Content Creation

Our staff are experts in crafting messages that not only communicate information effectively, but also connect and resonate with target audiences on a personal level. This expertise ensures strategic cohesion on any UCM-supported project. Generally speaking, copywriting, editing and proofing services offered to university departments can include:

• Proofreading and editing select intake projects 
• Writing news articles 
• Writing student/alumni profiles
• Writing video scripts
• Writing social media captions for @oaklandu

Every writing service will adhere to OU’s Style Guide (AP Style), ensuring consistent structure throughout the university.  If you are a staff or faculty member who requires one of these services, please contact UCM through the intake form.

Any self-service tool kits allow you to direct your own content creation, editing and proofing; each campus area has expertise in their audience and can thoughtfully craft content that connects with them.

While writing content, review the OU Style Guide for any structural questions, and ensure all student/alumni stories shared are authentic and accurate. If you choose to use any AI tools in your development, consider best ethical practices for authenticity by reviewing AI guidelines.

Self-service content could include: 

• Departmental Emma email copy
• Departmental social media copy
• Copy used in any university design templates
• LiveWhale events 
• Content edits to existing web pages

Oakland University's style guide closely aligns with AP Style, only verging from AP Style in select academic instances, which are also included in the full OU Style Guide. Below are examples of these exceptions: 

1. Credentials on first, second and third etc. references: Excited campus chatter surrounded Nicholas DiPucchio, Ph.D., CAS ’16, while he and his mother set out on an orientation tour of Oakland University. While OU sparked a sense of promise in their group, the energy evaded Dr. DiPucchio, thinking college — whether OU or another university — wasn’t going to be a fit for him. In an attempt to shorten his stagnating university search, DiPucchio made a deal with his mom that changed his career trajectory. 
2. Acronyms: The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) includes more than 70 different fields of study; CAS is also home to the majority of Oakland University's students. 
3. Alumni references: She is an alumnus, and many of her friends are alums, too. 
4. College or school denotation: “What are your plans after high school?” Ruthie Paulus, SEHS ’16 and ’19, vividly remembers how that question lingered everywhere.