What is CIDP? Is a SQUID an animal or a scientific instrument? Is an algorithm simple or SIMPLE? What’s the difference between hcp and hcp and HCP? What does URL… Read More →
Category: How to master acronyms in academic English writing?
Types of acronyms in academic writing
In English and many other languages, there are many different kinds of shortened words, created to save space or reduce word count, or for quicker writing, reading, or speaking. These… Read More →
Using acronyms in your academic writing
Where to introduce an acronym Standard rule for introduction of an acronym The standard rule given by many journals, style guides, and editors for when to introduce an acronym or… Read More →
When not to use an acronym in academic writing
I have discussed the usefulness of acronyms and initialisms and the importance of finding the best place to introduce them. However, it is also useful to know when not to… Read More →
Summary of considerations for using acronym
As we saw, the use of acronyms and initialisms has both benefits and risks. They can make a paper shorter and easier to read, or make it ambiguous and complex…. Read More →
Acronyms that don’t need explaining
Finally, there are many acronyms and initialisms that might not need to be introduced or defined at all. These are typically terms that are common in everyday language or well… Read More →
Summary of acronyms that don’t need explanation
To summarize, let’s look at some examples where acronyms and initialisms might not need to be defined: “We construct a 3D model of the building…” – It will be understood… Read More →
How to introduce acronyms
Traditional brackets The standard way to introduce an acronym or initialism is to place it in round brackets after the full term. This is the approach I’ve used in many… Read More →
Summary of styles
In summary, here are the different techniques for introducing or defining an acronym or initialism:
Acronym style
Acronyms and initialisms can be presented in a number of different styles, as a result of the way they have evolved over the past century. Each has its own benefits… Read More →
Summary of styles
Let’s summarize all the various ways a set of initials may be written, and apply them to a single example: Some of these results are silly, showing that the various… Read More →
Grammar with acronyms in academic writing
Finally, we should look at how the various rules of grammar and punctuation work around acronyms and initialisms. The rules remain the same, of course, but the nature of acronyms… Read More →
Choosing and creating acronyms in academic writing
Creating an acronym We’ve seen all the many ways that acronyms, initialisms, and other abbreviations can be constructed, written, and pronounced, and the reasons they are used. Let’s now look… Read More →
Some odd examples of acronyms in academic writing
Finally, let’s revise by looking at some odd examples of acronyms and initialisms, then I’ll present some exercises. The light-emitting diode is commonly abbreviated as ‘LED’, from the initial letters… Read More →
Exercises on acronyms in academic writing
These questions are multiple-choice. Pick out the best options for each; some have a few correct answers. Feel free to do research online or reread chapter to help answer these…. Read More →