COMPUTER SYSTEMS RESEARCH
Elements of Technical Writing
2005-2006

  • Abbreviation (from Elements of Technical Writing by Blake and Bly)
    1. Rule 1: Spell out abbreviations at their first appearance, and use too few rather than too many.
    2. Rule 2: Omit internal and terminal punctuation in abbreviations
    3. Rule 3: The abbreviation for a specific word or phrase takes the same case (upper or lower case) as the word or phrase
    4. Rule 4: Avoid using signs in writing (" for inch and ' for foot), except when expressing information in tables.