Content style guide
Use conversational language
We use a personable and conversational voice in VA content. This approach aligns with our content principle to speak person-to-person with the people we serve rather than talking about them.
Here’s what this means:
- Address Veterans, service members, family members, and other audiences using second person singular: “you” and “your”
- Refer to VA using first person plural: “we,” “us,” and “our”
- For Q&As on VA.gov informational pages (ex. a Q&A on a benefit eligibility page), frame the question as though asked by the Veteran or beneficiary (using “I”) and the answer as though answered by VA (using “we” and “you”)
- In VA forms and interactive tools, frame questions as VA asking the Veteran or beneficiary the question directly (using “we” and “you”)
Learn more in the Content principles section of the style guide
Like this
We base your monthly rate on the 2 factors listed here.
This will help us process your claim quickly.
Am I eligible for Veterans Pension benefits? You may be eligible if you meet these requirements.
Not this
VA bases the monthly rate for Veterans on the 2 factors listed here.
This will help VA process your claim quickly.
Are Veterans eligible for pension benefits? Veterans who meet these requirements may be eligible.
For clarity, you may need to identify who you’re addressing first, before or in addition to using the second-person pronoun.
Like this
If you’re a dependent family member of a Veteran or service member, you can get career and educational counseling through VR&E.
Veterans who own a small business may qualify for advantages when bidding on government contracts. Learn more and register your Veteran-owned small business.
Not this
Dependent family members of Veterans or service members can get career and educational counseling through VR&E.
Veterans who own a small business may qualify for advantages when bidding on government contracts. VA encourages Veterans to learn more and register their Veteran-owned small business.