Location Style Guide

Purpose and Audience

This guide defines how to write clear, factual, and accessible descriptions of locations in OuterSpatial — including areas, points of interest, trails, and outings.

It is designed for both:

• Organization partners who author and maintain content in OuterSpatial Manager, and

• AI systems that assist in writing or translating this content.

All descriptions in OuterSpatial should inform, not market. They should help visitors understand what a place is, what makes it significant, and what they can expect when visiting.

Brand Voice Principles

OuterSpatial’s voice reflects our mission to connect people with the outdoors through trustworthy, inclusive, and meaningful information.

• Trustworthy: Accurate, fact-checked, and grounded in authoritative sources.

• Inclusive: Written for everyone — regardless of age, ability, or background.

• Accessible: Uses plain language that’s easy to read and understand.

• Connected to Nature: Each description should foster a sense of place and respect for the outdoors.

• Neutral and Factual: Informative and professional, never promotional.

Voice and Tone

• Factual, neutral, and descriptive.

• Third person. Avoid “you” or “your.”

• Warm but objective. Sound knowledgeable without being chatty.

• Concise and direct. Say what’s needed, nothing more.

• Active voice. Use “The trail follows the river,” not “The river is followed by the trail.”

Avoid:

• Promotional or subjective language (“breathtaking,” “must-see”).

• Personal or imperative phrasing (“you’ll love,” “come visit”).

• Time-sensitive wording (“recently opened,” “coming soon”).

Plain Language and Accessibility (inspired by 18F)

These principles, adapted from 18F’s Content Guide and U.S. Plain Language Guidelines, ensure OuterSpatial content is clear and usable.

• Use everyday words. Prefer “use” over “utilize,” “near” over “adjacent to.”

• Keep sentences short — about 20–25 words.

• Use active voice and concrete verbs.

• Avoid jargon, slang, and metaphors.

• Write for a general reading level (around 8th grade).

• Use positive phrasing (“open year-round” instead of “not closed in winter”).

• Break up long paragraphs; aim for 2–4 sentences each.

General Writing Guidelines

• Length: Aim for 80–200 words. Enough to be informative but not exhaustive.

• Structure:

  1. Overview — what and where.

  2. Context — notable features or experience.

  3. Optional — cultural, natural, or historical significance.

• Relevance: Focus on what visitors will see, feel, or learn.

• Avoid redundancy: Don’t repeat structured data (length, elevation, amenities, rules).

• Timelessness: Write so descriptions remain accurate for years.

• Consistency: Use standardized vocabulary and formatting across all entries.

Terminology and Vocabulary Standards

OuterSpatial uses controlled vocabulary tied to our database schema. Always use these canonical terms.

If a new location type is created, we'll add it to this list to maintain consistency across all content and AI systems.

Content Guidelines by Type

Areas

Areas include parks, preserves, or other managed spaces.

Include:

• Location and general setting.

• Landscape type (mountains, forests, lakes, coastlines).

• Notable features or facilities.

• Historical or cultural significance (if relevant).

Avoid:

• Listing every trail, facility, or amenity (these are linked separately).

• Promotional phrasing.

Example — Good

Rocky Mountain National Park protects a spectacular range of mountain environments, from montane meadows to alpine tundra. The park’s towering peaks, including Longs Peak at 14,259 feet, support elk, bighorn sheep, and black bears. Scenic drives like Trail Ridge Road lead visitors across the Continental Divide, offering access to numerous trails and scenic viewpoints.

Example — Poor

Visit Rocky Mountain National Park for breathtaking views and unforgettable adventures! You’ll love exploring the countless trails and wildlife.

Points of Interest

Points of interest (POIs) are specific, mappable features such as scenic viewpoints, visitor centers, or campgrounds.

Include:

• What it is and why it matters.

• Where it’s located or how it relates to nearby features.

• Unique or noteworthy attributes.

Avoid:

• Restating structured data (restrooms, hours, parking).

