WMU Home > About WMU > Writing Guide

Writing for and about Western Michigan University

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.) Do not use postal service abbreviations for locations. Always use them for addresses.

Use

To make reservations, write to Paul and Mary Moore, 1313 E Main St, Portage MI 49024-2001.

Paul and Mary Moore reside on East Main Street in Portage, Mich.

Paul and Mary Moore
1313 E Main St
Portage MI 49024-2001

Note that in 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.

University addresses

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

Name of individual, title (optional)
Name of college, department or office (optional)
Room number and building (optional)
Western Michigan University
1903 W Michigan Ave (optional)
Kalamazoo MI 49008-XXXX

Common USPS-approved abbreviations:

Apartment   Apt
Avenue      Ave
Boulevard   Blvd
Building    Bldg
Center(s)   Ctr
Circle(s)   Cir
Court       Ct
Drive       Dr
East        E
Expressway  Expy
Extension   Ext
Fort        Ft
Freeway     Fwy
Height(s)   Hts
Highway     Hwy
Island      Is
Junction    Jct
Lane        Ln
Mount(ain)  Mt
North       N
Northeast   NE
Northwest   NW
Parkway     Pky
Place       Pl
Post Office PO
Road        Rd
Rural Del.  RD
Rural Route RR
Saint       St
South       S
Southeast   SE
Southwest   SW
Spring      Spg
Springs     Spgs
Square(s)   Sq
Street      St
Suite       Ste
Terrace     Ter
Turnpike    Tpke
West        W

Top of page

Office of University Relations
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA
(269) 387-8400
university-relations@wmich.edu

Revised: May 23, 2007
www.wmich.edu/writing/