Cite musical compositions using the author–date system. Attribute compositions with correct references to help people find a particular piece of music.
Musical compositions include:
Information about musical compositions can include the:
Classics are works from ancient and medieval times. Cite titles in line with the author–date system. Use correct attribution to help people find the source in its original language or as an English translation.
Disciplines and sources define the term ‘classics’ in different ways. This guidance covers ancient Greek and Roman works (until the 5th century) and works from the medieval period (from the fall of the Roman empire until the middle of the 15th century).
In references and in-text citations, treat the titles of classics as you would other book titles.
Cite works of art using the author–date system. Attribute artwork with correct references to help people find the source and relevant information.
Works of art include:
Cite plays and poetry using the author–date system. Attribute works with correct references to help people find the play or poem.
You might need to refer to plays and poetry in information about events, in digital content and in other publications.
References to plays and poetry must be accurate and complete so that they:
Editing and proofreading help ensure consistency so content meets user needs and expectations.
Editing is part of the work of any team that creates and publishes content. Editing helps content meet user and business needs by ensuring it is:
You must make sure content is clear, accurate and consistent to meet the Digital Service Standard:
The documentary–note system uses a symbol or number in the text to mark detailed references in footnotes or endnotes. Choose this system only if it best suits the mode of publishing content and user needs.
The documentary–note system uses:
Each note has the corresponding superscript reference marker before it. Users find the note by matching the number or symbol. In digital content, the reference markers can be hyperlinked to help users access the note.
The author–date system includes details for author and date in the text with a full citation in a list of references. This system is suitable for most Australian Government content.
The author–date system uses:
People use the information from an in-text citation to find the corresponding reference in the list.
There are different conventions for how to cite legal material. Follow one style consistently to help people read and use the information.
It’s important to cite legal sources in a consistent and accurate way across government.
The Style Manual gives common guidance for different types of legal material, including:
Ordinal numbers, such as ‘first’, ‘second’ and ‘third’, show the order, position or importance of things in a list or sequence.
Spell out ordinal numbers from ‘first’ to ‘ninth’. Use numerals for ordinals from ‘10th’ onwards.
Ordinals written as numerals always have a suffix:
Don’t write suffixes in superscript. Superscript may not be accessible to people who use screen readers.
Post-nominals and titles of status show the awards and honours an individual has. List them in the correct order.
Post-nominals are the shortened forms for academic awards and civil and military honours.
There is an order in which to write the post-nominals.
In summary, the rule is to write the highest honour first. The order is:
