aloud and look for hidden traps (unintended meanings etc.). Be aware of the music of the headline, how it sounds - the

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repeating rhythms, similar-sounding vowels and consonants, which can add to the effect.

Links

Be direct: "For more information on FP7, see the Commission's research homepage" is less compelling than a specific command, "More on FP7".

Links should ideally not be too short (a single, short word could be overlooked) or too long (this reduces the scanability of text), and especially not split over two lines. 3-5 words is fine.

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Annex IV – Style conventions

Titles

Abbreviate to the part of the portfolio relevant to the story, e.g. agriculture minister, consumer protection commissioner

Numbers & Symbols

Decimal point 1.5 - not 1,5

Large numbers 1 5001.5m – for million1.5bn – for billion

Except when starting a sentence, always write numbers greater than 9 as digits; 9 and under should be written as words. When starting a sentence, always use words.

Exception – headlines can start with any number(s) written as digits.

Currency symbols €150Use percentage symbol 5%Check commissioners’ names employment and social affairs commissioner

Vladimír Špidla

NB Do not use spaces between symbols and figures

And, But

Yes! You can start sentences with And and But. This can link sentences more dynamically.

€9bn technology boost for Europe

The leading information society technology event – IST2006, in Helsinki on 21-23 November – will showcase new technologies, the latest research results, workshops, robots and much more. And to guarantee continued success, the EU has announced a budget of €9bn for its new technology research programme.

Dates

Do not use an article. Do not use ‘st, rd, th’- e.g. "on 5 September"

Upper and lower case

For the titles of institutions – European Union, European Parliament, etc. – capitalise in the first instance and thereafter use lower case.

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But generally, don’t overcapitalise – a particular flaw of much of our source material, this makes text seem self-important and harder to read. Journalistic texts are very sparing with capitals. All of the following are quite acceptable and preferable to their capitalised alternatives:

Documents, policy areas - environment white paper, information society technologies

Titles – development minister, commissioner for health and consumer protection, president Barroso

Titles of programmes, events, other entities – European year of equal opportunities, 7th research framework programme, environment summit / conference, German presidency

NamesMention the full name at least once per page, e.g. “Commission president José Manuel Barroso” and later in the text “Mr Barroso”.

Prepositions

Participate inTake part in If in doubt, check!

Countries and their inhabitants

In most contexts favour simplicity over precision and use Britain rather than Great Britain, Russia rather than the Russian Federation, China rather than the People’s Republic of China.

Commas & full stops & apostrophes

Use commas as an aid to understanding. Too many in one sentence can be confusing.

Use plenty of full stops. They keep sentences short. This helps the reader. Do not use full stops in abbreviations or at the end of headings and subheadings. Similarly, do not use full stops for the abbreviation of mister.

Do not put apostrophes into decades - 1990s

Phrases like in two weeks’ time, six months’ leave, need apostrophes

Tenses

Note that “has adopted on 4 July” is grammatically incorrect (influence of FR): use either “adopted on 4 July” OR “has adopted” with no date or a date in brackets at the end.

The present tense is a good way to express the future, making text more immediate and vivid.

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The gerund also has a more dynamic effect, and avoids having to use relative clauses (“mostly afflicting” not “which mostly afflict”). Especially useful with more cumbersome relatives like "(the project,) under which was set up" – better as "the project setting up"Do not fight shy of the perfect tense, especially where no date or time is given:

Mr Bush has woken up to the danger is preferable to Mr Bush woke up to the danger, unless you can add last week or when he swallowed the pretzel!

Short words

Use them - prefer about to approximately, after to following, let to permit, but to however, use to utilise, make to manufacture, plant to facility, take part to participate, set up to establish, enough to sufficient, show to demonstrate and so on. Underdeveloped countries are often better described as poor.

Minimise use of acronyms

Acronyms are one of the hardest things for "outsiders" to find the meaning of. Spell out the full name at least once on each page, usually the first time you use the term, followed by the acronym in brackets, e.g. "European social fund (ESF)". 

