Zoos Victoria’s style guide is edited by Jacquie O’Brien, [email protected] (Ext: 740)
Last updated 20 June 2013
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Zoos Victoria
Editorial Style Guide
A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M|N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z
Introduction
This editorial style guide has been developed to ensure consistent and clear communications
across Zoos Victoria. The guide sets out standard rules and protocols for written
communications and should be used by staff when preparing text for Zoos Victoria use
across our three properties and from a corporate perspective. This includes emails, letters,
website and other marketing and advertising copy.
Zoos Victoria follows the Australian Government Publishing Service Style Manual for
Authors, Editors and Printers (there are copies with Visitor and Community Development and
in the Melbourne Zoo Library). This Editorial Style Guide covers Zoos Victoria specific words,
terms and style issues which are not covered in that document. It also covers common words
and phrases that you may need to check regularly.
The two guides should be used together.
If there are any style issues that are not covered in either document, or you would like
clarification on any of the styles, please contact Jacquie O’Brien in Visitor and Community
Development on Ext: 740.
This guide will be updated annually so to make sure you have the latest version, please refer
to Zoo’s intranet.
This version is current at November 2012.
How to use this guide
The Guide is organised alphabetically, so simply look under the letter that you need for your
query. Entries in bold are the correct version of that word or phrase, the un-bolded text
underneath is further information or notes on how to use the phrase correctly.
For words not found in the guide, please refer to the Macquarie Dictionary and follow the first
spelling preference.
On the next page is a quick contents table that shows you where in this document you can
find answers to the most common grammatical and editorial issues.
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Contents
Zoos Victoria............................................................................................................... 2
Editorial Style Guide ................................................................................................... 2
Introduction ............................................................................................................. 2
How to use this guide .............................................................................................. 2
Feedback ................................................................................................................ 3
A ...................................................................................................................... 4
B ...................................................................................................................... 8
C .................................................................................................................... 10
D .................................................................................................................... 13
E .................................................................................................................... 14
F..................................................................................................................... 16
G .................................................................................................................... 17
H .................................................................................................................... 18
I ...................................................................................................................... 19
J ..................................................................................................................... 21
K .................................................................................................................... 22
L ..................................................................................................................... 23
M .................................................................................................................... 24
N .................................................................................................................... 26
O .................................................................................................................... 27
P .................................................................................................................... 28
Q .................................................................................................................... 30
R .................................................................................................................... 31
S .................................................................................................................... 33
T..................................................................................................................... 36
U .................................................................................................................... 38
V .................................................................................................................... 39
W ................................................................................................................... 40
Y .................................................................................................................... 43
Z..................................................................................................................... 45
Punctuation guide ..................................................................................................... 47
Inclusive language .................................................................................................... 52
Web words and conventions..................................................................................... 53
Animals in our collection ........................................................................................... 54
Priority native threatened species............................................................................. 60
Feedback
Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on the last version of the Style Guide. All of
this feedback has been considered and a number of updates have been made to this version
of the Guide as a result of your input.
If you have any questions about anything not mentioned in this version or suggestions for
inclusions or updates, please contact Jacquie O’Brien (Ext:740).
Your questions may flag the need to decide on a convention or change an existing
convention. We will make changes only after weighing the consequences and benefits for
our users and for the writers and editors who must implement the changes.
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A
a or an before h?
Use ‘an’ only if the ‘h’ is silent: an hour, an heir, an honourable man, an honest woman; but a
hero, a hotel, a historian.
abbreviations (acronyms)
Do not use full stops in acronyms, or spaces between initials: ABC, US, PJ O’Rourke, WH
Smith.
Beware of overusing less well-known acronyms and abbreviations; they can look clunky and
clutter up text, especially those explained in brackets but then only referred to once or twice
again. It is usually simpler to use another word, or even to write out the name in full a second
time.
abbreviations (i.e., e.g., etc.)
full stops between and after letters
i.e.
e.g.
full stop at the end only:
etc.
for formal writing, use the full versions of:
et cetera (not etc)
for example (not e.g.)
that is (not i.e.)
okay (not OK)
abbreviations (organisations)
In most cases an organisation’s name should be used in full at first reference and shortened
later. Initials should be used only where they are instantly recognisable. Otherwise use
descriptors such as the association, the union, the council, the company, the commission,
the league, the organisation, the friends (all lower case).
A few commonly recognised abbreviations (e.g. ABC, ACTU, AFL) may be used at first
reference, although keep in mind many visitors to the Zoo’s website may be tourists and not
familiar with abbreviations we take for granted.
abbreviations (honorifics)
The only honorifics we abbreviate are Mr, Mrs, Dr, St (for Saint) and Cr (for Councillor) and
we use them without full stops; Ms is not an abbreviation, and has no full stop. We do not
abbreviate any other honorific.
Aboriginal
Always capitalised to describe Australia’s original inhabitants
acknowledgement
Not acknowledgment (note the ‘e’ after the ‘g’)
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addresses
Elliott Avenue (Note: two Tts – common error.)
Parkville Victoria 3052
- no punctuation
K Road
Werribee Victoria 3030
Badger Creek Road
Healesville Victoria 3777
Adviser
Not Advisor
Affect vs Effect
It affected me badly, to affect indifference, but: it had a bad effect on me.
African Cat Encounter
Wild encounter at Werribee Open Range Zoo
African Village
an area at Werribee Open Range Zoo.
Age
When stating the age of animal: a six-year-old Giraffe, this 20-year-old primate, now that he's
15
Alongside
One word
Altogether
Means wholly, completely, as in 'it's altogether disastrous'
Amazing Australian animals
School program
am, pm
6am, 7.15pm – time zone sits after numbers, no gaps. Either 6am or 6 in the morning, not
6am in the morning
American spellings
Center, meter, theater, and so on, in Australian spelling have 're' endings. Other common
American spellings are defense, skeptic, traveler, advisor, color, humor; which in Australia
are spelled defence, sceptic, traveller, adviser, colour, humour. Refer Macquarie Dictionary if
unsure.
among
not amongst
amok
Run amok (not amuk)
ampersand (&)
use in company names when the company does – Proctor & Gamble, P&O – but otherwise
use the word ‘and’ whenever possible
An African experience
School program
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and
always use the word, never use an ampersand (&)’ except when an ampersand is used in
the official name of an organisation such as ‘P&O’ or in a heading when you are short on
space
Note: Two Melbourne Zoo exhibits have ampersands in their approved names for use on
signs and map. These are Tree-top Apes & Monkeys and The World of Bugs & Butterflies.
Animals of the Night
area at Healesville Sanctuary
animal enrichment
lower case
Anzac
Not ANZAC
arboreal
not aboreal (spelling) i.e. primates that live mainly in trees
see ‘scientific names (botany and zoology)’
animal nomenclature / names
Follow this order:
Common name, Specific species subspecies, rest of sentence. For example:
The Sumatran Orang-utan, Pongo pygmaeus abelii, is found in the rainforests.
The Eurasian Badger, Meles meles, is nocturnal.
Upper/lower case use for common names: e.g. Brown Bears, Polar Bears are bears. Cottontop Tamarin, Emperor Tamarin are tamarins. Use upper case for species that do not include
more than one form, i.e. Platypus, Ocelot, Emu and Brolga.
A hyphenated name’s second word starts with a lower case letter. For example: Red-tailed
Black-cockatoo
Names change occasionally – check all names with the current Regional Census and Plan
(ASMP) or call Sjoukje Vaartjes (Ext: 426)
For a list of animals in our collection, refer to Animals in our collection
apostrophes
see Punctuation guide
Aussie creature features
School program
Australian Bush
use this rather than ‘Aus Bush’ to describe the precinct at Melbourne Zoo
Australian endangered species
School program
Australian Journey
A precinct at Werribee Open Range Zoo
Australian spelling
colour not color; realise not realize; organisation not organization, apologise not apologize
We follow the Macquarie Dictionary for the spelling of words; if more than one option is
given, always use the first spelling.
