Italics
Due to poor readability, avoid using large blocks of italics, particularly in online content. If you need to emphasise a word in a unit use bold instead. However, in SOME cases it is technically necessary, for example citing legislative acts, botanical names etc.
In these cases the correct format of the information MUST be retained as we need to demonstrate the correct format to the students that will often be tested on these formats. IDs should be familiar with formatting of legal acts, botanical names and SI units and ensure these are maintained in both HTML and print LGs.
When to use italics:
Use italics to follow referencing standards, for example at the end of a unit when listing the references such as the title of a publication or document.
Titles of books, periodicals, newspapers, plays, long poems, most musical works, operas and ballets, films, videos, television and radio programs, works of art. (Note: capitalisation should remain as per the original)
e.g. Voss, Hamlet, Annie Hall, The Prelude, Pictures From an Exhibition, Blue Poles, The Australian, Quadrant
Titles of publications, documents, and brochures.
e.g. The Strategic Plan, Learning and wellbeing framework
Names of ships, aircraft and other vehicles.
e.g. HMAS Brisbane, Voyager 2, Southern Cross, Bluebird
Titles of Acts of Parliament (the first time they are referred to). Note: the jurisdiction is abbreviated and placed in parentheses and Roman type.
Mining Act 1968 (Qld)
Scientific names of plants and animals.
Callistemon viminalis, Canis lupus
Defining a term
e.g. settlement date means ‘the date ownership is transferred’
Foreign words and phrases that have not been fully absorbed into English. It may be difficult to decide whether words have been fully absorbed. The Macquarie Dictionary does not distinguish between them. If unsure, do not use italics for foreign words.
coup de grace, habeas corpus