About the manual
The Biotext content manual is an Australian-based resource designed to help anyone who plans, writes, edits and designs complex information.
You can use the manual to:
- complement your existing style and content guides when you need detailed guidance for complex information
- guide all of your content creation, whether you are communicating technical, complex or general information
- find detailed guidance for specific content tasks such as strategy, writing, editing and data visualisation
- understand the language, terminology and conventions used in different subject areas
- search for specific content tips as you need them.
Australian Government organisations can use the Biotext content manual to supplement the Australian Government Style manual(Opens in a new tab/window) and Australian Government Content strategy guide(Opens in a new tab/window) when you need more detailed content guidance. The Biotext content manual does not aim to reproduce the guidance provided by these government resources.
The Biotext content manual was developed from Biotext’s decades of experience in communicating complex information through writing, editing and designing for both print and digital formats. It evolved from our previous products, the Australian manual of style (AMOS) and the Australian manual of scientific style. The content was developed by our experienced content specialists and informed by discipline experts.
This manual continues to evolve based on new research, improvements in best-practice content strategy and production, and the needs of our users. If you have any feedback on the manual, please contact us.
Need more help turning your complex information into effective content? Check out our training courses(Opens in a new tab/window) and downloadable resources, or get in touch about our content services(Opens in a new tab/window).
How to cite
In text
The following in-text citation styles can be used when citing the Biotext content manual, depending on the context.
Author–date:
‘… throughout the content lifecycle (Biotext 2024).’
‘… guidance recommended by Biotext (2024).’
Hyperlinked website:
‘… guidance outlined in the Biotext content manual.’
Hyperlinked webpage:
‘… species names as outlined in Names of organisms.’
In a reference list
Biotext (2024). Biotext content manual, Biotext, Canberra, accessed [date], https://contentmanual.com.au.
Publication details
Biotext content manual
Published by Biotext Pty Ltd
Canberra, Australia
contentmanual.com.au
First published in 2024
Text and illustrations copyright © Biotext Pty Ltd 2024
Written by Biotext Pty Ltd
Illustrations by Biotext Pty Ltd, unless otherwise cited
Contributors
The Biotext content manual is the culmination of decades of Biotext experience in writing, editing, design, scientific research, data analysis and visualisation, content strategy, web development, communication and project management.
We gratefully acknowledge the contributions of experts, partners and users in developing the manual.
Content was developed and produced by current and former Biotext team members: Hannah Angus, Hilary Cadman, Rachael Dash, Carrie DeHaan, Malini Devadas, Kirsten Duncan, Kylie Evans, Andina Faragher, Andrew Fleming, Lyndal Fleming, Darren Goossens, Jason Gray, Emily Henkel, Julie Irish, Tim Meyen, Sarah Olesen, Louise Radloff, Janna Randell, Janet Salisbury, Richard Stanford, An Van den Borre, Carolyn Weiller, Caitlin Whiteman, James Wilmot.
We thank the Department of Linguistics, Macquarie University, for content and research – particularly Caroline Birch and Pam Peters.
We thank everyone from the editing and communications community who helped to guide the development of the manual by completing surveys and contacting Biotext.
Special thanks and acknowledgement go to our reviewers: Accessibility Oz, Hilary Cadman, Judith Flanagan, Adrian Gibbs, Meg Heaslop, Paul Holper, David Jauncey, Kath Kovac, Rob Morrison, Mary O’Callagan, Sheridan Roberts, Becky Schmidt, An Van den Borre, Irene Wong, Sally Woollett.
We also thank Irene Wong for permission to include some of her work in the manual.