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Australian Wildlife Health Centre
do not use AWHC; use Australian Wildlife Health Centre for the first reference to it and ‘the
centre’ on subsequent references
Ayers Rock
Use Uluru
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B
bandstand
barbecue
not BBQ
behind the scenes
do not hyphenate unless it is used as a compound adjective (an adjective that comprises
more than one word), e.g. All the behind-the-scenes action is revealed …
Beads for Wildlife
A community conservation campaign where Zoos Victoria works with Kenya’s Melako
Community Conservancy to sell their handcrafted beadwork to create a sustainable
alternative livelihood for families (based at Werribee Open Range Zoo and Melbourne Zoo)
Birds of Prey
This is now called Spirits of the Sky and is a free flight, free bird show held twice daily at
Healesville Sanctuary, use lower case when referring to these animals generally
Birds of Prey Close-up
Wild encounter at Healesville Sanctuary
board
always use upper case when referring to the Zoos Victoria Board or another formal board,
otherwise use lower case
Bong Su Conference (or Function) Centre in Trail of the Elephants
see catering
a facility at Melbourne Zoo
book titles
are italicised, use upper case for the first letter of the words except for a, an, and, of, on, the.
Uselower case for these words unless they are the first word of the title e.g:A Tale of Two
Cities, The Pride and the Passion.
Born, raised, based
captive-born, hand-raised, Healesville Sanctuary-based ect.
botanical names
see ‘scientific names (zoology and botany)’
both
unnecessary in most sentences that contain the word - and; ‘both men and women’ says no
more than ‘men and women’ and takes longer; if you do use it, it is plural: ‘both women have
reached the tops of their professions’.
brackets
see Punctuation guide
Bridge Walk
a bridge at Healesville Sanctuary
Brolga Room Function Centre
facility at Healesville Sanctuary
see catering
bulleted lists
see Punctuation guide
Bushland of Coranderrk
part of Healesville Sanctuary
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Bushfire
One word
World of Bugs and Butterflies
use when referring to the Butterfly House at Melbourne Zoo
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C
Caesarean
cafe
no accent on the ‘e’
Cafe de Zoo
no accent on cafe
cage
avoid – use ‘exhibit’ or ‘aviary’ for birds and animals, not cage or enclosure
campus
avoid – use ‘properties’ when referring to the zoos
Candlebark Cafe
facility at Healesville Sanctuary
see catering
capitalisation
Many cases for capitalisation are obvious: names of people, places, nations, nationalities,
institutions, organisations, ships, buildings, companies, trademarks and so on. However, if
the full title is not used, the words are not capitalised, i.e. when referring to Lakeside
Function Centre as ‘the centre’.
headings and sub-headings, chapter titles
capitalise all words in the title other than articles (small word associated with a noun),
prepositions (connecting words) and conjunctions (small introductory words). For example:
News and Events
Working at the Zoo
Friends of the Zoos
honorifics
honorifics are capitalised when they are a person’s title, but not when you are talking
about the position in general. Julia Smith, Manager (‘she was promoted to ’
manager’), Father Ted
federal/state
lower case in all instances except when attached to Government, Opposition and
Parliament
government or Government
The word government should be capitalised as part of a formal title or abbreviated
specific title, but lower case is generally appropriate elsewhere:
The Australian Government is responsible for … The government proposes to … This
government policy will … The policy will be reviewed by the Australian Government
from time to time … the Gillard Government ... the Labor Government … the Victorian
Government … the Australian and New Zealand governments … the governments of
South Australia and Tasmania … sanitation is the responsibility of local government
… it is the function of government to …
Do not capitalise past governments, e.g. the Howard government. Also lower case
government schools, government buses, government funds etc. No caps for local
government but do use caps for State Government and Federal Government or
Australian Government.
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organisations
in general, upper case for an organisation or institution and its divisions or
subsidiaries: Zoos Victoria’s Visitor Experience, Melbourne University’s Faculty of
Arts, Works Section
lower case the plural of titles and institutions that would usually be capped in the
singular: parliaments, governments, courts, streets, ministers, premiers, chief justices
product titles
captialise names of Zoo ‘products’, e.g. Roar ‘n’ Snore, Trail of the Elephants, Zoo-BCue, Zoo Twilights
Carousel Park
area at Melbourne Zoo
car park
two words
carnivores
Central Garden Beds
use when referring to the golden elephant area at Melbourne Zoo
Celsius
upper case
Central Australia
Always capitalise
Cheetah Leap
precinct at Werribee Open Range Zoo
Children’s
use this and not childrens’
Chirnside Woolshed
facility at Werribee Open Range Zoo
Chongola BBQ Area
area at Werribee Open Range Zoo (available for group bookings only)
Christmas Day, Christmas Eve
Classified Information
School program
click here
avoid this expression (provides no context for people using screen readers). A better
See Web words and conventions
alternative is ‘Find out more… ‘
close-up
Close-up Encounters
Wild encounter at Melbourne Zoo (includes Giraffe Close-up, Giant Tortoise Close-up,
Kangaroo Close-up and Meerkat Close-up)
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Cooperation or cooperative
Not co-op or co-opt
Cold-blooded
Hyphenated
colons
see Punctuation guide
compass points
lower case and hyphenated, unless a recognised geographical region: e.g. south-west
Victoria but Western Australia.
South-east Asia is used throughout all signs. Avoid South East Asia.
commas
see Punctuation guide
complement/compliment/complimentary
to complement is to make complete: the two singers complemented each other; to
compliment is to praise; a complimentary copy means free: complimentary pass to the Zoo
contact details
to be formatted as follows:
Melbourne Zoo Visitor Experience
PO Box 74
Elliott Avenue
Parkville Victoria 3052
Tel: (03) 9285 9355
Fax: (03) 9285 9340
Email: [email protected]
(note on the web, embed the email contact in a hyperlink)
co-operative
conservation status
list the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classification – Extinct (EX),
Extinct in the Wild (EW), Critically Endangered (CE), Endangered (EN), Vulnerable (VU),
Near Threatened (NT), Least Concern (LC)
Note that Wildlife Conservation and Science will have the most up to date information on the
status of our priority species
Coranderrk, Coranderrk Bushland and Coranderrk Station
Always capitalise to differentiate between locations
Critically Endangered and Endangered
Always capitalise when describing species
currently
usually not needed; ‘now’ is preferable, if needed at all
Cycles of Life
School program
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D
dashes
see Punctuation guide
dates
Wednesday 1 January 2000 (no commas, no “th” “st” )
Day/date/month/year, in this form and no other
When writing date ranges all dates appear in full. Use an en dash (‘–‘) to indicate the time
period when spanning years.
To type an en-dash hold down the Ctrl key and the negative sign on the numeric keypad.
6 August to 20 September not 6th Aug–20 Sept
1999–2000 not 1999–00
Financial year 2001–2002 not Financial year 2001–02
19–21 August 2002 not 19 - 21 August 2002
21st century; fourth century BC; AD2006 but 1000BC; for decades use figures: the swinging
60s or 1960s
De Bortoli Winery and Restaurant
decades
use figures if you abbreviate: 1920s, 1960s (not ‘60s, 1960’s or the sixties); no apostrophe
between the ‘0’ and the ‘s’
Delaware North Companies Australia
Former catering contractors. As of 1 July 2010 catering contractor at WORZ and MZ is
Liberty Catering Concepts.
