In first references, we often use the full title of an organization, in caps: the U.S. Justice Department, Michigan State University, ect.
But
in subsequent references -- after we established the group in the first
reference -- we can use a generic version in lower case or an
appropriate common acronym: the justice department, the department, MSU, the university, ect.
Showing posts with label acronyms. Show all posts
Showing posts with label acronyms. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Squirrels: FYI On Acronyms, BTW
Many of you referred to Lansing Community College in first reference. And in most first cases,
it's best to spell out the full title of an entity.
But how do you handle subsequent references?
You have a few options. One is to refer to the college in the generic, like I just did: as the college, lower-cased.
A second option would be to consider using an acronym, if there is a common acronym for the group. An acronym is a word formed from the first letter or letters of a series of words, such as MSU (which is the acronym for Michigan State University). In this case, the correct acronym is LCC.
If an acronym is well-known -- like NASA or FBI or USA -- then generally it is acceptable in a second reference, or even in a first reference.
This is where I'm going to refer you back to AP Style. Please carefully read and review the listing for abbreviations and acronyms.
But how do you handle subsequent references?
You have a few options. One is to refer to the college in the generic, like I just did: as the college, lower-cased.
A second option would be to consider using an acronym, if there is a common acronym for the group. An acronym is a word formed from the first letter or letters of a series of words, such as MSU (which is the acronym for Michigan State University). In this case, the correct acronym is LCC.
If an acronym is well-known -- like NASA or FBI or USA -- then generally it is acceptable in a second reference, or even in a first reference.
This is where I'm going to refer you back to AP Style. Please carefully read and review the listing for abbreviations and acronyms.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Murder: References and Attribution
Some reminders: use a full business name in a first reference, and in
a second reference you can use a generic name or an acronym.
For example, on first reference it's North Point Inn, and on second reference it can just be the inn. You've established which inn you're talking about with the first reference.
On, on first reference it's Michigan State University and on second reference it's MSU or the university.
With attribution, you need to have a source for each graf. But if your graf just cites a single source, then you only need one attribution, no matter how many sentences your graf is.
For example, on first reference it's North Point Inn, and on second reference it can just be the inn. You've established which inn you're talking about with the first reference.
On, on first reference it's Michigan State University and on second reference it's MSU or the university.
With attribution, you need to have a source for each graf. But if your graf just cites a single source, then you only need one attribution, no matter how many sentences your graf is.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Squirrels: FYI On Acronyms, BTW
Many of you referred to Lansing Community College in first reference. And in most first cases,
it's best to spell out the full title of an entity.
But how do you handle subsequent references?
You have a few options. One is to refer to the college in the generic, like I just did: as the college, lower-cased.
A second option would be to consider using an acronym, if there is a common acronym for the group. An acronym is a word formed from the first letter or letters of a series of words, such as MSU (which is the acronym for Michigan State University). In this case, the correct acronym is LCC.
If an acronym is well-known -- like NASA or FBI or USA -- then generally it is acceptable in a second reference, or even in a first reference.
This is where I'm going to refer you back to AP Style. Please carefully read and review the listing for abbreviations and acronyms.
But how do you handle subsequent references?
You have a few options. One is to refer to the college in the generic, like I just did: as the college, lower-cased.
A second option would be to consider using an acronym, if there is a common acronym for the group. An acronym is a word formed from the first letter or letters of a series of words, such as MSU (which is the acronym for Michigan State University). In this case, the correct acronym is LCC.
If an acronym is well-known -- like NASA or FBI or USA -- then generally it is acceptable in a second reference, or even in a first reference.
This is where I'm going to refer you back to AP Style. Please carefully read and review the listing for abbreviations and acronyms.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Missing: Second References
In first references, we often use the full title of an organization, in caps: the U.S. Justice Department, Wayne State University, ect.
But in subsequent references -- after we established the group in the first reference -- we can use a generic version in lower case or an appropriate common acronym: the justice department, the department, WSU, the university, ect.
But in subsequent references -- after we established the group in the first reference -- we can use a generic version in lower case or an appropriate common acronym: the justice department, the department, WSU, the university, ect.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Meeting; Second Refernces & Acronyms
Many of you referred to the Coalition for the Homeless, Inc. and the Grand Ledge City Council in first reference. And in most first cases, it's best to spell out the full title of an entity.
But how do you handle subsequent references?
You have a few options. One is to refer to the coalition or council in the generic, like I just did: as the coalition and council, lower-cased. Or you can call the former the homeless group, or whatever generic identifier is clearly in reference to such an organization.
A second option would be to consider using an acronym, if there is a common acronym for the group. An acronym is a word formed from the first letter or letters of a series of words, such as MSU (which is the acronym for Michigan State University).
If an acronym is well-known -- like NASA or FBI or USA -- then generally it is acceptable in a second reference, or even in a first reference.
This is where I'm going to refer you back to AP Style. Please carefully read and review the listing for abbreviations and acronyms.
But how do you handle subsequent references?
You have a few options. One is to refer to the coalition or council in the generic, like I just did: as the coalition and council, lower-cased. Or you can call the former the homeless group, or whatever generic identifier is clearly in reference to such an organization.
A second option would be to consider using an acronym, if there is a common acronym for the group. An acronym is a word formed from the first letter or letters of a series of words, such as MSU (which is the acronym for Michigan State University).
If an acronym is well-known -- like NASA or FBI or USA -- then generally it is acceptable in a second reference, or even in a first reference.
This is where I'm going to refer you back to AP Style. Please carefully read and review the listing for abbreviations and acronyms.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Meeting -- Second References & Acronyms
Many of you referred to the Coalition for the Homeless, Inc. and the Grand Ledge City Council in first reference. And in most first cases, it's best to spell out the full title of an entity.
But how do you handle subsequent references?
You have a few options. One is to refer to the coalition or council in the generic, like I just did: as the coalition and council, lower-cased. Or you can call the former the homeless group, or whatever generic identifier is clearly in reference to such an organization.
A second option would be to consider using an acronym, if there is a common acronym for the group. An acronym is a word formed from the first letter or letters of a series of words, such as MSU (which is the acronym for Michigan State University).
If an acronym is well-known -- like NASA or FBI or USA -- then generally it is acceptable in a second reference, or even in a first reference.
This is where I'm going to refer you back to AP Style. Please carefully read and review the listing for abbreviations and acronyms.
But how do you handle subsequent references?
You have a few options. One is to refer to the coalition or council in the generic, like I just did: as the coalition and council, lower-cased. Or you can call the former the homeless group, or whatever generic identifier is clearly in reference to such an organization.
A second option would be to consider using an acronym, if there is a common acronym for the group. An acronym is a word formed from the first letter or letters of a series of words, such as MSU (which is the acronym for Michigan State University).
If an acronym is well-known -- like NASA or FBI or USA -- then generally it is acceptable in a second reference, or even in a first reference.
This is where I'm going to refer you back to AP Style. Please carefully read and review the listing for abbreviations and acronyms.
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