AP Style Guide

Some of the academic titles examples are,

• Professor
• Chancellor
• Chairman
• President
• Dean, etc.

According to AP Style, you cannot capitalize any academic titles within sentences. Titles should be in lowercase. For example,

1. She has a master’s degree in Computer Science; she should apply as a professor at his own university.

2. The chairman is not allowed to ask questions about our personal life.

Capitalize Academic Titles

You have to remember just one rule through which you can capitalize the academic titles.

You can capitalize an academic title when used before names.

For example,

1. Professor Smith asked us to submit all the assignments before deadline.

2. If you want an appointment with Dean Smith, then I will fix a suitable time for you.

If you are confused in using abbreviations and acronyms, then continue reading the whole post to clear up your mind.

According to AP Style, you cannot use abbreviations everywhere. There are some specific or common areas to use abbreviations and acronyms. AP Style says that an abbreviation or an acronym should be common or well-known enough to be used within sentences. Otherwise, there is no need to use such abbreviations that are not recognized publicly.

For example,

• NATO > This particular abbreviation is universally recognized abbreviation. It means that it is well-known or prominent enough to be used without spelled out first.

However, there are other abbreviations that are well-known but it is necessary to use those abbreviations on second reference. It means that you have to spell out the whole word first, then you can use an abbreviation for that word.

For example,

• FWA> It is necessary to spell out the whole word, first, as Financial Women’s Association that is the full version of FWA. After that, you can use an abbreviation for Financial Women’s Association as FWA on second reference.

Got it?

So, you have to be careful in using abbreviations or acronyms. If you come across an abbreviation or acronym, search it to find out that is it a common abbreviation/acronym or not? If yes, then, should it be used on first reference or on second reference?

Check Out: How Do We Write Academic Titles in AP Style?

Some common abbreviations that you can use without any hesitation

• Mr., Mrs., Ms., Col., Gen., Maj., Rep., etc.
The above abbreviations come before a name like, Mrs. Smith, Dr. John etc.

• Ph.D., Jr., Ltd., Inc., Co., etc.
The above abbreviations come after a name like, Transport Co., Henry Clinton, Ph.D.

• You can use A.D., B.C., a.m., p.m., No. and also months (Jan., Feb., Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., and Dec.) with figures. You cannot use the given abbreviated months alone or when only the year is mentioned. For example, 9:00 a.m., in 300 A.D., on Sept. 12, 2017, at Street No. 9 etc.

• You can use Ave., St., and Blvd. for numbered addresses. For example, St. No. 7, at 20 Jinnah Ave., etc.

What Did You Learn?

Hence, it is clear that the abbreviations or acronyms that are not common or well-known enough to be recognized quickly should be avoided to be used within sentences.

Using “a” and “an” correctly is essential for clear and effective communication in writing. Although it may seem straightforward, the rules for these articles can be nuanced, particularly when it comes to pronunciation.

A An In AP Style

According to AP style, the use is not so difficult to understand. There is one standard rule that you have to follow.

> You have to use ‘a’ before consonant sounds that are non-vowel sounds. For example,

• A traditional look.

• A one-year old boy.

Note: Though ‘o’ in ‘one’ is vowel, but it sounds like –w in ‘one’. That is why, ‘o’ is taken as a consonant sound.

> You have to use ‘an’ before vowel sounds. The letters a, e, i, o, u represent vowel sounds. For example,

• An optical disc.

• Half an hour later.

Note: ‘H’ in ‘hour’ and ‘N’ in ‘NGO‘ sounds completely like vowels (i.e. ‘h’ sounds like –a and ‘N’ sounds like –e).

‘A’ = Before Consonant Sounds

‘An’ = Before Vowel Sounds

Check Out: How Do We Use Abbreviations and Acronyms in AP Style?

Common Exceptions to the Rules

While the rules for using “a” and “an” are generally straightforward, several exceptions can cause confusion. Here are a couple of key examples.

Words Beginning with a Silent ‘H’: Use “an” before words that start with a silent ‘H’:

• An hour
• An honor

Acronyms Starting with Vowel Sounds: Use “an” before acronyms that begin with a vowel sound:

• An MBA (the ‘M’ is pronounced ’em’)
• An NGO (the ‘N’ is pronounced ‘en’)

Special Cases with Abbreviations

When dealing with abbreviations and acronyms, the rules for using “a” and “an” depend on their pronunciation rather than their spelling.

Acronyms Starting with Consonant Sounds: Use “a” before acronyms that begin with a consonant sound:

• A UFO (the ‘U’ is pronounced ‘yoo’)

Acronyms Starting with Vowel Sounds: Use “an” before acronyms that start with a vowel sound:

• An MRI (the ‘M’ is pronounced ’em’)

What Did You Learn?

