Module 7.2: Acronyms, initialisms, and other abbreviations Flashcards
What is an acronym?
An abbreviation made up of the first letters of each term in a phrase, pronounced as a single word (e.g., UNICEF, NASA).
What is an initialism?
An abbreviation made up of the first letters of each term in a phrase, where each letter is pronounced separately (e.g., BBC, FBI).
When should acronyms and initialisms be defined in a document?
The first time they are used, the term should be given in full with the shortened form following in parentheses.
What should be done if a term only appears once in a document?
There is no need to include the acronym or initialism in parentheses.
Which style guides suggest defining an abbreviation in brackets?
Some style guides, such as APA.
True or False: Everyday acronyms like TV or IQ need to be introduced with full terminology.
False.
What is ‘alphabet soup’?
A situation where several acronyms and/or initialisms are used in close succession, making the text difficult to follow.
What is a redundancy in the context of acronyms?
When the word at the end of the abbreviation is repeated immediately afterwards (e.g., ATM machine).
Fill in the blank: Acronyms and initialisms are typically written with _______ letters.
capital
How are acronyms treated differently in American vs British/Australian English?
American English typically capitalizes all letters, while British/Australian English may capitalize only the first letter.
What is the rule for using articles with acronyms and initialisms?
The definite article (the) is used more often with initialisms, while indefinite articles (a or an) depend on pronunciation.
What punctuation is commonly used with acronyms and initialisms?
Most are not punctuated, but some style guides suggest punctuating short abbreviations.
What should you do if you encounter an acronym or initialism that could lead to ambiguity?
Advise your client to introduce it in full.
How should truncated titles (e.g., Dr., Prof.) be punctuated in American English?
They should always be followed by periods.
In British English, when should periods be used with truncated titles?
Only if they are missing the final letter of the full word.
How are metric units of measurement typically punctuated?
They are generally not followed by a period (e.g., ml, cm).
What is suggested if acronyms and initialisms occur frequently in a document?
Add a list of abbreviations at the beginning of the text.
What is a common error related to acronyms and initialisms that proofreaders should look for?
Inconsistent use of full terminology and shortened forms.
True or False: The terms a.m. and p.m. can be written in various styles.
True.
What are two main types of abbreviations mentioned aside from acronyms and initialisms?
- Truncations of titles
- Units of measurement
Fill in the blank: The main rule for a proofreader when dealing with abbreviations is to ensure _______.
clarity and consistency
