AP Style ReviewAP Style Review

Abbreviations Abbreviations and Acronymsand Acronyms

In General…In General…Abbreviations and AcronymsAbbreviations and Acronyms

Acronyms are abbreviations that are pronounced Acronyms are abbreviations that are pronounced as a word, such as as a word, such as NASA, CAD, ASP, NASA, CAD, ASP, etc. etc.

The general trend is away from using periods in The general trend is away from using periods in abbreviations, unless confusion might result. abbreviations, unless confusion might result.

Use abbreviations and acronyms sparingly unless Use abbreviations and acronyms sparingly unless your readership is familiar with them. your readership is familiar with them.

Spell out the abbreviation or acronym on the first Spell out the abbreviation or acronym on the first use (a few exceptions)use (a few exceptions)

In General…In General…Abbreviations and AcronymsAbbreviations and Acronyms

Do not use abbreviations or acronyms for Do not use abbreviations or acronyms for subsequent references if they follow at a great subsequent references if they follow at a great distance from the spelled out version. distance from the spelled out version.

Do not use the ampersand (&) as a replacement Do not use the ampersand (&) as a replacement for for and.and.

Avoid alphabet soup. Rewrite copy that's Avoid alphabet soup. Rewrite copy that's peppered with acronyms. peppered with acronyms.

Do not italicize acronyms or abbreviations even if Do not italicize acronyms or abbreviations even if they are the official title of a printed piece: e.g., they are the official title of a printed piece: e.g., CATECS CATECS (Center for Advanced Training in (Center for Advanced Training in Engineering and Computer Science).Engineering and Computer Science).

Academic DegreesAcademic Degrees……to use periods or not?to use periods or not?

NO ABBREVIATIONS NO ABBREVIATIONS When spelling out degrees, use When spelling out degrees, use

lowercase full words lowercase full words • bachelor of sciencebachelor of science• master of business administration master of business administration • bachelor's degree bachelor's degree • master's degree master's degree • doctoratedoctorate

PLURALS ofPLURALS ofAbbreviations and AcronymsAbbreviations and Acronyms

Plurals of abbreviations and Plurals of abbreviations and acronyms are formed by adding acronyms are formed by adding

s s alone. alone.

NO apostrophe SNO apostrophe S

State AbbreviationsState Abbreviations

General Rule: The more specific the General Rule: The more specific the location gets, the more abbreviations location gets, the more abbreviations that may occurthat may occur• City, state…may need to abbreviate!City, state…may need to abbreviate!• State names with five letters or less are State names with five letters or less are

never abbreviatednever abbreviated• Hawaii and Alaska are never abbreviatedHawaii and Alaska are never abbreviated• See style book for other state See style book for other state

abbreviationsabbreviations

United States…United States…when to abbreviate?when to abbreviate?

Abbreviate the United States only Abbreviate the United States only when used as an when used as an adjectiveadjective. . EX: The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is EX: The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is

one government agency that is using one government agency that is using software developed at CU-Boulder.software developed at CU-Boulder.

Spell United States out whenever it is Spell United States out whenever it is used as a used as a nounnoun. . EX: The government of the United States EX: The government of the United States

is one of the nation's largest employers.is one of the nation's largest employers.

DATESDATES

General Rule: The more specific the General Rule: The more specific the date gets, the more abbreviations that date gets, the more abbreviations that may occurmay occur• Exact date…may need to abbreviate!Exact date…may need to abbreviate!• Months with five letters or less are never Months with five letters or less are never

abbreviated (similar to states)abbreviated (similar to states)• See style book for other date and month See style book for other date and month

abbreviationsabbreviations

TITLESTITLES

Military titles…LOOK IT UP!Military titles…LOOK IT UP!

No need to use Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss No need to use Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss (use Dr. only if needed in story)(use Dr. only if needed in story)

See style book for title rules and See style book for title rules and abbreviationsabbreviations

AddressesAddresses

General Rule: The more specific the General Rule: The more specific the address gets, the more abbreviations address gets, the more abbreviations that may occurthat may occur• Only thoroughfares that are abbreviated Only thoroughfares that are abbreviated

are Street, Avenue and Boulevard, BUT are Street, Avenue and Boulevard, BUT only when used with a numbered only when used with a numbered addressaddress

• See style book for other address See style book for other address abbreviationsabbreviations