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If you are using the plural form of an acronym do not use an apostrophe between it and the s.

Example:
CMAs are located throughout Victoria. (not CMA’s)

Ampersands (&)

Ampersands should not be used when refering to DELWP or any other government department or agency.

In text, write the name in full: Department of Environment, Land, Water and
Planning. Ampersands are not widely used in titles.

This rule applies across the department: People and Culture, not People & Culture; Energy, Environment
and Climate Change, not Energy, Environment & Climate Change.

Spelling

To check spelling, consult an Australian English dictionary. Or if you are using your computer’s spellchecker,
make sure it’s set to Australian spelling, such as:
• Colour not color

• Program not programme
• Civilise not civilize
• Behaviour not behavior

Effect or affect
effect is a noun, the outcome of an action:
The winter rainfall was high. The effect on the state’s water supply was encouraging.

affect is a verb, an action being performed:
Staff engagement was positively affected by targeted internal communications.

Advice or Advise
advice is a noun, the outcome of an action:
The committee took Mrs Jones’s advice seriously.
advise is a verb, an action being performed:

The committee advised Mrs Jones of the outcome.

Punctuation

Apostrophes and acronyms:
Do not use apostrophes with plurals.

Example:
CMAs are located throughout Victoria. NOT CMA’s are located throughout Victoria

Dates:

Apostrophes should only be used in days, dates and years to show possession/ownership, not to make them
plural. The addition of an apostrophe in a day, date or year indicates the subject of the sentence belongs to
or occurred on/in that day/date/year.

6 Writing with style
Our guide to better writing and reaching your readers