Using Acronyms in Academic Writing - Proofeds Writing Tips

Using Acronyms in Academic Writing - Proofeds Writing Tips Using Acronyms in Academic Writing With the limited characters available on platforms like Twitter, we’re used to using acronyms and abbreviations in everyday communication. After all, â€Å"IMO ppl uz 2 mNE lng wrds† is much more concise than â€Å"In my opinion, people use too many long words.† However, in academic writing, improper use of acronyms can detract from the clarity of your writing. Thus, in this post, we cover how to use acronyms in a college paper. What are Acronyms and Abbreviations? Acronyms and abbreviations are both shortened forms of long terms or phrases. However, while all acronyms are abbreviations, there is an important difference: Abbreviations are shortened versions of words (e.g., when â€Å"Jan† is used in place of â€Å"January†). Acronyms are abbreviations where the first letters from each word in a phrase spell out a new word (e.g., when National Aeronautics and Space Administration is shortened to â€Å"NASA†). In addition, there is technically a difference between an â€Å"acronym† and an â€Å"initialism†. Acronyms are pronounced as a single word (e.g., NASA). But each letter in an initialism is pronounced separately (e.g., FBI). Since â€Å"acronym† is commonly used for both of these, we will continue using this term below. However, its worth remember that there is a difference! When to Use Acronyms The main consideration is clarity. To be specific, we shorten long technical terms to make our work easier to read, especially if theyre used repeatedly. For instance, writing â€Å"MRI† instead of â€Å"magnetic resonance imaging† is a good idea if use this term a lot since it’s easier to read. Apparently, this isnt suitable for a passport photo. If a term is only used once or twice, there’s usually no need to use an acronym. You should also avoid using too many abbreviations, since text dense with acronyms and technical jargon can be difficult to read. Introducing Acronyms If using an acronym, you must introduce it with full terminology in the first instance so your reader knows what it means. You can do this by giving the full term first and the shortened version in parentheses: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has existed since 1949. Once introduced, you can use the shortened version in place of the full terminology: The idea of NATO is to ensure security via a system of collective defense. To ensure clarity, make sure to use the acronym consistently throughout your document. This means you should not switch between the full and abbreviated versions of the same term. Introducing an acronym isn’t necessary if the term is in common use, such as with â€Å"laser† (originally short for â€Å"light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation†). However, even with well-known terms, providing a definition can be helpful, since many acronyms have more than one meaning. One example is the long-running battle for use of â€Å"WWF†, in which the conservation group grappled (pun fully intended) with the professional wrestling organization now known as the â€Å"WWE.† Although â€Å"WWF† is a recognizable term, defining it on the first use would remove ambiguity. It would then be clear that you’re discussing the â€Å"World Wildlife Fund† and not the former employers of Stone Cold Steve Austin. I will open a can of whoop-ass on any panda that gets in my way. An important distinction, were sure youll agree.

Junk Food in School

Junk Food in School The article is about the school policy on junk food. In April 2014, the Department of Agriculture banned junk food sales at schools in the United States. In particular, the ban limits school cafeteria and  vending machine  from offering or selling students of foods that are high in fats, sugar, and calories or â€Å"junk food†. Junk food according to USDA is responsible for making millions of schoolchildren obese, a condition that is associated with a number of health  problems. Good examples of junk foods are soda, cheesecakes,  hotdogs, candies, potato chips, and any food that has little or no nutritional value. Study of obesity suggests that overweight and obese people are at risk of diabetes, coronary heart disease, a certain type of cancer, and tend to have a shorter life. Children with weight equal or greater than the 95th percentile are obese and likely to acquire a long-term chronic disease and psychosocial development problems. Poor food choices and consumption of junk food, a widely available, inexpensive, and effectively promoted on television and other media often cause obesity. Obesity, according to study is a disease linked to children’s poor nutrition and significant time spent on watching television. Junk food, on the other hand, is linked to weight gain and insulin resistance and therefore increased the risk of obesity and Type 2 diabetes. School Policy on Junk Food Evidently, there was no national policy regarding junk food in the United States before 2014 and therefore no reason for schools to create an internal policy on this matter. In fact, according to 2006 survey, only 25% of schools had a school  policy regarding junk food while a quarter of schools are developing #JunkFoodKids by allowing promotion and consumption of chocolate candy, cookies, pastries, baked goods, and soft drinks in schools. Some schools earned from vending machines that are so popular for their junk food content while others sell junk foods to the community so they can raise money. Schools with the junk food policy are commonly against vending machines and selling foods with little or no nutritional value. They raised funds from selling vegetables and fruits. The national policy restricting the sale of junk food at schools is a challenge to the majority of schools to create policies that could make a difference such as a junk-free school environment. Their role as educators should include teaching students on appropriate health choices, provide knowledge and encourage students on the benefits of nutritious food and exercise. You may be interested in: Remembering Our First Stage of Education Womens Right to Education Teachers and school staff are role models and therefore must be at the forefront of the junk food free school campus initiative. Operators of school cafeterias and vending machines should start thinking about students’ well-being rather than sales and profit. Teachers should be familiar with how junk food is marketed to kids, recognize junk food from tables, and the difference between subtle and not so subtle junk food. Similarly, school officials may consider a wellness policy that includes more innovative fundraising strategies, fairs, field trips, and athletic competitions. More importantly, they should not fall for advertising money and firmly reject the promotion of junk foods in their respective schools.