SJC-style-and-production-guide-2012

The reader of such a quote has no idea that the speaker quoted is not an ARU spokespersonuntil the quote is complete. The reader has understood the quote to be from someone else as itis being read and has a right to be intensely irritated to find the context assumed is wrong.See also attribution, comma, ellipsis.disc/disk Use ‘disk’ to refer to a computer disk, but ‘disc’ to refer to other flat, round objects.discreet tactful; discrete distinct.disinterested is often confused with uninterested. Disinterested means not involved, having nopart of, so unbiased. Often used to describe somebody who is independent by dint of havingnothing to gain financially from participating in a debate or decision. Thus, councillors orcompany board members make sure they are absent from voting on matters where they have afinancial investment, making themselves disinterested. Uninterested means finding somethingnot interesting; of no concern.disoriented should be used instead of the non-word, disorientated. ‘People may becomedisoriented when they are suffering emotional or drug induced stress’.dissociate should be used instead of the non-word disassociated. To end an association withsomebody or something. Can be permanent or temporary. ‘The managing director dissociatedherself from the port development decision, as she had always opposed any change to theport’.distract and detract are often confused. To distract somebody is to draw their attention away.‘The reporter was distracted from her work by constant interruptions from colleagues’. Onthe other hand, a detraction is a scaling down or devaluing. ‘The reporter’s shyness tended todetract from her considerable talent as a reporter’.downsize misleading management speak meaning to sack staff. Don’t use.Dr used as an honorific for medical practitioners, dentists, vets and PhDs. Not used for specialistsurgeons. They are Mr, Mrs, Ms or Miss. Use the word doctor alone only to refer to medicalpractitioners.draft an unedited or unfinished piece of writing. Not the final version. It can also mean cattledrafting (sorting), or to describe the occupation draftsman or draftswoman.draught is a cold breeze, cold beer on tap, or the depth of a ship’s hull underwater.drugs can be prescription or non prescription. Do not use ‘party drugs’ or ‘recreational users’unless in a quote, as they may be inaccurate or give a halo of approval when that may not beintended.duel and dual are often confused. The first is a fight to protect honour, traditionally when thegauntlet (glove) is thrown down as a challenge to fight over a woman’s heart; the second istwo things occur together: dual projects, dual wheels on trucks etc.dyeing cloth; dying from wounds.PAGE 37 – 2012UQ SJC STYLEBOOK