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Use a colon to introduce a list or to separate a title from a subtitle. Use lower case after a colon when introducing a list and a capital letter after a colon within a title/heading/headline.

  • Your email signature must include: your name, job title, department, mobile number and web address.
  • Bodies and bugs: Curious kids doing cool science

However, if a list is preceded by a heading, no colon is necessary.

  • FORMER PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES:

  • John F Kennedy
  • George W Bush
  • Bill Clinton
  • Andrew Jackson

About the Writing Style Guide

This guide is designed to help ensure writing style – whether for internal or external audiences, written for print or online – is consistent and maintains a professional standard across the University. It is not designed for academic writing.

Feedback

Please send any feedback – including reports of errors or requests for changes – to writing.style@otago.ac.nz

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