When writing in Australian English, it’s essential to understand and apply specific rules that distinguish it from other forms of English, such as American or British English. Here are ten good rules to follow:
- Use Australian Spelling Standards: Opt for Australian spelling preferences over American ones. For example, use ‘-re’ instead of ‘-er’ (theatre, not theater), ‘-our’ instead of ‘-or’ (colour, not color), and ‘-ise’ instead of ‘-ize’ (realise, not realize)[1][3].
- Consistency is Key: Once you choose Australian English standards, be consistent throughout your document. This includes spelling, punctuation, and grammar rules[1].
- Understand the Role of Vowels and Consonants: Recognize vowels (a, e, i, o, u) and consonants (the other 21 letters of the alphabet) as the basic building blocks of words, which can help in understanding spelling and pronunciation[1].
- Memorize Exceptions: Some words do not follow regular spelling rules and simply need to be memorized. Examples include words like ‘column’, ‘debt’, ‘rhythm’, and ‘subtle'[1].
- Use Correct Punctuation: Australian English has specific punctuation rules, such as not using the serial comma before “and” in lists and placing periods and commas outside of quotation marks[3].
- Apply Correct Grammar for Collective Nouns: Australian English often treats collective nouns as plural, using verbs that agree in the plural form, which differs from American usage[3].
- Choose the Right Word Form: Be mindful of differences in word forms between Australian and American English, such as ‘judgement’ (Australian) versus ‘judgment’ (American)[3].
- Read Aloud for Rhythm: To ensure your writing flows well, read it aloud. This can help you catch awkward phrasing and ensure the rhythm of your sentences is natural[2].
- Edit Mercilessly: Eliminate unnecessary words and phrases to make your writing clearer and more concise. This includes being wary of overused phrases and clichés[2].
- Seek Feedback and Revise: Writing is a process that involves drafting, seeking feedback, and revising. Use tools like spelling and grammar checkers set to Australian English, but also rely on feedback from trusted readers to improve your work[2][4].
By adhering to these rules, you ensure that your writing is not only correct in terms of Australian English standards but also clear, engaging, and effective.
Tools to help you include ProWritingAid (my favourite) and Grammarly—check out this comparison. Both work really well with Microsoft Word.
Citations:
[1] https://www.une.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/392126/WC_Spelling-rules.pdf
[2] https://www.theguardian.com/books/2010/feb/20/ten-rules-for-writing-fiction-part-one
[3] https://www.verblio.com/blog/write-australian-english
[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7vQ5nGKDg8
[5] https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/resources/national-literacy-and-numeracy-learning-progressions/national-literacy-learning-progression/writing/?scaleId=0&subElementId=50968
[6] https://services.anu.edu.au/marketing-outreach/storytelling-writing/writing-style-guide
[7] https://www.stylemanual.gov.au/grammar-punctuation-and-conventions/numbers-and-measurements/choosing-numerals-or-words
[8] https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/english-grammar-rules-101-10-essential-rules-to-improving-your-writing-speaking-and-literature-skills-for-students-and-beginners.do