Bailey.Academic_Writing

122 Accuracy in Writing
cross-reference
1.7 Note-making
B.B.C. are used. There is, however, a tendency to use full
stops less. The important thing is to employ a consistent
style in your work.
4. Abbreviations can be confusing.
PC, for example, can mean Police Constable (in Britain),
personal computer and also politically correct. CD may stand
for compact disc or corps diplomatique. PM could be Prime
Minister or post meridian. It is useful to be aware of these
potential confusions.
5. a) Certain abbreviations are found in all types of academic
writing. They include:
cf. = compare
e.g. = for example
et al. = and others (used for giving names of multiple
authors)
Fig. = figure (for labelling charts and graphs)
ibid. = in the same place (to refer to a source mentioned
immediately before)
i.e. = that is
K = thousand
NB = take careful note
op. cit. = in the source mentioned previously
p.a. = yearly
pp. = pages
re = with reference to
b) Other abbreviations are very subject specific and may be
special to one article. In that case they need explaining:
. . . the developing countries with the highest per-capita
dietary energy supplies (DES)
. . . one delegate expressed surprise that Call Centres
(CCs) should . . .
6. Explain the abbreviations in the following sentences.
a) The PM told MPs that the NHS needed reform.
b) The failure rate among IT projects reaches 70%
(Smith et al., 1997).
c) The world’s most populous country, i.e. China, has
joined the WTO.
d) NB CVs must be no longer than three sides of A4.