Call us: (443) 956-2249
kelle@kc-communications.com
  • Blog
  • Contact
B2B Technology Copywriting – Kellé Campbell PR WriterB2B Technology Copywriting – Kellé Campbell PR WriterB2B Technology Copywriting – Kellé Campbell PR WriterB2B Technology Copywriting – Kellé Campbell PR Writer
  • Home
  • Why Kellé
  • Software & E-learning Writing
  • Content Writing
  • Portfolio
  • Testimonials

How to Abbreviate Properly: Snip According to Style Guidelines

    Home Resources How to Abbreviate Properly: Snip According to Style Guidelines
    NextPrevious

    How to Abbreviate Properly: Snip According to Style Guidelines

    By B2B Tech Writer | Resources | Comments are Closed | 15 December, 2011 | 0

    Pair of ScissorsThe handling of abbreviations can be tricky, especially if you have to use different style guides for different types of writing. Some guidelines only permit abbreviations in tables or reference sections. Other guidelines are more lenient, but their requirements can still differ in significant ways. Here are pointers about a few of those differences. I’ll use three stylebooks for examples: Associated Press (AP) Stylebook, Chicago Manual of Style (CMS) and Words into Type.

    Abbreviations for Professional Titles
    Stylebooks often disagree on when to abbreviate certain professional or political titles.

    The CMS requires that certain titles such as Senator be spelled out when only the surname  is used  and abbreviated before the full name. Example:

    Sen. John  Doe
    Senator Doe

    The AP Stylebook is fine with using the abbreviated version of Senator before  the full  name in regular text, but requires that the title be spelled out in a direct quotation:

    Sen. John Doe addressed his colleagues.
    “Senator John Doe should run for a second term,” stated the analyst.

    Words into Type never allows the title to be abbreviated except when used in a table.

    Abbreviations for Names of Months
    The CMS and Words into Type  require that month names  to be  spelled out in text.

    With AP style, month names are only abbreviated when they are  accompanied by  a specific date. Example:

    Sept. 10 was unusually chilly.

    Even then, AP style allows only certain month names  to be abbreviated (Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov. and Dec.).

    However, all three stylebooks approve of abbreviating month names when they’re in tables. The AP stylebook recommends abbreviations consisting of the first three letters of each month (e.g., Jan., Feb., etc.). The CMS and Words into Type follow that same format except for May, June and July, which remain unabbreviated.

    If the space  in your table cells  is so limited  that even  May, June and July have  be shortened, both CMS and Words into Type offer this abbreviating option for all the months:

    January = Ja
    February = F
    March = Mr
    April = Ap
    May = My
    June = Je
    July = Jl
    August = Ag
    September = S
    October = O
    November = N
    December = D

    Time of Day
    All three stylebooks have their  own preferences:

    AP requires that the common abbreviations for morning and afternoon to be lowercased with periods (a.m. and p.m.).

    The CMS prefers that you use small capitals  and the periods are optional.

    Words into Type prefers small caps with periods, but you can get away with lowercase letters  or normally capitalized letters,  just as long as you  include the  periods.

    These are just a few of the style differences you encounter when writing abbreviations, so it’s always a good idea to check the relevant stylebook for proper usage guidelines. Abbreviations are generally  avoided in very formal writing, and even when writing informally, use them judiciously so your copy doesn’t look like alphabet soup.

    No tags.

    NextPrevious
    KC Communications
    Kellé Campbell is a public relations writer with more than 15 years of experience performing writing, editing, ghostwriting, and research services for clients in a variety of sectors, specializing in technology.

    Recent Posts

    • Powerful content answers the questions your prospects are asking

      The most interesting content you can create for prospects and customers is

      1 June, 2022
    • 4 more ways to repurpose your webinar content

      I’ve been sharing a variety of ways that marketers can repurpose webinar

      23 January, 2022

    Recent Tweets

    Tweets by @kcwriter

    Contact Info

    Phone Number
    (443) 956-2249
    Fax:
    (443) 288-5074
    Email Address
    kelle@kc-communications.com
    Copyright © 2022 KC Communications. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy, Disclaimer and Terms
    • Home
    • Why Kellé
    • Software & E-learning Writing
    • Content Writing
    • Portfolio
    • Testimonials
    • Blog
    • Contact
    B2B Technology Copywriting – Kellé Campbell PR Writer