Brevity

Texting is a form of abbreviation. Shorthand is another. There are times when it is a good idea to use a shorter form of language rather than a longer one, i.e., to send a quick message or to take dictation or to write notes in class. A few rules (English has one or two of those) govern the use of abbreviations in formal writing.

Generally, abbreviations aren’t necessary or even acceptable. It is not a great, grand and glorious idea to type in Eng. for English or Tues. for Tuesday. Your Eng. paper is not due on Tues. Your English paper is due on Tuesday.

At times, you might be writing about an organization with a long name, like The Population for Word Innovation. What you can do is insert in parentheses (TPWI) as soon as you have identified the group’s full name and then refer to TPWI for the rest of the time you write about them. By placing the abbreviation right after the full name, The Population for Word Innovation (TPWI), you have indicated to the reader that the abbreviation will be used in place of the full name for the rest of the paper.

A few common abbreviations are accepted. Instead of writing out Mister Sand, Mr. Sand is fine. If you‘re discussing Dr. Seagull, use the abbreviation for doctor. It is part of his title.

According to a line in Hamlet “…brevity is the soul of wit” (Shakespeare). While that is often true enough and can lead to improved writing at times, there is no reason to make a habit of shortening words without a clear reason to do so, especially in academic essays.

Roxy’s tip: Abbreviate sparingly and appropriately in an academic essay.

See you next time the breeze is cool, the sun is up, and the waves roll into view! My next entry is coming soon. ‘Til then, hang ten!