Pressbooks Style Guide Checklist

• Use Heading 2 for main sections.

• Use Heading 3 for subsections.

• Avoid skipping header levels.

• Apply header styles by highlighting text, selecting ‘Paragraph’, and choosing the appropriate header (e.g., Header 1, Header 2, etc.).

• Write short, descriptive headers for clarity.

Paragraphs

• Avoid indenting paragraphs; use spacing between them for readability.

• Maintain consistent paragraph formatting throughout the book.

Accessibility

• Provide descriptive alt text for all images (or leave blank for decorative images).

• Use descriptive link text (e.g., ‘Learn more about sustainability’).

• Ensure sufficient colour contrast for text and background.

• Use properly formatted tables only for data, with headers and captions.

• Include captions or transcripts for multimedia (videos/audio).

• Avoid using colour alone to convey meaning; pair with text or symbols.

• Check the book’s structure with a screen reader (e.g., NVDA or Natural Reader) The Libraries Open Education Team will assist with formatting, accessibility and licensing checks

• Use simple and consistent formatting (avoid excessive bold/italics).

Consistency

• Use the same header levels for similar content types.

• Ensure uniform spacing, alignment, and font styles across the book.

• Use consistent referencing styles.

Style Guide

Feel free to use this style guide for your book!