Dictionary reference
Always refer to the Australian Macquarie Dictionary for other words not listed in the Style
Guide (available online at eDocs)
Dig Pit
an area at Werribee Open Range Zoo
Discovery Centre
for zoo schools
Don’t Palm us Off
A Zoos Victoria community conservation campaign designed to encourage a move to
mandatory labeling of palm oil and the use of Certified Sustainable Palm Oil. Based at
Melbourne Zoo
Dreaming the Indigenous way
School program
Dreaming, Dreamtime
Always capitalise in reference to indigenous culture
Dynamic ecosystems
School program
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E
Earth
capitalise if referring to the world. Use lower-case if referring to dirt or ground.
Eat or be eaten
School program
ecosystem
e.g.
full stops used after the ‘e’ and the ‘g’, no comma at the end
usually can use a colon or ‘such as’ instead – many fruits and vegetables are orange in
colour, such as carrots, oranges, mandarins and pumpkin
Elephant Behind the Scenes
Wild encounter at Melbourne Zoo
Elephant Village
part of the Trail of the Elephants at Melbourne Zoo
Elephant Village Cafe & Conference Centre
use for the facility at Melbourne Zoo, includes Mek Kapah Cafe and Bong Su Conference
Centre – refer catering
Elephant Village Cafe
use for the facility at Melbourne Zoo
see catering
ellipses
see Punctuation guide
email
no hyphen
email address
[email protected]
no underlining
emphasis
Avoid underlining, bolding or italicising words to emphasise them. In a well-written sentence,
it should be obvious which words are the most important without the need for visual aids. If
you must show visual emphasis, use bolding only.
enclosure
avoid – use exhibit instead
The endangered challenge
School program
enquire, enquiry
don’t use inquire or inquiry when talking about queries or questions
exhibit
use this and not enclosure or cage
note: use caps for the proper noun of any named exhibit e.g. Baboon Exhibit ()
etc.
avoid if possible; use ‘including’ before a list instead of ‘etc’ at the end
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every day
two words
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F
fax numbers
put area code in brackets, then separate into four number lots with space in between: (03)
9289 9444
When listing contact details use Fax: not F: or Facsimile:
Fax: (03) 9285 9346
figures
see numbers
Fighting Extinction Tour
Wild encounter at Healesville Sanctuary
financial years
2004–2005 note: en dash is used, not a hyphen
Food Preparation Room
Flight Arena
Area at Healesville Sanctuary where Spirits of the Sky is performed
flood plain
flower-beds
Forest Ranger Station
in Trail of the Elephants at Melbourne Zoo
free-ranging
Friends of the Zoos (FOTZ)
avoid using. See Volunteers
Friends of the Zoos guides
Avoid using. See Volunteers
Information and guided tours at MZ Main Gate.
Signed as Information Booth, and referred to in print as Volunteer Information and Guided
Tours booth at the Main Gate
Fully grown or full-grown
Fur, feathers, scales and skin
School program
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G
Global amphibian crisis
School program
Golden Elephant statue
on the Main Drive at Melbourne Zoo
Gorilla Play Area
area at Werribee Open Range Zoo
Gorillas in the midst
School program
Gorilla Rainforest
a precinct at Melbourne Zoo
government or Government
see capitalisation
The grassland ecosystems
School program
grey
grey-green
Great Flight Aviary
area in Australian Bush at Melbourne Zoo
Growing Wild
area at Melbourne Zoo
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H
Habitat detectives
School program
Habitat heroes
School program
Habitats under threat
School program
Hand-raised
Hyphenated
hand-feeding
hand-raised
headings
all headings and sub-heads use title case (i.e. key words use upper case) see ‘capitalisation’
Herbivores, carnivores and constrictor jaws
School program
Heritage Shelter
area at Healesville Sanctuary
Healesville Sanctuary
use upper case ‘s’ when referring to it as ‘the Sanctuary’
Hippo Play Trail
area at Werribee Open Range Zoo
Hippo Water Play
area at Werribee Open Range Zoo
however
Do not use it when a ‘but’ will suffice. Even the ‘but’ is often unnecessary; consider whether it
should be omitted. When however is used, follow this punctuation:
- The question, however, remains
- However hard the question, it must be faced
- However, Mr Rudd said
hyperlinks
see Web words and conventions
hyphens
see Punctuation guide
High Country Birds
area at Healesville Sanctuary
historic Mandrill House
Heritage (classified by Heritage Vic) exhibit on the Main Drive at Melbourne Zoo
holidays and public holidays are not capitalised
Hot, wet and wild
School program
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I
I, Animal
after hours experience at Melbourne Zoo aimed at adults. Should be italicised. Not iAnimal.
ice-cream
i.e.
two points with no comma afterwards
in addition/in addition to
Avoid use of addition, instead prefer use of: also, too, and, besides, as well, as well as
Indigenous
Always capitalise ‘Indigenous’ when it refers to the original inhabitants of Australia – as in
‘Indigenous Australians’ and ‘Indigenous communities’. It needs no capitals when used in a
general sense to refer to the original inhabitants of other countries.
initials
no spaces or full stops, whether business or individuals, e.g. WH Smith, PCR Turnell, CSR
inquire
use enquire
International students
School program
internet
introducing people
Preferred construction to introduce a speaker or a subject is ‘Board Chairman Andrew Fairley
said … ‘. At second reference, use either ‘Andrew’ or ‘Mr Fairley’ depending on the context.
Or, use the definite article and commas to separate the job from the name, like this: ‘The
Chairman of the Board of Zoos Victoria, Andrew Fairley, said … ‘ (there is only one person
with this specific post).
(use ZV example or animals example.)
Commas are not used if the description is more general and could apply to more than one
person, like this: Sydney Swans footballer Adam Goodes said … ‘ (there are several Sydney
Swans footballers); or like this: ‘Olympian Ian Thorpe said … ‘.
Another example: ‘Matt Jones, the newspaper's business editor, gave his verdict … ‘ is
correct; ‘The business editor Matt Jones gave his verdict … ‘ is fine as well.
into
one word
but - on to - is two words
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italics
We italicise the titles of books, films, works of art, plays, reports, papers, statements and
television programs.
When ‘The’ is shown on a periodical's masthead as part of the title – The Age, for example –
it should be italicised and can be capitalised when it does not coincide with the ordinary use
of the word:
He writes for The Age.
But
.. in the Age editorial on Monday
TV programs such as Totally Wild or Channel 9 News are always italicised
Italicise major presentations and products on each property e.g. Wild Sea, Spirits of the Sky,
Tales from Platypus Creek, Magic Moments
its and it’s
Its is the possessive form of it and is the right word to use to show ownership. e.g. ‘The tree
needed to be trimmed because its branches were too long.’
It’s is short for ‘it is’. The confusion between its and it’s is a common error and can be a
source of irritation for readers.
To work out which one to use, see if ‘it is’ fits into the sentence in the place of ‘its/it’s. If it
does, use ‘it’s’.
Information Booth
at the Melbourne Zoo Main Gate, it shouldn’t be referred to as the Volunteer booth or
Volunteer info)
Investigating the grassland ecosystem
School program
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J
Japanese Garden
an area at Melbourne Zoo
job titles
Capitalise Zoo job titles, e.g. Zoo Keeper Joe Blogs, the General Manager of Corporate
Communications.
However, if referring to roles in general, as opposed to a specific position, do not capitalise.
For example:
The keepers feed the elephants.
The visitors watched Zoo Keeper, Jo Smith, feed the elephants.
