When you write for government, use Australian English and use it consistently. This helps readers to focus on the message. It also builds their trust.
Your agency is likely to have a preferred dictionary. We recommend the:
- Australian concise Oxford dictionary (ACOD)
- Macquarie dictionary (Macquarie).
Dictionaries describe how people use words. They don’t prescribe rules for using them. This means word entries often include more than one way to spell a word.
Our tip is to use the first word in the entry (the headword). The headword is the most common form according to each dictionary’s research.
It’s okay to use another option when it’s your agency’s style. Just make sure you always use that option (see ‘Create a word list’ in ‘Review your writing effectively’).
Other reasons to use a dictionary
Dictionaries do more than give the meaning and spelling of words. They help you style words correctly and consistently as you write.
| Capitalisation | summer not Summer URL not url Zen not zen |
| Hyphenation | a blow-out (ACOD) or a blowout (Macquarie headword) fact-check the article (verb) but a fact check (noun) |
| Plurals | cacti (headword) or cactuses appendices (ACOD headword) or appendixes (Macquarie headword) |
| 1 word or 2 | webpage not web page |
| Derogatory or offensive use | bogan: ‘usually derogatory’ (ACOD) or ‘mildly derogatory’ (Macquarie) |
Definition
A derogatory term is a word or phrase that is disrespectful and belittling.
Style Manual pages
- Common misspellings and word confusion
- Dictionaries: an indispensable guide for writing and style (blog by Dr Amanda Laugesen)
- Spelling
About this page
Last updated
This page was updated Thursday 19 December 2024.