|
TITLE
ABBREVIATIONS
- A powerful title
The title is the most important aspect of writing. A good title is what decides whether your work will be read or passed by. Make it powerful enough to attract readers, yet simple and clear enough to appeal to them.
Back to Top
- Capitalization of title
Capitalize all the words in a title - except all the articles, coordinate conjunctions, and prepositions, regardless of length.
Back to Top
- Length of title
Make your titles short, simple, and clear. Long and complicated titles usually get passed over.
Back to Top
- Leave title for the end
Leave the writing of your title for the end. You need a title that stands out and beckons, so take your time to find a good one.
Back to Top
- Write the title for your audience
When writing your title, think of your audience. The title should be easy for them to understand, as well as appeal to them. For example: If you are writing for teens, your title should appeal to that age group; and if you are writing for adults, your title should be attractive enough for them to want to read on.
Back to Top
- Title within body of prose
When writing titles within body of prose, italicize if title is of full-length work published separately, and use quotation marks when title is of short works published as part of other works.
Back to Top
- Turn title into question
Title or headline written in the form of a question is very effective in raising curiosity among readers. They would want to know the answer and read on. For example if the article or essay is on how to write a good title, the titles could be –
Statement: The Art of Writing a Good Title
Question: Are You Frustrated With People Not Reading Your Article?
Now which of these titles appeals more?
Back to Top
- e.g. and i.e.
The abbreviation e.g. is often confused with the abbreviation i.e. Remember: They are NOT interchangeable. E.g. is for the Latin exempli gratia, meaning "for example”. I.e. is for the Latin id est, meaning "that is". Both abbreviations should be followed by a comma.
Back to Top
- Use of abbreviations and acronyms
Use abbreviations and acronyms only if you are sure your readers will understand them.
Back to Top
- Latin abbreviations or English equivalents?
Use Latin abbreviations (e.g., i.e, etc, ...) only in footprints, bibliographies, and informal writing. In formal writing, use the English equivalent of the abbreviations (for example, that is, and so on, …).
Back to Top
- Abbreviations in scientific and technical writing
Avoid abbreviations in scientific and technical writing by writing out the full word. Exceptions are common terms (example: DNA), units of measure (examples: g, cm), and chemical or mathematical formulas.
Back to Top
- Use of “a” or “an” before an abbreviation
When writing an abbreviation, the choice of “a” or “an” depends on the sound of the letter or word. For example: A CNN news report; An NBC program; A SWAT team.
Back to Top
- Possessive abbreviations
To form singular possessive of an abbreviation, add “s” after the apostrophe (e.g. M.D.’s diagnosis). To form plural possessive, add “s” before the apostrophe (e.g. M.D.s’ diagnoses).
Back to Top
- Abbreviations of a title
Do not use two abbreviations of a title at the same time. For example: Write Dr. John Smith, or John Smith, M.D.; NOT Dr. John Smith, M.D.
Back to Top
- Phonic abbreviations in writing
Do NOT use phonic abbreviations like ‘thru’ (for through) and ‘tho’ (for though) in formal or semi-formal writing. It gives the reader the impression of the writer being careless or not serious in his/her work.
Back to Top
|