Try to find an equivalent to the acronym if it sounds awkward. Instead of using European monitoring centre for drugs and drug addiction (EMCDDA), try EU's drugs watchdog. If necessary, give an explanation: REACH – a new law regulating chemicals; Solvit – the EU’s red-tape busting service.

Dashes

Beware of sentences — such as this one — that dash about all over the place — because they have too many dashes.

Commas (or even, very occasionally, brackets) are often better; semi-colons also have their uses.

However, a single dash in a sentence can be a good device to separate out a telling last phrase for effect, or point you want to emphasise – right at the end.

Disabled people

Not “the disabled”. Use positive language about disability, avoiding outdated terms that stereotype or stigmatise. Terms to avoid, with acceptable alternatives in brackets, include victim of, crippled by, suffering from, afflicted by (prefer person who has, person with); wheelchair-bound, in a wheelchair (uses a wheelchair); invalid (disabled person); mentally handicapped, backward, retarded, slow (person with learning difficulties, person with mental health problems / a mental health condition); the disabled, the handicapped, the blind, the deaf (disabled people, blind people, deaf people); deaf and dumb (deaf and speech-impaired, hearing and speech-impaired)

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Annex V – Vocabulary

3 tables of suggested alternative terms: - Simple and direct language- Jargon- False friends

1 - Simple and direct language

General terms Choose the simpler option

In view of the fact that as

With respect to on

A certain number of some

The majority of most

Pursuant to under

Within the framework under

Accordingly, consequently so

For the purpose of, in order to To

In the event of If

If this is not the case If not

If this is the case If so

Concerning, regarding About

With reference to, with regard to About

Thus Therefore/in this way/thereby/so

The fact that That

Come up with Suggest/originate/produce

Objectives Targets

Aimed at Aiming to

Come forward with Put forward

Circumstances Circumstances stand around a thing, so it is in, not under, them

As to there is usually a more appropriate

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preposition than as to

Relationship Relationship is a long word often better replaced by relations. The two countries hope for a better relationship means The two countries hope for better relations.

Proactive Not a pretty word : try active or energetic

Last prefer last week’s or the latest issue. Last year, in 1996, means 1995 ; if you mean the 12 months up to the time of writing, write the past year. The same goes for the past month, past week, past (not last) ten years. Last week is best avoided ; anyone reading it several days after publication may be confused. This week is permissible.

Commit do not commit to, but by all means commit yourself to something.

Proper nouns if they have adjectives, use them. Thus a Californian (not California) judge, the Pakistani (not Pakistan) government, the Texan (not Texas) press.

There is, there are Often unnecessary. There are three issues facing the prime minister is better as Three issues face the prime minister or Prime minister faces three issues.

Total all right as a noun, but as a verb prefer amount to or add up to.

One try to avoid one as a personal pronoun. You will often do instead.

An should be used before a word beginning with a vowel sound (an egg, an umbrella, an MP) or an h if, and only if, the h is silent (an honorary degree). But a European, a university, a U-turn, a hospital, a hotel. Historical is an exception: it is preceded by an, the h remaining silent.

As of (April 5th or April): prefer on (or after, or since) April 5th, in April.

Biannual means twice a year, biennial every two years; biannual is almost always misused: to avoid confusion stick with the alternative twice-yearly; two-yearly is an alternative to biennial

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Scarcity Shortage

Continual refers to things that happen repeatedly but not constantly, continuous indicates an unbroken sequence

Affect/effect exhortations in the style guide had no effect (noun) on the number of mistakes; the level of mistakes was not affected (verb) by exhortations in the style guide; we hope to effect (verb) a change in this

Affinity with or between, not to or for

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2 - JargonTechnical terms/jargon Comprehensible alternatives*

* suggested, not binding – the main point is to try to spell out at least once what is meant

Treaty of Rome EU's founding treaty Treaty on European Union Maastricht treatyEU-15 e.g. pre-2004 EU countries or membersEU-10 e.g. countries that joined (the EU) in 2004EU-25 e.g. EU members before 2007EU-27 e.g. all current (EU) membersIST ITRTD R&Dacquis (communautaire) EU law or rulespresidency add e.g. "the 6-month unofficial leadership of

the EU"social dialogue labour relationsPermanent Representative (Germany's) top EU diplomatDelegation (same for Representation) (local) EU mission (delegation)

