Clear language

We recommend you base your writing style on The Australian Style Guide^[1] (free registration required).

If you prefer to use another discipline-specific manual, the RMIT Open Publishing Team will work with you.  You will need to ensure that the RMIT Open Publishing Team has access to any alternative style manual.

Record which style manual you choose. Document any exceptions to the style manual clearly in your Style Sheet.

Inclusive language

Use language which recognises differences and acknowledges that some groups may be historically marginalised or disadvantaged.  Considered language is one way of ensuring diverse representation in your text.

Be aware that language about cultural, sexual and gender identities is evolving.

Use the Australian Style Guide and/or the Australian Government Style Manual ^[2] for guidance, but if possible, consult with individuals or community groups about the language conventions they prefer.

Document your decisions in your Style Sheet.

Consider:

• preferred forms of address
• preferred naming conventions
• preferred pronouns
• sensitivities around human age, gender and ability.

First Nations people

Language

The Australian Government Style Guide has excellent guidance on culturally appropriate language for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT Open Press strongly encourages all authors to include an Acknowledgement of Country in their book front matter.  You can use the Acknowledgement in this publication, or write your own.

Acknowledging First Nations sources

When referring to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, see the Australian Style Guide, or consult with the groups or individuals you are writing about.

For other First Nations people, seek documentation from or consultation with representatives of the groups you are writing about.

Consider the inclusion of First Nations place or group names when referencing or attributing your sources, even if your chosen referencing style does not specify First Nations conventions.

Consider the inclusion of traditional naming conventions and honorifics in in-text citations, such as Aunty or Uncle when citing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders.^[3]

In some cases, it may be particularly important to include the Nation/Clan/Community/Language Group when referencing any form of traditional or cultural knowledge.^[5][6]

Resources for acknowledging First Nations people

Consult widely when determining how best to acknowledge First Nations sources and document your decisions in your Style Sheet.

Some resources which may be helpful:

MacLeod, L. (2021). More than personal communication: Templates for citing Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers. KULA: Knowledge Creation, Dissemination, and Preservation Studies , 5(1), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.18357/kula.135

Southern Cross University. (2022). APA 7th referencing guide: Indigenous Knowledge. https://libguides.scu.edu.au/apa/indigenous-knowledge

UTS Library. (2022). Indigenous perspectives and practices: referencing Indigenous materials. https://studyguides.lib.uts.edu.au/indigenous/referencing

Younging, G. (2018). Elements of Indigenous style : A guide for writing by and about Indigenous Peoples. Brush Education.

Age

Consider the preferences of groups you are writing about.

Follow the Australian Style Guide on age sensitivities, and on the use of numerals and hyphenation conventions when designating ages and age ranges.

Consider diversity when describing real or imagined populations.  See Chapter 5 for guidance.

Gender

Consider whether to use gender-neutral language where gender is not specifically relevant to the context, or whether to specify gender to ensure diverse representation in your text.

Determine individuals’ preferred pronouns, noting that some individuals prefer to use gender-neutral pronouns, and record your decisions in your Style Sheet.

Follow the Australian Style Guide for specific guidance.

Disability

Engage with the preferences of groups or individuals you are writing about and record your decisions in your Style Sheet. The National Center on Disability and Journalism provides guidance on issues to consider.^[7]

Be aware of language that may be experienced as judgemental or contextually irrelevant by an individual or group you are referring to.  This may include language that assumes disability to be a medical issue, such as ‘impairment’, ‘abnormality’ or ‘disorder’.

Consider whether or not to refer to disability in teaching examples, even where it is not specifically relevant to the context, to ensure diverse representation.

Person-first versus identity-first language

Understand the difference between person-first and identity-first language.

• Person-first language puts the person before their condition or disability.
• Identity-first language puts a person’s condition or disability before the person.

Many style manuals, including the Australian Style Guide, state that you should use person-first language when writing about disability.  However, many disability communities strongly advocate for identity-first language.  Where possible, understand the preferences of the individuals or groups you are writing about.