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K
K&B
HS catering contractor
Keeper-in-charge
Keeper Kids
area at Melbourne Zoo
Keeper Talk
avoid – use Meet the Keeper
kilometre
use km, no space between km and number, i.e. 100km
In some instances, particularly in written text, it may be preferable to spell out measures such
as kilometres (e.g. we travelled by foot over rough terrain for about two kilometres).
Koala Picnic Area
area at Healesville Sanctuary
Koories
Indigenous Victorians
Kubu River Hippos
precinct at Werribee Open Range Zoo
Kubu Trader
temporary catering outlet at Werribee Open Range Zoo, used during busy periods
Kubu Queen
semi-submerged barge at Werribee Open Range Zoo used to view the hippopotamuses
Kulin nation
Capital K, lower case n
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L
Lakeside Bistro
facility at Melbourne Zoo. Not restaurant
Lakeside Function Centre (Rainforest Room)
see catering
facility at Melbourne Zoo
Lakeside Plaza Take-away
facility at Melbourne Zoo
see catering
Land of Parrots
precinct at Healesville Sanctuary
Learning Experiences
teams responsible for the schools programs at each campus.
Leopard Lodge Function Centre
facility at Melbourne Zoo
Liberty Catering Concepts
catering contractor at Melbourne Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo
Lion Behind the Scenes
Wild encounter at Melbourne Zoo
Lions on the Edge
precinct at Werribee Open Range Zoo
lists (bulleted, numbered)
see Punctuation guide
late night openings
non-specific reference to events after hours
Lion Park
precinct at Melbourne Zoo
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M
Magic Moments
a Wild encounter at Healesville Sanctuary
Main Drive
Main road and walkway from the entrance of Melbourne Zoo
main entrance or main gate entrance
all lower case
Main Gate
entry at Melbourne Zoo
Mali and Ongard
Wild encounter at Melbourne Zoo
Make a Difference
donation point at the end of Trail at Melbourne Zoo
Mandrill House
historic Mandrill House on the Main Drive at Melbourne Zoo
Mansion at Werribee Park
may be seen
not ‘can be seen’ when referring to viewing animals at the Zoo
measurements
use metric measures, not imperial
100kg, 5km, 20mm, 5L (litres) – no ‘s’ when used in the plural. No space after the number.
As the abbreviation for metres ‘m’ can often be confused with other abbreviations, it is
preferable to always spell out ‘metres’ (e.g. 25 metres).
In some instances, particularly in written text, it may be preferable to spell out measures such
as kilometres (e.g. we travelled by foot over rough terrain for about two kilometres).
Meerkat Bistro and Function Centre
a facility at Werribee Open Range Zoo - refer to catering
Meet the Keeper, Meet the Keeper presentations
avoid Keeper Talks
Megafauna
Not Megalania. Capitalise M
Mek Kapah Cafe
facility at the Trail of the Elephants at Melbourne Zoo
no accent on cafe
membership/members
use lower case ‘m’ unless referring to a ‘Zoo Member’
Melbourne Zoo
always upper case
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Melbournians
Not Melburnians
Mere monkeys
School program
Mini keepers
School program
Mini Zoo Keepers
Wild encounter at Werribee Open Range Zoo
money
if no cents, then $52 in text use (not $52.00). Exception is on signs where there are cents –
e.g. $41.20
Moreton Bay Fig
multilingual
one word
multimedia
one word
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N
Nature’s calling
School program
Nocturnal House
Numbered lists
see Punctuation guide
Numbers
Spell out one to nine except in references to pages (e.g. page 5); in percentages (e.g. 4%);
in admission tables (e.g. 2 Adults and 2 Children) and in sets of numerals, some of which are
higher than nine, e.g. she could retire from the Zoo because she had the winning lotto
numbers: 14, 9 and 6.
Use figures for numerals from 10 upwards (except when starting a sentence), and for all
numerals that include a decimal point or a fraction (e.g. 4.25, 4¼).
For numbers greater than 999, use a comma, i.e. 1,000, 28,500, 394,500. However, millions
and billions should be represented with a number, followed by the word, i.e. 2 million, 4
billion.
Where possible, fractions should be avoided; instead, convert to decimal points, i.e. 2.5
kilometres, not 2½ kilometres. When used, fractions should be hyphenated (one-half, threequarters, etc.) and, unless they are attached to whole numbers (8½, 29¾), spelled out in
words, even when the figures are higher than nine:
He gave a tenth of his salary to Melbourne Zoo, a twentieth to his children and half to his
wife.
Use metric not imperial measurements. Prefer hectares to acres, kilometres to miles, metres
to yards, litres to gallons, kilograms to pounds, tonnes to tons, Celsius to Fahrenheit, etc.
Nomenclature
see animal names
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O
Occupational titles
see ‘job titles’
offspring
one word
Open Vehicle Adventure
Wild encounter at Werribee Open Range Zoo
Orang-utan Behind the Scenes
Wild encounter at Melbourne Zoo
Orang-utan Sanctuary
at Melbourne Zoo
Orang-utan Sanctuary Visitor Centre
our Zoo
always capital Z
e.g.
Melbourne Zoo is the oldest zoo in Australia.
We are also involved with other Australian zoos…
The Zoo is playing a key role – used when talking about our Zoo.
At the time, zoos provided the only opportunity…
Our Zoo adventure
School program
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P
parentheses
see ‘brackets’ in Punctuation guide
Parents’ Room
Parrots in Flight
No longer running,
see Spirits of the Sky
pavilion
one l
Pavilion Café
use for the facility at Healesville Sanctuary (refer to catering)
per cent
can also use % as long as it is consistent throughout the document
do not use percent (one word)
Percentages are always expressed in numerals, even when below 10 per cent: 8 per cent,
4.5 per cent, 3 percentage points.
Per se
Two words
Phone
Tel: (03) 9285 9300
see ‘telephone numbers’
International code: 61-3
Photo Sales
Picnic Hamper check-in point
Picnic Pavilion/s
plain English
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Use plain language (write the text as if it needs to be understood by a Year 10
student
Keep sentences short
Start a new paragraph for a new idea
Use active rather than passive language – it is stronger, clearer, and often shorter:
‘The cat sat on the mat’ not ‘the mat was sat on by the cat’
Define specialist terms, avoid jargon and clichés
Avoid culture-specific terms or concepts
Avoid metaphors, especially mixed metaphors
playground
Platypus House
Use this for the area at Melbourne Zoo
Predator-proof
hyphenate
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pre-purchase
hyphenate
pre-paid
hyphenate
prices
$52.40 – if no cents, then $52 (not $52.00) except when written on signs
If listing prices for different kinds of people, capitalise the categories, for example:
Adults
$10
Children
$5
Concession
$5
Family Passes
Carer
Project Platypus
School program
program
not programme (unless it is spelt this way as part of an organisation's name or official title,
e.g. World Food Programme)
programme
use program – see above
Property
not campus
Pula Reserve Trail
area at Werribee Open Range Zoo
public holidays
no caps
precincts
e.g. MZ Gorilla Rainforest/ Australian Bush / Wild Sea
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Q
quotation marks
see Punctuation guide
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R
Rail Gate
Rail Gate Shop at Melbourne Zoo)
rail gate entrance
lower case
Rainforest
one word
Rainforest Room Function Centre
use for the facility at Melbourne Zoo
Raising Rhino - WORZ
reafforestation
not reforestation (this is the American spelling)
re-introduced
Red Centre
capitalise
Reproduction
School program
Reproduction: strategies for survival
School program
Reptile House
Reptile House Behind the Scenes
Wild encounter at Melbourne Zoo
Reptile Picnic Area and Reptile Picnic Shelter
area at Healesville Sanctuary
re-trace
research hut
revegetate
Rip Roaring Feed
Wild encounter at Werribee Open Range Zoo
river-bank
river-bed
river course
Roar ‘n’ Snore
Wild encounter at Melbourne Zoo
Robert Eadie Pavilion
area at Healesville Sanctuary
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rock-dwelling
Roman numerals
avoid: use 1, 2, 3 and so on
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S
Safari Shop
the shop at Werribee Open Range Zoo
Safari Station
where the Safari Tours depart from at Werribee Open Range Zoo
Safari Tour
open bus tour included in the admission price at Werribee Open Range Zoo
Sanctuary
use upper case when referring to Healesville Sanctuary as ‘the Sanctuary’
Sanctuary Harvest Café
facility at Healesville Sanctuary
see catering
Sanctuary Shop
the shop at Healesville Sanctuary
savannah
spell with an h at the end
Savannah Function Centre
facility at Werribee Open Range Zoo
see catering
Savannah Marquee
facility at Werribee Open Range Zoo
see catering
Seal Behind the Scenes
Wild encounter at Melbourne Zoo
Seal the Loop
A Zoos Victoria community conservation campaign that provides the community with the
opportunity to help save marine wildlife through specially designed Seal the Loop bins in
fishing locations on Victoria’s coastline. Based at Melbourne Zoo.
