Te Papa Style Guide – English
Revised April 2020
What is the Style Guide?
The Te Papa Style Guide presents our ‘house style’ – the conventions we use in written English, in print and on-screen. The Writing Team is expected to be the most familiar with the content, but the guide is also intended as a reference for others involved in writing, editing, or translating:
- exhibitions and displays
- visitor publications
- website content
- marketing material
- wayfinding signage.
Why have a house style?
Te Papa’s reputation is built on delivering high quality. The text we produce reaches readers around New Zealand and the world – nearly 5 million physical and website visitors. Clear, engaging English is vital. Consistency, too, is important – it helps readers to access information and is a mark of professionalism.
On a practical level, a house style aids decision-making and results in greater efficiency.
Using the Style Guide
This is an A–Z guide. Printing it is not necessarily wise – the content is regularly updated, and it’s also long!
Instead, search for a keyword or phrase (‘Control F’ for ‘Find') or browse headwords. Then, if necessary, print the relevant page or pages.
It’s also available, and easier to search, on Github – start at the A–Z section.
Useful references
Web writing guide for www.tepapa.govt.nz
New Zealand Oxford Dictionary
Cambridge Guide to English Usage – Pam Peters, Cambridge University Press (referred to as Peters in text)
Chicago Manual of Style Online (for login user name and password, contact a Te Papa Liaison Librarian)
Style Book: A Guide for New Zealand Writers and Editors – Derek Wallace, Janet Hughes, GP Publications (out of print)
Meanings and Messages: Language Guidelines for Museum Exhibitions – Linda Ferguson, Carolyn MacLulich, Louise Ravelli, Australian Museum
Better Business Writing on the Web – Rachel McAlpine, CC Press