Let k be an algebraically closed field of any characteristic except 2, and let G = GLn(k) be the general linear group, regarded as an algebraic group over k. Using an algebro-geometric argument and Dynkin–Kostant theory for G we begin by obtaining a canonical form for nilpotent Ad(G)-orbits in (k) which is symmetric with respect to the non-main diagonal (i.e. it is fixed by the map f : (xi,j) ↦ (xn+1−j,n+1−i)), with entries in {0,1}. We then show how to modify this form slightly in order to satisfy a non-degenerate symmetric or skew-symmetric bilinear form, assuming that the orbit does not vanish in the presence of such a form. Replacing G by any simple classical algebraic group we thus obtain a unified approach to computing representatives for nilpotent orbits of all classical Lie algebras. By applying Springer morphisms, this also yields representatives for the corresponding unipotent classes in G. As a corollary we obtain a complete set of generic canonical representatives for the unipotent classes in finite general unitary groups GUn(q) for all prime powers q.