Self-guided challenge
School program
schoolboy, schoolgirl, school children
avoid; use students
schoolroom
avoid; use classroom
school teacher
not schoolteacher
school years
Prep, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Year 7, Year 8, Year 9, Year
10, Year 11, Year 12
scientific names (botany and zoology)
In botany and zoology, the names of the classifications down to the genus level are
capitalised. The species epithet (adjective or term applied to express an attribute) should not
be capitalised.
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The genus, species, subspecies and varietal names are always presented in italics:
There are more than 1,000 species in the genus Acacia. One of the best known is Acacia
baileyana.
In botany, there are five classifications below species level – subspecies, variety, subvariety,
form and subspecific or varietal epithet – and as a result it is necessary to give a descriptive
term before any subspecifc or varietal epithet. This term (for example, ‘subsp.’ or ‘var.’) is
shown in roman type, is usually abbreviated, and is never capitalised. For example:
Although originally widespread in the study area, only a few occurrences were found of
Halosarcia indica subsp. leiostachya.
Sp. = singular species
Spp. = plural species
Varietal epithets should not be capitalised.
Fire and disease caused a decline of the plant Epacris virgata var. autumnalis in the area
surveyed.
In zoology, on the other hand, there is only one classification level, the subspecies, below
that of the species, and so the abbreviation ‘subsp.’ before the subspecifc name is not used.
For example:
The Tasmanian subspecies of the Wedge-tailed Eagle, Aquila audax fleayi, is classed as
vulnerable (do not put in brackets)
In zoology, the specific (first word) is capitalised but the (following) species and sometimes
the (following) third subspecies name is never capitalised.
seasons
spring, summer, autumn, winter, all lower case
self-guided
semicolon
see Punctuation guide
Shadowfax Winery and Vineyard
Sidney Myer World of the Platypus
labeled as Platypus House for visitors (at Melbourne Zoo)
see Punctuation guide
single quotes
single quotes marks (‘quote goes here’) for all uses, including direct speech
Slumber Safari
Wild encounter at Werribee Open Range Zoo
South-east Asia
caps for ‘South’ and ‘Asia’, not ‘east’, hyphenated. Not South East Asia.
south-eastern
see ‘compass points’
Southern Africa
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span of years
1995–1999; but between 1995 and 1999, not between 1995–1999. Always put both years in
full.
Spirits of the Sky
presentation at Healesville Sanctuary
spelling
we use Australian spelling: colour not color; realise not realize; organisation not organization.
We follow the Macquarie Dictionary for the spelling of words; if more than one option is
given, always use the first spelling.
square metres
not the same as metres squared: e.g. 300 metres squared is 90,000 square metres which is
very different to 300 square metres
Spell out square metres – do not abbreviate.
Staff Member
two words
state
state of Victoria, state of Tasmania etc. (lower case ‘s’)
states
preference is to write out in full. If you must abbreviate:
WA, NSW, Qld, Vic, SA, NT and Tas.
Storyteller, storytelling
One word
subspecies
use ‘this subspecies of Common Name’ NOT ‘of the Common Name’
subtropical
one word
stationery
for pens and paper. Not ‘stationary’ as in not moving. To remember, there is an ‘e’ in ‘pen’
and ‘stationery’, and an ‘a’ in ‘car’ and ‘stationary’)
slow-moving
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T
take-away
Tall Order Giraffe Encounter
Wild encounter at Werribee Open Range Zoo
telephone numbers
International code: 61-3
Landline numbers: put area code in brackets, separate into four number lots with space in
between, e.g. Tel: ((03) 9285 9355
Mobile numbers and toll free numbers: separate into four figures, space, three figures,
space, three figures: Tel: 0601 443 344 or Tel: 1800 088 110.
Six figure phone numbers: separate into three figures-space-three figures: Tel: 132 661
When listing contact details use Tel: not Phone: or Ph:
When expressing contact details as part of a sentence, format this way:
For bookings please phone (03) 9285 9355.
Phone (03) 9285 9355 for more information.
Do not use ‘call’.
temperatures
Use Celsius not Fahrenheit, i.e. 30OC
The endangered challenge
School program
The grassland ecosystems
School program
The Royal Melbourne Zoological Gardens
Only use when referencing Melbourne Zoo’s official location
They’re Calling on You
A Zoos Victoria community conservation campaign which involves mobile phone recycling
and raising awareness of illegal coltan mining in Africa. Based at Melbourne Zoo and
Werribee Open Range Zoo
ticket prices
see ‘prices’
ticket purchase points
Tiger Behind the Scenes
Wild encounter at Melbourne Zoo
times
Use the 12-hour clock in am or pm, i.e. 1.00am, 6.30pm, 2.45pm etc; avoid 1 o'clock, halfpast six, a quarter to three, etc; also, do not use 24-hour clock. Use noon and midnight to
avoid confusion. i.e. 12.00 noon or 12.00 midnight.
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titles
Italicise titles of books, films, TV programs, paintings, songs, albums or anything else. Words
in titles take initial caps except for a, and, for, from, in, of, the, to (except if it is the first word
of the name): A Tale of Two Cities, Happy End of the World, Shakespeare in Love, The God
of Small Things, War and Peace, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
Tourist Centre
at Werribee Open Range Zoo
To/too/two
Too’ is too much (there are too many ‘o’s in too’)
Two is the number
Most other instances are ‘to’. ‘We sent the letter to him’, ‘lots of people came to the Zoo
today’, ‘the elephants are going to have their dinner now’.
