AP Style Review Abbreviations and Acronyms

In General… Abbreviations and Acronyms Acronyms are abbreviations that are pronounced as a word, such as NASA, CAD, ASP, etc. Acronyms are abbreviations that are pronounced as a word, such as NASA, CAD, ASP, etc. The general trend is away from using periods in abbreviations, unless confusion might result. The general trend is away from using periods in abbreviations, unless confusion might result. Use abbreviations and acronyms sparingly unless your readership is familiar with them. Use abbreviations and acronyms sparingly unless your readership is familiar with them. Spell out the abbreviation or acronym on the first use (a few exceptions) Spell out the abbreviation or acronym on the first use (a few exceptions)

In General… Abbreviations and Acronyms Do not use abbreviations or acronyms for subsequent references if they follow at a great distance from the spelled out version. Do not use abbreviations or acronyms for subsequent references if they follow at a great distance from the spelled out version. Do not use the ampersand (&) as a replacement for and. Do not use the ampersand (&) as a replacement for and. Avoid alphabet soup. Rewrite copy that's peppered with acronyms. Avoid alphabet soup. Rewrite copy that's peppered with acronyms. Do not italicize acronyms or abbreviations even if they are the official title of a printed piece: e.g., CATECS (Center for Advanced Training in Engineering and Computer Science). Do not italicize acronyms or abbreviations even if they are the official title of a printed piece: e.g., CATECS (Center for Advanced Training in Engineering and Computer Science).

Academic Degrees… to use periods or not? NO ABBREVIATIONS NO ABBREVIATIONS When spelling out degrees, use lowercase full words When spelling out degrees, use lowercase full words bachelor of sciencebachelor of science master of business administrationmaster of business administration bachelor's degreebachelor's degree master's degreemaster's degree doctoratedoctorate

PLURALS of Abbreviations and Acronyms Plurals of abbreviations and acronyms are formed by adding Plurals of abbreviations and acronyms are formed by adding s alone. NO apostrophe S NO apostrophe S

State Abbreviations General Rule: The more specific the location gets, the more abbreviations that may occur General Rule: The more specific the location gets, the more abbreviations that may occur City, state…may need to abbreviate!City, state…may need to abbreviate! State names with five letters or less are never abbreviatedState names with five letters or less are never abbreviated Hawaii and Alaska are never abbreviatedHawaii and Alaska are never abbreviated See style book for other state abbreviationsSee style book for other state abbreviations

United States… when to abbreviate? Abbreviate the United States only when used as an adjective. Abbreviate the United States only when used as an adjective. EX: The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is one government agency that is using software developed at CU-Boulder. EX: The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is one government agency that is using software developed at CU-Boulder. Spell United States out whenever it is used as a noun. Spell United States out whenever it is used as a noun. EX: The government of the United States is one of the nation's largest employers. EX: The government of the United States is one of the nation's largest employers.

DATES General Rule: The more specific the date gets, the more abbreviations that may occur General Rule: The more specific the date gets, the more abbreviations that may occur Exact date…may need to abbreviate!Exact date…may need to abbreviate! Months with five letters or less are never abbreviated (similar to states)Months with five letters or less are never abbreviated (similar to states) See style book for other date and month abbreviationsSee style book for other date and month abbreviations

TITLES Military titles…LOOK IT UP! Military titles…LOOK IT UP! No need to use Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss (use Dr. only if needed in story) No need to use Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss (use Dr. only if needed in story) See style book for title rules and abbreviations See style book for title rules and abbreviations

Addresses General Rule: The more specific the address gets, the more abbreviations that may occur General Rule: The more specific the address gets, the more abbreviations that may occur Only thoroughfares that are abbreviated are Street, Avenue and Boulevard, BUT only when used with a numbered addressOnly thoroughfares that are abbreviated are Street, Avenue and Boulevard, BUT only when used with a numbered address See style book for other address abbreviationsSee style book for other address abbreviations