Curtin Content Style Guide
The Curtin Content Style Guide aims to ensure clear and consistent writing by those who are writing content on behalf of Curtin. This guide gives answers to everyday questions about in-house text style and formatting.
Information in this guide applies to all Curtin audiences and to all platforms.
For queries about punctuation and grammar, refer to the Australian Government’s Style Manual, which is the standard reference for Australian government and industry publishing. Curtin staff are free to access the digital version.
For queries about spelling, refer to the Macquarie Dictionary, which is the standard reference on Australian English. If the dictionary lists more than one spelling of a word, use the first-mentioned version.
Before you start writing
The Curtin Content Style Guide is a reference for formatting, punctuation, spelling and grammar, but before you start writing, consider the bigger picture.
- Define your purpose. Be clear about why you are writing. Do you want to provide information? Elicit a response? Your purpose will inform the tone and style of your message.
- Define your audience. Again, this will determine the tone and your choice of vocabulary – formal or more relaxed.
Refer to the companion guide Writing on Brand for more information about purpose, audience and tone of voice.
Before you finalise your draft
Follow these steps to ensure your draft is as good as it can be before you circulate it for feedback or approval.
- Read your writing aloud to check that it sounds natural and to identify content that might trip your reader.
- Refer to Writing on Brand to check that the language and tone of your writing aligns with Curtin’s brand attributes.
- Ensure that you have included Curtin’s Acknowledgement of Country statement in your publication, if appropriate.
- Replace unintended clichés, tautologies, slang, jargon and idiom.
- Check whether you need to explain unfamiliar concepts or technical terms.
- Make sure that your document doesn’t resort to superlatives, such as ‘Curtin has the world’s best geoscience facility’.
- Make sure you’ve included attributions and references.
- Make sure there’s no content that may be subject to copyright.
- Proofread your document and ask at least one colleague to proofread it.
Writing on brand
Writing on Brand provides the information you need to write effective communications for Curtin University. It gives insights into our brand personality and audience segments, and clear instructions on how you can adapt your writing to suit various media.