Fact Sheet Guidelines

What are fact sheets and guidelines for creating them?

A fact sheet is a concise, peer-reviewed, and research-based publication designed to translate complex university research into practical, accessible, and actionable information for the public to solve real-world problems.

Authors

  • Please focus on your audience’s needs as you create fact sheets. In the past, page limitations applied. We now design mobile-friendly HTML fact sheets, allowing more flexibility. Still, aim for clear and concise; you may consider breaking denser material into multiple fact sheets (series) if it would benefit your readers.
  • We are focused on HTML and further optimizing our information for AI searches to increase our outreach. Think about what people will search for when creating titles and content. Make titles succinct and search-friendly.
  • Some fact sheets are intended for class handouts (we still design and produce PDFs for these purposes), where fewer pages make sense.
  • Fact sheets are based on published research and include in-text citations and a reference list (please use APA Style, 7th ed.).
  • High-resolution images and graphs are meant to enhance, not replace, the text and further reader understanding. They must be royalty-free, with adequate attribution.
  • Please submit documents for review as a Word file. Do not submit your documents as InDesign, Canva, or PDF files. Submissions to FastTrack should be in Word, so we have source files to work from. The FastTrack review focuses on text and technical accuracy, not design. Design can certainly enhance the text, but it is added after the technical review, and the text is revised and clean. As a metaphor, we don't get dressed and put on makeup and then go take a shower; instead, we clean up first and then add a stylish outfit. It is similar with the publishing process; it is best practice to focus on cleaning up the text first and getting the message right, then add design to enhance the message. Furthermore, we must all comply with the new accessibility requirements. It's most efficient to make these revisions and assign alt text in a Word document. USU Extension Marketing applies the guidelines and branding to fact sheets after an accepted fact sheet is submitted using the project request form. You can also learn about the accessibility requirements at USU Accessibility - Accessible Documents Overview.

Reviewers and Associate Editors

  • We strive for specialists and to vet fact sheets to ensure the material is accurate and science-based. Thank you for participating in the peer review process as a submitting author and a peer reviewer. Both are needed to make the process work.
  • Remember that reviews are blind. Scrub your name from your review to protect your identify and the review process integrity.
  • Serving as a reviewer or associate editor may be included as service in your dossier.
  • For more USU Extension publishing information, see Publishing Process and the Extension Publishing Menu on the Employee Resources web page.

Updated July 2026