Trail of the Elephants
a precinct at Melbourne Zoo, previously called Asian Rainforest, which includes: Tiger
Bridge, Trail Kiosk, Community Hall, Village Paddock, World of Bugs & Butterflies, Trail Shop
(Toko Souvenir), Mek Kapah Cafe, Bong Su Conference Centre, Elephant Barn, Barn
Paddock, Forest Paddock, Forest Ranger Station, Orang-utan Sanctuary, Orang-utan
Sanctuary Visitor Centre and Make a Difference.
travelled
two ‘ls’
traveller
two ‘ls’
Tree-Top Apes & Monkeys
exhibit at Melbourne Zoo
T-shirt
not tee-shirt or t-shirt
21st century
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U
ungulates
hoofed animals
urls
see Web words and conventions
utilise
avoid, the word ‘use’ is preferred
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V
Victorian Basalt Plains Grasslands
area at Werribee Open Range Zoo
visitor
term for people visiting our zoos (not guest)
visitor map
not Zoo Map
Volcanic Plains
area at Werribee Open Range Zoo
Volcanic Plains Shelter
area at Werribee Open Range Zoo
Volcanic Plains Trail
area at Werribee Open Range Zoo
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W
Wade with the Platypus
Wild encounter at Healesville Sanctuary
warm-blooded
Wash for Wildlife
A Zoos Victoria community conservation campaign which encourages the community’s
switch to phosphate-free cleaning products. Based at Melbourne Zoo and Healesville
Sanctuary
watercourse
water-hole
water plants
Water Recycling Plant
at Melbourne Zoo
Watersmart garden
at Werribee Open Range Zoo
Wathaurung
Traditional owners on the western side of the Werribee River
wayfinding
one world
wellbeing
one word
well known, better known, best known
The Giraffe is well known for its black tongue, better known for its height but best known
for its commitment to partner for life. We sometimes write 'most well known', which is not
the best usage
Werribee Open Range Zoo
Used when referring to Werribee in external documents, abbreviation of WORZ can be
used in internal documents
Werribee Park Shuttle
Use in reference to the shuttle run by a private company between the Melbourne city
and Werribee Park
Werribee River
Wetlands and waterways
School program
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Wetlands Track
at Healesville Sanctuary
Wetlands Wirribi Yaluk Trail
at Werribee Open Range Zoo
What are you wearing today?
a school program
While
not whilst
Wi-Fi zone
capital ‘W’ and capital ‘F’
Wild encounters
experiences available for purchase at the three properties
Wild Encounters Ranger
Zoo staff who lead visitors on Wild encounters
Wild Sea
Use this for the marine exhibit at Melbourne Zoo, not Wild Seas
Wildlife photography with Steve Parish
School program
Wine and Wildlife Tour
Wild encounter at Healesville Sanctuary
Wipe for Wildlife
A Zoos Victoria community conservation campaign that encourages the community to
help save local wildlife by making the switch to recycled toilet paper and choosing
products with the FSCÆ logo. Based at Healesville Sanctuary and Melbourne Zoo
Woodlands Track
use for the area at Healesville Sanctuary
world-class
world
use lower case, or upper case (The World) if referring to The Earth
World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA)
the unifying organisation for the world zoo and aquarium community
World of Bugs
use this in reference to part of the exhibit at Melbourne Zoo (below)
World of Bugs & Butterflies
exhibit at Melbourne Zoo
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World of Frogs
exhibit at Melbourne Zoo
World of the Platypus
exhibit at Melbourne Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary
worldwide
one word, no hyphen
Wurrundjeri
Traditional owners and members of the Kulin Nations
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X
X-ray
Hyphenated
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Y
Youth leadership program
School program
YouTube
One word
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Z
Zoo
Always capitalise when using to refer to Zoos Victoria, Melbourne Zoo, Healesville
Sanctuary, and Werribee Open Range Zoo. Use lower case when talking about the
plural (zoos) or a zoo in general e.g. ‘the role of a zoo is to fight extinction’.
Zoo and Aquarium Association (Australasia)
The regional zoo association. When abbreviating for external audiences or in formal
communications, use 'the Association' rather than ZAA.
Zoo Bakery
catering outlet at Melbourne Zoo
see catering
Zoo Keeper
upper case when referring to a specific keeper , lower case ‘k’ if referring to Zoo keepers
in general
e.g:
Zoo Keeper, Jo Morris looks forward to holding Bandi, the koala.
All the Zoo keepers look forward to seeing the koala, Bandi.
Zoological Parks and Gardens Board of Victoria (ZPGB)
avoid using acronym if possible: use ‘the Board’ instead
Zoo Member
Capital Z and Capital M
Zoo Photos
photo outlet (located at the Melbourne Zoo Lakeside Plaza Take-away)
Zoo shops
Use this when referring to more than one of the shops at any of the three properties, or
across the properties
Zoo Shop
Melbourne Zoo shop near the main entrance. Don’t use Exit Shop
Zoo SnooZzz
School program
Zoo Twilights
Concerts held at Melbourne Zoo in summer
Zoos Victoria
The collective term for all three properties and our organisation
Zoos Victoria Foundation
The fundraising area of Zoos Victoria
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ZV
avoid – spell out Zoos Victoria
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Punctuation guide
For a more comprehensive treatment of punctuation marks, please refer the Australian
Government Publishing Service Style Manual for Authors, Editors and Printers. A copy is
with design and in the MZ Library, or contact Brier Gough (Ext:448)
Apostrophes
Some plural nouns have no ‘s’, e.g. children. These take an apostrophe and ‘s’ in the
possessive, e.g. children's games, gentlemen's outfitter.
The possessive in words and names ending in ‘s’ takes an apostrophe after the ‘s’
(Jones', James').
Use an apostrophe where the period of time, e.g. two days, modifies a noun. For
example: in two days’ time or 12 years’ imprisonment or six weeks’ holiday.
Do not use apostrophe where the time period is an adverb (i.e. where it modifies an
adjective such as pregnant or old). For example: nine months pregnant or three weeks
old.
Do not put apostrophes into decades: the 1990s.
Round brackets
The main purpose of round brackets (parentheses) is to enclose definitions, comments,
clarifications, additional information or asides.
If the sentence is logically and grammatically complete without the information contained
within the parentheses (round brackets), the punctuation stays outside the brackets. (A
complete sentence that stands alone in parentheses starts with a capital letter and ends
with a stop.)
For example: The Zoos Victoria Style Editorial Guide (the Guide), will help our staff draft
copy that is consistent and clear. (A very important aspect of having professional,
easy-to-read communications for any organisation.)
Colons
Most often used as the pause before a list.
The following articles were found in his pockets: a wallet containing $150 in cash and
credit cards, $5 in coins, an empty cigarette packet and a box of matches.
My circumstances were different from those which existed previously: I was now a
married man with a family and a home of my own, and all the responsibilities that
marriage demands.
Cap when the colon introduces a quotation:
He said: ‘What are you doing?’
Question: ‘What are you doing?’
Answer: ‘You tell me.’
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Lower case when the colon introduces an elaboration, an explanation, an associated
idea:
One thing is plain: we must economise.
This is the position: if we don’t economise, we’re doomed.
Commas
These are punctuation marks whose lack of use or misuse can change the sense of a
sentence.
The following are some simple rules to observe in their usage:
As a substitute for ‘and’ in a list: Oats, corn, maize and barley.
To do the same work as a pair of brackets: Katie, normally a good child, behaved badly.
Normally a comma is not used before the word ‘and’. However, note the following two
exceptions.
Use a comma before ‘and’ to remove ambiguity: ‘thank you to my parents, Ayn Rand,
and God’ as opposed to ‘thank you to my parents, Ayn Rand and God’.
Use a comma before ‘and’ to avoid confusion between two separate clauses: ‘A martini
is made of gin and dry vermouth, and a chilled glass is essential.’
In a sentence, commas should be used before and after any word or phrase that is
subsidiary to the main clause. The words or phrases can then be omitted without the
main stem of the sentence losing sense, thus: John, a big boy for his age, rode his
bicycle, a present from his parents.
Hyphens
Hyphens are used to differentiate when a compound verb has two meanings – as in recover and recover, re-create and recreate, re-form and reform. When no dual meaning
exists the hyphen is not used after re and pre except where the root verb begins with the
same vowel as ends the prefix, as in pre-empt, re-enter. (There are two exceptions to
this rule: pre-paid and pre-purchase.)
Words compounded to make an adjective take a hyphen, as in six-day war, two-airline
system.
