COMPUTER SYSTEMS RESEARCH
Elements of Technical Writing
2005-2006

  • The abbreviation for a specific word or phrase takes the same case (upper or lower case) as the word or phrase
      Prof. Morgenroth (Professor Morgenroth)
      Westinghouse Corp. (Westinghouse Corporation)
     
    When an abbreviation is formed from the first or first few letters of each major word of a compound term, it is called an acronym. Usually acronyms are written in uppercase letters
      VAR (value-added reseller)
      VHF (very high frequency)
      AM (amplitude modulation)
      
    Acronyms that stand for units of measure are written in lowercase But if the word is a unit of measure, than omit the final period
    
      lb (pound)
      yd (yard)
      mi (mile)