An abbreviation is a shortened or contracted form of a word or phrase used to represent the whole.
An acronym is an abbreviation that is read as a word.
Use abbreviations and acronyms in moderation.
When using uncommon abbreviations or acronyms (ones that people outside of your field of study, school or department will not recognize) define them on first useāspell out the abbreviation or acronym followed by the abbreviation or acronym in parenthesis.
NOTE: If the abbreviation or acronym is not used after the first mention, do not abbreviate it.
Common-knowledge abbreviations and acronyms do not need to be defined on first use.
Use the article that you would use when speaking.
In general, if the acronym or abbreviation is used as a noun, no article is necessary.
Include periods when abbreviating academic degrees fewer than three letters: B.A., BFA, M.A., Ph.D., M.D., etc.
Use a period with abbreviated courtesy titles (Dr., Ms., Mr., Sen., Gov., etc.).
When possible, use degrees instead of courtesy titles; degree names are more accurate. Do not use both.
Use Associated Press (AP) state abbreviations. Never use the two-letter postal abbreviations, unless part of a complete mailing addresses.
Only abbreviate state names when used with the name of a city.
The list of AP state abbreviations is as follows:
Alabama | Ala. | Kentucky | Ky. | North Dakota | N.D. |
Alaska | Alaska | Louisiana | La. | Ohio | Ohio |
Arkansas | Ark. | Maine | Maine | Oklahoma | Okla. |
Arizona | Ariz. | Maryland | Md. | Oregon | Ore. |
California | Calif. | Massachusetts | Mass. | Pennsylvania | Pa. |
Colorado | Colo. | Michigan | Mich. | Rhode Island | R.I. |
Connecticut | Conn. | Minnesota | Minn. | South Carolina | S.C. |
Delaware | Del. | Mississippi | Miss. | South Dakota | S.D. |
District of Columbia | D.C. | Missouri | Mo. | Tennessee | Tenn. |
Florida | Fla. | Montana | Mont. | Texas | Texas |
Georgia | Ga. | Nebraska | Neb. | Utah | Utah |
Hawaii | Hawaii | Nevada | Nev. | Vermont | Vt. |
Idaho | Idaho | New Hampshire | N.H. | Virginia | Va. |
Illinois | Ill. | New Jersey | N.J. | Washington | Wash. |
Indiana | Ind. | New Mexico | N.M. | West Virginia | W.Va. |
Iowa | Iowa | New York | N.Y. | Wisconsin | Wis. |
Kansas | Kan. | North Carolina | N.C. | Wyoming | Wyo. |
Only abbreviate United States when it is used as an adjective.
Use periods when abbreviating United States (U.S.).
Do not use periods when abbreviating United States of America (USA).