Compounds of which the second word is ‘up’ take a hyphen because they are otherwise
hard to read: call-up, hold-up, build-up, but they become two words when used as verbs.
Our general rule is to follow the Macquarie Dictionary. If it does not list it as a single
word or hyphenated, it is generally written as two words.
Do not use hyphens when en dashes are required.
Dashes
There are two main types of dashes: the em dash (—) and the en dash (–). We do not
use em dashes.
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en dashes
Our style is to use a spaced en dash: e.g. space /en dash /space
To introduce an amplification or explanation
They were all on the deck – the sailors, the passengers, even the ship’s cat.
To set apart parenthetic elements (i.e. used in pairs instead of brackets)
The fall in funding threatens our ability to meet our conservation goals – outlined in our
strategic plan – and undermines recent efforts to combat species loss.
The en dash is also used as a linking device (without spaces) to:
Show spans of figures, time and distance
Pages 31–5
75–79 Flinders Street
April–June
2006–2007
Show an association between words that retain their separate identities:
A Commonwealth–state agreement
To type an en-dash hold down the Ctrl key and the negative sign on the numeric keypad.
Ellipses (…)
The ellipsis consists of three evenly spaced dots (periods) with spaces between the
ellipsis and surrounding letters or other marks. An ellipsis shows that words have been
omitted from a quotation, words whose omission does not change the meaning of the
quotation. Use an ellipsis when you don't need to use the whole quotation.
There is no need to use an ellipsis at the beginning or end of a quotation unless it is, for
some reason, important to emphasise that some language has been omitted.
Exclamation marks
Exclamation marks are for exclamations, thus: oh! or ouch! or, ‘Never!’ she cried. They
are not used for emphasis. Use exclamation marks sparingly, if at all.
Full stops
Sentences marked by full stops normally represent a discrete or distinct statement; more
closely connected or complementary statements are joined by a semicolon (see below).
The following are examples of when full stops should not be used:
•
•
•
•
At the end of a title of a book or chapter
After headings and subheadings
After captions that are not complete sentences
With a sentence that ends with a url see Web words and conventions
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Quotation marks
Direct speech
Use single quotation marks at the start and end of a quoted section, with double quotes
for quoted words within that section. Place full stops and commas inside the quotes for a
complete quoted sentence. ‘Your style guide needs updating,’ Mary said.
For incomplete quotes, the full stop comes outside the quote. Mary said she did not have
time to update the style guide as it was ‘a difficult and time-consuming task’.
When beginning a quote with a sentence fragment that is followed by a full sentence,
punctuate according to the final part of the quote, e.g. The minister called the allegations
‘blatant lies. But in a position such as mine, it is only to be expected.’
Other uses of quotation marks
Use single quotation marks when referring to the title of an unpublished document, a
chapter in a published work, an article in a periodical, an essay, or a lecture:
Morris delivered his lecture, ‘Australian conservation efforts to preserve the Basalt
Plains’, clearly and persuasively.
Quotation marks can also be used in a number of other situations:
For a technical term on its first mention in a non-technical document
For ironic emphasis (the ‘policy’ was never approved and certainly never implemented)
For colloquial words, nicknames, slang or humorous words in formal writing (they called
him ‘Mad Dog’ Michael). The quotation marks are usually unnecessary in subsequent
mentions – although they are a possibility if the subsequent mention is a long way from
the first.
Semicolons
Semicolons are heavier than a comma but of less weight than a full stop or colon. A
semicolon commonly connects two sentences whose thoughts the author wants to link
closely, as in:
The candidate could not be said to give a very good impression; he looked as if he
needed a good wash.
The enemy machine-gunners were difficult to dislodge; they held out to the end with
complete devotion.
In both cases the semicolon could have been replaced by a full stop, but the effect might
have been too disjointed or jerky.
The semicolon is also used to divide balancing statements, as in:
Some of the boys wanted a break for coffee; others wanted to keep working.
Zoos Victoria’s style guide is edited by Jacquie O’Brien, [email protected] (Ext: 740)
Last updated 20 June 2013
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Lists and bullet points
Lists are an effective tool for brevity and to draw attention, and should be used
particularly for website content where readers scan material.
If the list is pre-empted by an introductory phrase, e.g. ‘such as’, use a colon after the
introductory phrase to separate it from the list.
Bulleted lists:
• Use dots for bulleted lists (not arrows, stars or smiley faces), except when a
bulleted list contains a secondary list (in this case the main list should use dot
points and the secondary list should use dashes)
• Capitalise the first word for every bulleted point – this applies to full sentences
and sentence fragments
• Do not use any punctuation at the end of bulleted points
Numbered lists:
1. Do not use roman numerals (I, II, IV, XI). Only use standard numerals
2. Capitalise the first word for every numbered point – this applies to full sentences
and sentence fragments
3. Do not use any punctuation at the end of numbered points
Zoos Victoria’s style guide is edited by Jacquie O’Brien, [email protected] (Ext: 740)
Last updated 20 June 2013
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Inclusive language
Non-sexist expressions
Our use of language should reflect changes in society and our values. Phrases such as
career girl or career woman, for example, are outdated and patronising (there is no male
equivalent): never use them. Businessmen, housewives, male nurse, woman pilot,
woman (or lady!) doctor similarly reinforce outdated stereotypes.
Actor and comedian, cover men and women; not actress, comedienne (but waiter and
waitress are acceptable ).
Use humankind or humanity rather than mankind.
Never say ‘his’ to cover men and women: use his or her, or a different construction. In
sentences such as ‘a teacher who beats his/her pupils is not fit to do the job’, there is
usually a way round the problem – in this case, ‘teachers who beat their pupils …’
Disability
Put people first, not their disability. Expressions such as ‘the disabled’ or ‘epileptics’ or ‘a
diabetic’ depersonalise their subjects.
Do not sensationalise a disability by saying ‘afflicted with’, ‘suffering from’, ‘victim of’, etc.
Instead, say a person who was born with Downs Syndrome … a boy who is blind … a
woman who has learning difficulties, etc.
Instead of ‘a disabled person’ say ‘a person with a disability’
Emphasise abilities, not limitations: ‘uses a wheelchair’ is preferable to ‘confined to a
wheelchair’; walks with crutches is better than ‘crippled’ or ‘dependent on crutches’.
Do not use adjectives as nouns, i.e. use ‘elderly people’ instead of ‘the elderly’.
Accessible toilet is the correct title, not disabled toilets
Zoos Victoria’s style guide is edited by Jacquie O’Brien, [email protected] (Ext: 740)
Last updated 20 June 2013
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Web words and conventions
click here
avoid this expression (provides no context for people using screen readers). A better
alternative is Find out more…
email
not e-mail
email address
[email protected]
no underlining
urls (uniform resource locator)
no http:// prefix unless the www prefix is omitted; no angled brackets or underlining
e-expressions
Except at the start of a sentence, the e- is lower case and hyphenated: e-business, ecommerce, e-news. Note email is not hyphenated.
internet
all lower case, except when at the start of a sentence
intranet
all lower case, except when at the start of a sentence
online
not on-line
PDF
The acronym for portable document format, which is a file format for Adobe Acrobat.
Always use upper case.
the net (and internet)
web, web page, website and world wide web
website addresses
Also known as urls. No http:// prefix; no angled brackets or underlining.
Use www.zoo.org.au when in text. Do not use http://www.zoo.org.au
zoo.org.au is also an accepted expression when used in dialogue such as radio or
television interviews or advertising.
If you are including a url in a sentence, and that url is the last thing in the sentence, do
not end the sentence with a full stop.
