Capitals, emphasis and italics

Use capitals for the first letter of names of organisations, institutions and legislation. For example:

Department of Foreign Affairs

House of Representatives

Act of Federal Parliament

the Federal Government.

Note the use of the capital ‘G’ for government when referring to a specific entity.

When you refer to the specific title of a book, article, report, newspaper or Act of parliament, you need to emphasise the title. In handwritten work this can be done by underlining the title. If you are using a computer, use italics instead to show emphasis.

Furthermore, parliamentary Acts and Bills are written and emphasised in the following manner:

• Telecommunication Act 1988
• Defence Amendment Bill.

Numbers, dates and percentages

If a number is two digits or more (10, 100) use the actual numerical form. For one-digit numbers, write the word for the number (for example, ‘five’). The words ‘per cent’ should always be written as two words (for example ‘10 per cent’). Some academic disciplines allow the use of the percentage abbreviation ‘%’, so check whether this is permissible in your case. However, you should always write in letters any number, including years, when it begins or ends a sentence.Dates and times should be written in the following way:

• 10.30 a.m.
• June 25, or 25 June 2000
• 1990s.

Tables, figures and diagrams

Sometimes tables, figures and diagrams are necessary to explain or enhance complex ideas or information. Specific disciplines will have their own requirements, but generally tables, figures and diagrams should be placed in an appendix at the end of your essay. Make sure to give each item a heading and a reference. Visual representations of information should only be considered as additions to the written part of your essay, not as a replacement for writing about the information contained in the table, figure or diagram.