The correct use of “a” and “an” hinges on consonant and vowel sounds rather than just the letters themselves. Remember to use “a” before consonant sounds and “an” before vowel sounds, including cases where the initial letter may be a consonant but produces vowel sound.

Mastering these rules will enhance the clarity and professionalism of your writing, ensuring effective communication in various contexts. By paying attention to pronunciation, you can avoid common pitfalls and strengthen your overall writing skills.

Understanding the correct usage of academic department names is essential for clear and professional writing. Do you want to know how do we write academic departments in the AP style. Here’s everything!

Do Not Capitalize > If you are referring an academic department, remember to write it in lowercase.

You can only capitalize when you come up with a proper noun

For example,

• The department of English.
• The department of mass communication.

and,
• The department of arts.
• The department of Canadian literature.

In the above examples, English and Canadian are both proper nouns. That is why, AP Style allows them to be capitalized. However, the words mass communication, arts and history are common nouns. They can not be capitalized.

Capitalize A Formal Name

According to AP Style, if you are referring a unit by its official full name, then it is necessary to capitalize it. For example,

• The Department of European Union.
• The School of Thoughts.

Check Out: How Do We Write “A” and “An” in AP Style.

Special Cases: Interdisciplinary Departments

Interdisciplinary departments, which combine elements from multiple fields of study, often require careful attention to AP Style guidelines. When naming these departments, the capitalization rules generally follow the same principles as standard departments, but clarity is key.

Lowercase Usage

When referring to an interdisciplinary department in a general sense, use lowercase. For example:

• “The department of environmental studies focuses on the intersection of science and policy.”
• “The department of global health and sociology offers joint courses.”

Capitalization of Proper Nouns

If the name includes proper nouns, capitalize them accordingly. For example:

• “The Department of Environmental Science and Policy emphasizes sustainability.”
• “The School of International Relations and Public Affairs prepares students for global careers.”

Formal Titles

If the department has a formal, recognized name, it should be capitalized:

• “The Department of Neuroscience and Psychology integrates research from both fields.”
• “The College of Arts and Sciences offers a program in Gender Studies.”

When Describing

When discussing the nature of the department, keep it lowercase unless specifying the formal name:

• “The interdisciplinary department of biochemistry and molecular biology conducts innovative research.”
• “Students can enroll in the joint department of anthropology and sociology.”

What Did You Learn?

You must have figured out the answer to “How Do We Write AP style academic departments?” Common department names should be written in lowercase. Such as “the department of history,” while proper nouns, like “the Department of English,” are capitalized. Formal titles must be capitalized. For example, “the Department of European Union.”

If you are an educated person, you will come up with many places in which you have to write about your qualification. According to AP Style academic degrees, you cannot use an abbreviation for your degree in a phrase. There is a specific rule for the use of an abbreviation for your degree.

> The abbreviations like Ph.D., B.S., LL.D.,M.S., etc., cannot be used just after a last name. The correct way to use these abbreviations is that you can use them after a full name by setting off commas. For example,

“Bravo John, M.S., will come to show us his presentation.”

Use of an Apostrophe

If you are generally referring degrees, you should use lowercase and an apostrophe. For instance, bachelor’s degree or master’s degree.

However, if you are mentioning a subject with the degree, then, you should capitalize it without using an apostrophe. For instance, Bachelor of Arts or Master of Arts.

Examples,

• I am in my final semester of Bachelor of Arts in Literature.

• I have to complete my bachelor’s degree in Computer Science.

Note: There is an associate degree as well. For referring an associate degree, you should not use an apostrophe. For instance, I have to complete my associate degree.

Check Out: How Do We Write Academic Titles In AP Style?

How to List Multiple Degrees

When listing multiple degrees, separate them with commas and place the abbreviations after the full name.

1. Jane Doe, Ph.D., M.S., B.A.

2. Dr. Emily Carter, M.D., M.P.H., B.S., will be our keynote speaker.

This format ensures clarity and readability, while respecting AP Style rules.

When to Abbreviate Academic Degrees

Abbreviations for degrees, such as Ph.D. or M.S., should only be used after a full name and set off by commas.

Avoid abbreviating degrees in general references.

Instead, write out “bachelor’s degree” or “master’s degree” unless mentioning the specific degree.

Common Mistakes When Writing Academic Degrees

A common mistake is placing abbreviations directly after a last name.

1. Smith, Ph.D.

Always use the full name before abbreviations.

Another mistake is capitalizing general references like “Bachelor’s Degree”. It should be lowercase unless naming the specific degree, such as “Bachelor of Arts.”

What Did You Learn?

When writing academic degrees in AP Style, use abbreviations only after a full name and set off by commas. Use lowercase and apostrophes for general references, like “bachelor’s degree” or “master’s degree,” but capitalize specific degrees like “Bachelor of Arts.”