SJC-style-and-production-guide-2012

on an organisation’s image and reputation, by making it appear part of that community.compare with is preferred to ‘compare to’. Contrast with is also preferred.complement/compliment Complement: that which makes perfect or whole, one of two thingsthat go together, as in ‘He said heritage listing would complement existing protections’.Compliment: an expression of praise.congenial/congenital are often confused. The first means a person with an agreeable, pleasantmanner; the second is a person with an inherited disease or characteristic.contractions Contractions (‘can’t’, ‘won’t’, ‘haven’t’, etc) should NOT be used outside quotesin print news writing. However, when a person quoted uses a contraction, as most people do inspeech, then write the contraction. Contractions are used more in broadcast reporting.consensus means agreement within a group, so it is tautological to say ‘consensus of opinion’ or‘general consensus’.contemptible describes behaviour or an attitude deserving of contempt. Contemptuous is alook or statement, showing contempt.continual/continuous The first means proceeding without interruption: ‘central police stationis open continually’; the second is a string of linked events: ‘West Coast looked like beingcontinuous premiers’.councillor/counsellor Note that councillors serve on councils and counsellors counsel peopleabout their problems.court martial (n) court-martial (v) courts martial (pl) court-martialled (past tense).creative commons encourages authors and other creative people to donate selected writings,music, video, and other works for free exchange in the public domain, principally, the internet.credible a believable person; credulous a person too ready to believe others.crisis The word should not be used loosely for any awkward, dangerous or serious situation. Itmeans a point at which a decisive change for better or worse is imminent; a turning point.cross-examination uses a hyphen, otherwise it is simply a bad-tempered scrutiny.crucial often wrongly used to mean important. It means involving a final and supreme decision.curb and kerb are often confused. To curb speech is to limit or censor. The kerb is the hardedging to a road usually made from stone or concrete.currant and current are often confused. The first is a dried fruit; the second is fluid movement:water, air or electricity. The second can also mean up to date, ‘current thinking’.cyclone is a strong wind in Australia, which does not have hurricanes, typhoons or tornados.cypress a tree in western NSW and Qld. Cyprus the country in the Mediterranean.dangling modifiers Dangling (or unattached) modifiers are a pernicious blight on writing.Fighting for her life, the horrifying attack left X in a critical condition in hospital.Depressed and unhappy, his work began to suffer.Still standing after 100 years, he plans to restore the building to its former glory.DUQ SJC STYLEBOOK 2012 – PAGE 34