Acronyms and initialisms in academic and non-fiction text require careful handling. While the standard practice involves defining acronyms upon first use, complexities can arise in various scenarios. This microlearning explores the more complicated instances of acronym usage, offering suggestions that will help you proofread acronyms and initialisms more effectively.
Examples of acronym-related issues covered in this microlearning are:
- Periods in acronyms: Deciding whether to include periods in acronyms isn’t straightforward. While most standard capitalized acronyms omit periods, exceptions exist.
- Defining acronyms outside the main text: Addressing acronym definitions beyond the main text, such as in abstracts, tables of abbreviations, and tables, figures, and captions.
- Well-known acronyms: Recognizable acronyms may not require redefinition if their meaning is universally understood.
- Acronyms becoming words: Treat acronyms-turned-words as such within the text.
- Acronyms in brands: Approach acronym definitions in brands based on context, familiarity, and audience.
- Non-academic and fictional texts: Non-academic texts may follow institutional style guides. In fiction, acronym definitions can be integrated into narrative or dialogue.
While the guidelines provided here cover the trickier aspects of acronyms in text, your professional judgment remains essential. You should prioritize clarity and consistency, especially when no definitive style guide exists.
To learn more, follow the below link to our Acronym Masterclass microlearning.