(local) EU office (delegation)EU's representative office (delegation)EU office (delegation) in X country

"Europe" (as a shorthand for European integration/unity etc. e.g. "more Europe")

say what is really meant, e.g. integration, cooperation

Communication a paper, set of (policy) proposalsCouncil (of Ministers) (depending on context) EU leaders, EU

governments, EU member countries etc.Also: the "agriculture Council" can be rendered as e.g. "EU farm ministers meeting in Brussels"

European construction European integration, European unity, the EUprovisions laws or rulesEuropean Council EU summiteuro area eurozone (one word) – twice as many hits on

Google, shouldn't we accept the reality?Lisbon strategy/agenda add or replace with an explanatory phrase,

e.g. EU competitiveness strategy or drive / EU strategy for economic growth and job creation/ EU growth and jobs strategy / EU growth and job creation/drive to develop a leading-edge knowledge economy etc.

Multilateral organisationinternational organization

Enlargement ExpansionSMEs small businesses/firms

If really necessary to make the distinction: “small and mid(or medium)-size(d) businesses (or companies)" (not enterprises!)

Community/Union/Commission EU

No need to confuse people with the

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underlying institutions unless absolutely necessary, in which case, some explanation should be given, e.g. "the EU('s) executive (body), the European Commission"

Member State EU country/member country/EU member/EU member government / national government or administration or authorities

Using Member State expresses a central perspective – to us they are Member States but not to the public in each country.

ICT new/modern technologies (as noun)"technology" or "hi-tech" (as adjective)

Third country non-EU country, other country, partner country

Citizens the (general public)/individuals/people/nationals/Europeans/the man in the street/society

Accession joining/membership/entryState aid government supportTreaty of Rome Better to refer indirectly to the EU’s founding

treatyIn references to the 50th anniversary – it is better to use the EU’s 50th birthday

Heads of state and government Leaders is enoughFlexicurity Add something like “– making the job

market flexible while maximising security for workers.”

IGC Negotiations / talks (known as an intergovernmental conference) / 2007 IGC = the "formal treaty talks" or "the reform treaty talks"

National administration Civil service in each EU countryDerogation ExemptionsLegislative discussions Discussions on (new) laws(Country holding the) presidency of the council

"the 6-month rotating/unofficial leadership of the EU" / six-month stint in charge of EU affairs / country in charge of, at the helm (of), in the EU cockpit etc

White paper EU (policy) paper, EU proposals, set of proposals

European Parliament and Council European institutionsHarmonise StandardiseCohesion Economic and social development

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3 - False friendsYouth Young people/the youngEnables/allows/makes it possible Avoid overuse – from FR permet de

Does/result in/thanks to/helps toReinforce/strengthen Avoid overuse – from FR renforcer

Improve/enhance/consolidate/boost/beef Up /energise/increase/tighten/revitalise/ expand/step up/ put greater emphasis on/focus more on

Envisage Provide for/to be possible/consider/plan/ propose/envision/identify

At regional/national level Regionally, nationallyGlobal Comprehensive/joint/overall/integratedForeseen From FR prévu

probably/slated to/planned/forecast/meant to or for/ stipulated/scheduled/envisaged in/set out in

Actors Stakeholders/organisations/bodies/parties/participants/players/groups/those involved/operators

Respect Comply with/meetActions Measures or action (singular)Actually In English, this is used to soften a

contradiction - it does not mean now

Indeed In French it may be common to use the likes of ‘indeed’, ‘as a matter of fact’, ‘moreover’, these are seldom used in journalistic texts in English.

Exclamation marks Rarely used in EN journalistic texts, since they generally give an impression of breathless over-enthusiasm – filter them out of source material.

social often means “welfare” or “social security”

exchange of experience sharing or pooling or spreading information, skills, knowledge, know-how, lessons learnt / information exchange or sharing / knowledge transfer

informatic(s) IT, computer or computing (as adjective), computerised, electronic

Information Unlike French, ‘information’ in English is an unaccountable noun – ‘a piece of information’, ‘some information’

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