Abbreviations
• Use in the list of works cited and in tables; do not abbreviate within the text of a research paper except within parentheses.
• Don't begin a sentence with a lower case abbreviation.
• Common abbreviations such as etc., e.g. and i.e. may be used only in parenthesis. Example: In the text, write and so forth (etc.); that is (i.e.); for example (e.g.)
• In the text, spell out the names of countries, states, counties, provinces, territories, bodies of water, mountains.
• When writing initials add a single space after each letter. Example: J. S. Bach, Charles L. Grant.

Acronyms
• Do not use periods after letters and spaces between letters.
• If an acronym is commonly used as a word, it does not require explanation (IQ, LSD, FBI, ESP).
• A term must be fully written the first time it is used; for any subsequent references, the acronym is acceptable. Example: International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM)
• Write the plural form of an acronym without an apostrophe. Example: Their DVDs cost too much.

Capitalization
• Heading caps: Capitalize the first words, last words, and principal words in titles and subtitles.

Tense
• Write about literature in the present tense.
• Be careful not to switch between tenses.

Modifying Pronouns
CORRECT: The student submitted his paper.
INCORRECT: The student submitted their paper.
• If the subject is singular, the modifying pronoun should be singular.
• There is in general conversation and in conversational writing today an attempt to avoid "his/her" constructions by simply using "their," whether or not the modified word is plural. Such usage is not acceptable in formal writing.

CORRECT: Everyone submitted his or her own paper.
INCORRECT: Everyone submitted their own paper.
• These words are singular: everyone, each, someone, nobody, anybody; therefore, the modifying pronoun should be singular.

CORRECT: The writer must address his or her readers' concerns.
CORRECT: Writers must address their readers' concerns.
The use of "he" to embrace both genders used to be a conventional tool to avoid the awkwardness of using both "he and she," "his or her." Sensitivity to sexist language today precludes the use of such conventions. One way to avoid the awkwardness is to use the plural.

Verb Tenses within a Paragraph
Generally, verb tenses within a paragraph are consistent. Switching verb tenses often signals communication of a new idea. Such communication will often be facilitated by beginning a new paragraph.

Subject and Verb Agreement
CORRECT: Her list of Piaget's stages of development, including the sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational stages, was incomplete.
INCORRECT: Her list of Piaget's stages of development, including the sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational stages, were incomplete.
• The number of the subject determines the number of the verb.

Demonstrative Pronouns
CORRECT: This statement is correct.
INCORRECT: This is incorrect.
CORRECT: These items were correct.
INCORRECT: These were incorrect.
• The demonstrative pronouns "this" or "these" typically require a noun.
This what? These what?

CORRECT: The book that I want is on the table.
CORRECT: The book, which I want, is on the table.
• That and which. The use of "which" typically requires a comma. The use of "that" does not typically require a comma.

Use of Person in Writing
• Academic writing typically uses the third person, except in direct quotations.
• Use of the first person "I" is traditionally seen as a violation of the quest for objectivity. There are, however, exceptions, e.g., qualitative research reports. In any event, the first person should not be overused.
• Use of the second person ("you") is invariably awkward in academic writing.

Word Splurge
• Why use ten words when three words will do?
• Treat words like money. Do not spend more than is absolutely necessary.
• Be succinct.

Continue to Section 4: Style