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Use a forward slash (or stroke) as a substitute for or with no space on either side, except when either of the separated items themselves include spaces.

  • male/female
  • Y/N
  • n/a
  • names and titles / words and spelling
  • lecturer / senior lecturer / associate professor / professor

When writing for the web

Online, the spaces on either side of the slash can be omitted or inserted as needed to avoid unintentional/misleading line breaks.

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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