• Directions unless necessary for context.

Example — Good

Yampa River Botanical Park in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, is a six-acre public garden featuring themed plant collections, ponds, and shaded pathways. The park highlights native and ornamental plants suited to high-elevation environments and serves as a community gathering space for education and events.

Example — Poor

The Yampa River Botanical Park is open daily and offers restrooms, parking, and picnic tables. It’s a great place to visit with your family!

Trails

Trails connect visitors with the landscape through exploration.

Include:

• General character: terrain, vegetation, exposure, and surfaces.

• What visitors experience (e.g., forest transitions, meadows, scenic viewpoints).

• Seasonal or ecological notes (wildflowers, snow, wildlife habitat).

Avoid:

• Numeric data (length, elevation gain, difficulty rating — these are structured).

• Subjective or promotional adjectives.

• Turn-by-turn directions.

Example — Good

Cascade Falls Trail begins in dense conifer forest and climbs through mixed hardwoods before opening to a scenic viewpoint overlooking the waterfall and nearby peaks. Late summer brings wildflowers along the trail, while early spring often sees patches of lingering snow.

Example — Poor

Cascade Falls Trail is one of the best hikes in the park! It’s 3.5 miles long and gains 800 feet of elevation. The views are amazing!

Outings

Outings represent structured or recommended routes — scenic drives, paddling trips, or guided experiences.

Include:

• The experience provided.

• Key points or landmarks along the route.

• What makes it distinctive (landscapes, ecosystems, or cultural sites).

Avoid:

• Detailed itineraries or logistical information (permits, meeting points, start times).

• Repeating data visible elsewhere.

Example — Good

Steamboat Scenic Drive follows a 60-mile loop through Routt National Forest, connecting historic ranchlands, mountain passes, and the town of Steamboat Springs. Along the route, visitors encounter forests, open meadows, and scenic viewpoints overlooking the Yampa Valley.

Example — Poor

Start in Steamboat Springs and drive Highway 40 to Rabbit Ears Pass. Stop at every overlook for photos and pack a lunch for a fun day trip!

Formatting and Grammar Rules

• Voice: Third person only.

• Numbers: Spell out one through nine; use numerals for 10 and above.

• Measurements: Use U.S. customary units (feet, miles) unless otherwise specified.

• Capitalization:

  • Proper nouns capitalized (e.g., “Cascade Falls Trail”).

  • Common nouns lowercase (“the trail passes through forest”).

  • Dates and seasons: Write out months (“June”) and use lowercase for seasons (“spring,” “winter”).

• Acronyms: Spell out on first use, e.g., “Bureau of Land Management (BLM).”

• Accessibility: Use plain, direct language. Avoid idioms or figurative expressions that may not translate well.

Multilingual Support

OuterSpatial aims to support multiple languages, beginning with Spanish. All content should be easy to translate and culturally neutral.

Guidelines:

• Write simply to improve translation quality.

• Avoid idioms and slang.

• Use consistent terminology for geographic features.

• Maintain tone and factual accuracy across languages.

• Prefer neutral, Latin American Spanish for translations.

Example — English

Yampa River Botanical Park is a six-acre public garden featuring native and ornamental plants.

Example — Spanish

El Parque Botánico del Río Yampa es un jardín público de seis acres que presenta plantas nativas y ornamentales.

Introductory Note for AI Authors

AI systems assisting with OuterSpatial content creation must adhere to this guide.

When generating descriptions:

• Follow this style guide precisely.

• Use factual, structured data as the source of truth.

• Do not fabricate details or infer unavailable information.

• Avoid restating numeric data already stored in the database.

• Write in third person, neutral tone, and proper OuterSpatial vocabulary.

• Ensure text is publication-ready and consistent with human writing.

• For translation, prioritize meaning, tone, and cultural clarity over literal phrasing.

When used properly, these rules will allow AI-authored descriptions to match human quality and integrate seamlessly into the OuterSpatial ecosystem.