Zoos Victoria’s style guide is edited by Jacquie O’Brien, [email protected] (Ext: 740)
Last updated 20 June 2013
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Animals in our collection
Below are the correct spellings of the animals in our collection with capitalisation and
hyphens where appropriate. The names of some of the individuals are also listed. This
shouldn’t be treated as an inventory as it changes regularly but is a reference point for
the correct spelling.
Addax
Chari – WORZ
Raffaello - WORZ
African Wild Dog
Dee – WORZ
Gale – WORZ
Swirl – WORZ
Shell – WORZ
Laura – WORZ
Arusha – WORZ
Haidee
Alpine She-oak Skink
Antelopes
Asian Elephant
Bong Su - male elephant at MZ
Dokkoon - female elephants at MZ
Kulab - female elephants at MZ
Mek Kapah - oldest female elephant at MZ
Num-Oi - female elephants at MZ
Mali - young female elephant at MZ
Ongard - young male elephant at MZ
Sanook – young male elephant at MZ
Australian Fur Seal
Tarwin – MZ
Gordo -MZ
Australian Pelican
Barking Owl
Baw Baw Frog
Bear
Bison
Black Kite
Zoos Victoria’s style guide is edited by Jacquie O’Brien, [email protected] (Ext: 740)
Last updated 20 June 2013
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River
Black-breasted Buzzard
Bernice
Beatrice
Black-headed Python
Brolgas
Brush Turkeys
Camels
Centralian Python
Cheetah
Inkosana - WORZ
Kaidi - WORZ
Coati
Cotton-top Tamarin
Crocodile
Dingo
Kuma - HS
Manuka - HS
Ernie - HS
Macreadie - HS
Tambo - HS
Jinda - HS
Eastern Barred Bandicoot
Eastern Bearded Dragon
Eastern Bongo
Echidna
Emu
Foils - HS
Ernie - HS
Fruit Bat
Giant Tortoise
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Last updated 20 June 2013
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Giraffe
Kinta – male giraffe at WORZ
Kona – male giraffe at WORZ
Thembi – male giraffe at WORZ
Amani – male giraffe at WORZ
Harold – male giraffe at WORZ
Ajali – male giraffe at WORZ
Jelani – male giraffe at WORZ
Goanna
Gorilla
Rigo – male gorilla at MZ
Yuksa - female gorilla at MZ
Julia - female gorilla at MZ
Johari - female gorilla at MZ
Mbeli - female gorilla at MZ
G-Anne – gorilla at MZ
Motaba – male gorilla at WORZ
Ganyeka - male gorilla at WORZ
Yakini - male gorilla at WORZ
Guthega Skink
Hamadryas Baboon
Helmeted Honeyeater
Hippopotamus
Harry – male hippopotamus at WORZ
Primrose – female hippopotamus at WORZ
Brindabella – female hippopotamus at WORZ
Tulip – female hippopotamus at WORZ
Lotus – female hippopotamus at WORZ
Kangaroo
Koala
Benni – koala at HS. Correct spelling is with an ‘I’ as he was named after the Bennison
family who used to bring wild Koalas to the Sanctuary in the 1930s to add to the
collection
Emily – female koala at HS
Hamish – koala at HS
Marla – koala at HS
Dor – koala at HS
Lyla – koala at HS
Prickles – koala at HS
Kookaburra
Zoos Victoria’s style guide is edited by Jacquie O’Brien, [email protected] (Ext: 740)
Last updated 20 June 2013
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Lace Monitor
Leadbeater’s Possum
Lemur
Lion
Tonyi - male lion at WORZ
Tombo - male lion at WORZ
Jarrah - female lion at WORZ
Johari - lion at WORZ
Little Penguin
Long-billed Corella
Kevin – male long-billed corella at HS
Lord Howe Island Stick Insect
Lyrebird
Nova - HS
Reefton - HS
Mandrills
Meerkat
Mountain Pygmy-possum
Orange-bellied Parrot
Ostrich/Ostriches
Otter
Peccary/Peccaries
Philippines Crocodile
Platypus
Fleay- HS
Millson - HS
Waddirrang - HS
Ember - HS
Yamacoona - HS
Alooka - HS
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Last updated 20 June 2013
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Przewalski Horse
Tia - female Przewalski Horse at WORZ
Mahan - female Przewalski Horse at WORZ
Godan - male Przewalski Horse at WORZ
Nikolai - male Przewalski Horse at WORZ
Tonall - Przewalski Horse at WORZ
Kolya - Przewalski Horse at WORZ
Pygmy Hippopotamus
Red Kangaroo
Red Panda
Red-tailed Black Cockatoo
Pinjari - HS
Karak - HS
Bobby - HS
Regent Honeyeater
Rhinoceros
Umgana - male rhinoceros at WORZ
Leeroy - male rhinoceros at WORZ
Kapamba - male rhinoceros at WORZ
Make - female rhinoceros at WORZ
Likwezi - female rhinoceros at WORZ
Lataba - female rhinoceros at WORZ
Si Si - female rhinoceros at WORZ
Rock-Wallaby
Scimitar-horned Oryx
Voyager – female Scimitar-horned Oryx at WORZ
Hockey– female Scimitar-horned Oryx at WORZ
Nefertiti - Scimitar-horned Oryx at WORZ
Al-Maha - Scimitar-horned Oryx at WORZ
Monarto - Scimitar-horned Oryx at WORZ
Morocco - Scimitar-horned Oryx at WORZ
Serval
Nanki - female serval at WORZ
Tula - female serval at WORZ
Morili - serval at WORZ
Southern Corroboree Frog
Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat
Nullabor - MZ
Zoos Victoria’s style guide is edited by Jacquie O’Brien, [email protected] (Ext: 740)
Last updated 20 June 2013
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Spotted Tree Frog
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Quazzie - HS
Kallista - HS
Sumatran Orang-utan
Sumatran Tiger
Binjai - female Sumatran Tiger at MZ
Aceh - male Sumatran Tiger at MZ
Hutan - male Sumatran Tiger at MZ
Indrah - female Sumatran Tiger at MZ
Rani - female Sumatran Tiger at MZ
Tasmanian Devil
Tree-Kangaroo
Vervet Monkey
Elle-Jay - female Vervet Monkey at WORZ
Mbozi - Vervet Monkey at WORZ
Kay-Gee - Vervet Monkey at WORZ
Funky - Vervet Monkey at WORZ
Kipili - Vervet Monkey at WORZ
Wallaby
Water Rat
Wylie - HS
Wadam - HS
Wacey - HS
Boris - HS
Wedge-tailed Eagle
Jess - female Wedged-tailed Eagle at HS
Magra - female Wedged-tailed Eagle at HS
Wombat
Zebra
Bill - male zebra at WORZ
Sabe - male zebra at WORZ
Storm – zebra at WORZ – scheduled to move to Monarto, SA in 2013
Kicheko – zebra at WORZ
Zoos Victoria’s style guide is edited by Jacquie O’Brien, [email protected] (Ext: 740)
Last updated 20 June 2013
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Priority native threatened species
Alpine She-oak Skink
Baw Baw Frog
Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby
Eastern Barred Bandicoot
Grassland Earless Dragon
Guthega Skink
Helmeted Honeyeater
(no hyphens)
Leadbeater's Possum
Mountain Pygmy Possum
New Holland Mouse
Northern Corroboree Frog
Orange-bellied Parrot
Regent Honeyeater
Smoky Mouse
(not Smokey Mouse)
Southern Bent-wing Bat
Southern Corroboree Frog
Spotted Tree Frog
Lord Howe Island Stick Insect
Stuttering Frog
Tasmanian Devil
Zoos Victoria’s style guide is edited by Jacquie O’Brien, [email protected] (Ext: 740)
Last updated 20 June 2013
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