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- List of Abbreviations | Example, Template & Best Practices
List of Abbreviations | Example, Template & Best Practices
Published on 23 May 2022 by Tegan George . Revised on 25 October 2022.
A list of abbreviations is an alphabetical list of abbreviations that you can add to your thesis or dissertation. If you choose to include it, it should appear at the beginning of your document, just after your table of contents .
Abbreviation lists improve readability, minimising confusion about abbreviations unfamiliar to your reader. This can be a worthwhile addition to your thesis or dissertation if you find that you’ve used a lot of abbreviations in your paper.
If you only use a few abbreviations, you don’t necessarily need to include a list. However, it’s never a bad idea to add one if your abbreviations are numerous, or if you think they will not be known to your audience.
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- Table of contents
Example list of abbreviations
Best practices for abbreviations and acronyms, additional lists to include, frequently asked questions.
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There are a few rules to keep in mind about using abbreviations in academic writing. Here are a few tips.
- Acronyms are formed using the first letter of each word in a phrase. The first time you use an acronym, write the phrase in full and place the acronym in parentheses immediately after it. You can then use the acronym throughout the rest of the text.
- The same guidance goes for abbreviations: write the explanation in full the first time you use it, then proceed with the abbreviated version.
- If you’re using very common acronyms or abbreviations, such as UK or DNA, you can abbreviate them from the first use. If you’re in doubt, just write it out in full the first time.
As well as the list of abbreviations, you can also use a list of tables and figures and a glossary for your thesis or dissertation.
Include your lists in the following order:
- List of figures and tables
- List of abbreviations
As a rule of thumb, write the explanation in full the first time you use an acronym or abbreviation. You can then proceed with the shortened version. However, if the abbreviation is very common (like UK or PC), then you can just use the abbreviated version straight away.
Be sure to add each abbreviation in your list of abbreviations !
If you only used a few abbreviations in your thesis or dissertation, you don’t necessarily need to include a list of abbreviations .
If your abbreviations are numerous, or if you think they won’t be known to your audience, it’s never a bad idea to add one. They can also improve readability, minimising confusion about abbreviations unfamiliar to your reader.
A list of abbreviations is a list of all the abbreviations you used in your thesis or dissertation. It should appear at the beginning of your document, immediately after your table of contents . It should always be in alphabetical order.
An abbreviation is a shortened version of an existing word, such as Dr for Doctor. In contrast, an acronym uses the first letter of each word to create a wholly new word, such as UNESCO (an acronym for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization).
Your dissertation sometimes contains a list of abbreviations .
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George, T. (2022, October 25). List of Abbreviations | Example, Template & Best Practices. Scribbr. Retrieved 18 November 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/thesis-dissertation/abbreviations-list/
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