i.e.

An abbreviation for the Latin phrase id est. OAJ suggests using any of the following instead:

• another way of saying
• which means
• that is to say
• in other words

← Return to Chapter I

ICD, ICD-11

The ICD-11 is also known as the International Classification of Disease, 11th Revision. This international manual released by the World Health Organization defines diseases by code. It is used throughout the world for statistical research purposes when studying disease because the manual describes related or external causes of injury or disease. In the United States, it is also used by doctors, hospitals, Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance for medical billing purposes. The ICD-11 was released in 2022 and updated in 2024, with more than 132 countries adopting its use.

On first use, use ICD-11 with an explanation of purpose and the <abbr> tag:

• <abbr title="International Classification of Disease, 11th Revision">ICD-11</abbr>

On subsequent uses, use ICD with or without an <abbr> tag.

• <abbr title="I C D">ICD</abbr>

Because the ICD acronym is so widely used, there is no need to spell out the individual words with the <abbr> tag.

← Return to Chapter I

IDEA

Stands for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. It is U.S. Code Title 20, Chapter 33, Section 300.

IDEA has four parts:

• Part A. General provisions, purpose, and definitions.
• Part B. A provision related to grants to states for FAPE.
• Part C. A provision for grants to states for early education of children from birth to age 2.
• Part D. A provision for discretionary grants for personnel development, technical assistance and dissemination, technology, and parent-training and information centers.

The U.S. Department of Education oversees IDEA grants and issues regulations under the statute.

On first reference, use Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, also known as IDEA. On subsequent references use IDEA. Use the <abbr> tag when writing the acronym:

<abbr title="Individuals with Disabilities Act">IDEA</abbr>

← Return to Chapter I

identity-first language

Recognizes a part or parts of a person’s identity such as their disability, ethnicity, race, religion, gender-identity, sexual-identity, some careers, causes, etc. It is preferred in many cases by self-advocacy groups and is the style of OAJ.

Identity-first language also recognizes a person’s name is the most essential part of their identity, and therefore strives to call people first and foremost by their names.

Other parts of their identity are written as such:

• disabled person
• autistic woman
• queer man
• Muslim imam
• Jewish student
• LGBTQ activist
• Black community leader

Identity-first language is not appropriate for things that are not part of someone’s identity such as a job; a criminal charge or incarceration status; a medical diagnosis (which is different from a disability or chronic illness); etc. In such cases, person-first language is appropriate.

If a source asks you to use person-first language instead of identity-first language, OAJ suggest respecting the preference of the source with respect to their own identity and to honor the source’s preference.

← Return to Chapter I

idioms

A figurative phrase or expression deeply ingrained in a language and used to convey a particular message in a memorable way. It has a figurative meaning different from the literal meaning of the words used to form the phrase. An idiom will not make sense when translated into other languages.

Examples:

• kick the bucket (meaning to die)
• let the cat out of the bag (meaning to tell a secret)
• walking on eggshells (meaning to be careful and diplomatic)
• feeling under the weather (meaning to feel sick)

In news, do not use idioms except when in a quote from a source, after which provide an explanation of the idiom if necessary for the audience who may not be familiar with the idiom or who may not know the translation.

Also see colloquialisms, jargon, and slang.

← Return to Chapter I

IEP

independent city

In the United States, an independent city is a city that is not associated with or a territory of any county. The United States Census Bureau considers independent cities statistically equivalent to counties. There are 41 independent cities: 38 in Virginia (due to the Constitution of the commonwealth of Virginia making all incorporated cities free cities); Baltimore, MD; Carson City, NV; and St. Louis, MO.

In Virginia, the independent city can cause particularly interesting boundaries, such as for the City of Fairfax, an independent city that lies geographically inside the county of Fairfax. The county seat is situated inside the City of Fairfax and therefore is part of the county, which creates a small doughnut hole of land within the city that is Fairfax County instead of City of Fairfax.

For more information, see census.gov.

← Return to Chapter I

indigenous

An adjective meaning natively relating to a particular region or place. When referring to plants or animals, use indigenous in the lowercase form.

The Indigenous Journalists Association notes that based on the United Nations understanding of the term Indigenous as a self-identification based on cultural distinctiveness, such as language and spiritual values, and an experience of subjugation and marginalization, that to the tribal people, communities, and nations of the U.S., being Indigenous is an identity.

When discussing Indigenous peoples and their cultures, the term is capitalized in all cases.

← Return to Chapter I

influenza, flu

An acute and contagious airborne respiratory infection caused by any of the influenza viruses (A, B, C and subsequent types). The influenza virus has a great deal of variation and has been known to cause outbreaks and even epidemics even to those populations previously exposed to similar subtypes.

Incubation of the virus is one to three days, after which active symptoms lasting about five to seven days include:

• malaise
• chills
• fever above 101
• paroxysmal cough and sore throat
• muscle pain

Less frequent symptoms, mostly in children, include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Use influenza on first reference and include the variant of virus if necessary for the story or context. Using the short version, flu, on subsequent references is fine.

← Return to Chapter I

inmate

OAJ suggests following the style of the Prison Journalism Project when it comes to terms such as inmate, convict, and offender.

Per the PJP, those terms are defined this way:

• Offender — in general, a person who commits an illegal act.
• Inmate — a person confined to an institution such as a prison.
• Convict — a person found guilty of a criminal offense and serving a sentence of imprisonment.

However, when interviewing or discussing a person who is incarcerated or person who is in jail, it is important to remember that, despite the nature of the crimes with which people or convicted, as journalists we should remain neutral and thus use neutral language. The most neutral of language is a person’s name, which is their identity; it is also the most human.

Also see identity-first language and person-first language.

← Return to Chapter I