Choose words that are short, familiar, and concrete.<\/p>\n
An acronym<\/strong> is an abbreviation whose letters are pronounced as a word, for example, ACTO for Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario.<\/p>\n An initialism<\/strong> is an abbreviation whose letters are pronounced as letters, for example, ODSP for Ontario Disability Support Program.<\/p>\n Use the full name followed by the abbreviation in parentheses on first reference, for example, Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). Then use ODSP on its own.<\/p>\n Re-introduce the full name and abbreviation if content is long or is broken into several sections.<\/p>\n On Steps to Justice<\/strong>, include the full name and abbreviation in each answer and step.<\/p>\n Do not use periods in all-capital abbreviations.<\/p>\n Example:<\/span><\/strong> SBT for Social Benefits Tribunal<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Use periods if the abbreviation is geographical or refers to a person.<\/p>\n Example:<\/span><\/strong> U.S. for United States<\/p>\n Example:<\/span><\/strong> A.B. Lastname<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Be careful not to introduce redundancy when using a short form.<\/p>\n Example:<\/span><\/strong> SIN is short for Social Insurance Number. So do not use SIN number.<\/p>\n Example:<\/span><\/strong> PDF is short for Portable Document Format. So do not use PDF format.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Carefully consider when to use abbreviations and make sure they meet the needs of your reader.<\/p>\n For the reader, an acronym can be a jumble of letters that you\u2019ve assigned meaning to.<\/p>\n You\u2019re asking the reader to remember both the acronym and what it means while they read your material. Be aware of what you\u2019re asking your reader to do every time you use one.<\/p>\n This means using acronyms sparingly<\/strong>. Avoid having print or web pages filled with acronyms. Keep in mind that text in all caps is harder to read.<\/p>\n Ask yourself, is it a short form that the reader needs to know and will see in other contexts?<\/p>\n For example, when deciding how to shorten Landlord and Tenant Board, check:<\/p>\n This can change over time. LTB is now the standard abbreviation. But, in the past, it was \u201cthe Board\u201d.<\/p>\n To shorten a long name or term when there\u2019s no commonly used abbreviation, use a word from the full name.<\/p>\n Do not create an acronym. For example, rather than using HRTO for the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, you might choose Tribunal.<\/p>\n For some serious and sensitive topics, acronyms may not be appropriate. They could be seen as erasing or glossing over an important issue.<\/p>\n For example, when possible, use:<\/p>\n An exception is using hashtags<\/strong> in social media if they\u2019re created by a community affected by an issue.<\/p>\n Spell out \u201cpage” rather than using \u201cp.\u201d or \u201cpg\u201d.<\/p>\n Spell out the words in an address. For example, use “Avenue” not “Ave.” and use “East” not “E”.<\/p>\n You might use short forms in more formal material or for audiences with a higher reading ability. But spelling words out is clearer for any audience.<\/p>\n Do not use \u201cand\/or\u201d as its meaning is not clear. It\u2019s difficult for readers to understand. And writers often use it incorrectly.<\/p>\n Used correctly, \u201cand\/or\u201d means \u201cX or Y or both\u201d. Rewrite to reflect that meaning.<\/p>\n Instead of:<\/span><\/strong> It\u2019s made of flour, butter, and\/or margarine.<\/p>\n Write:<\/span><\/strong> It\u2019s made of flour and either butter or margarine or both.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Instead of:<\/span><\/strong> For committing these crimes, an adult could be fined up to $5,000 and\/or go to prison for up to 6 months.<\/p>\n Write:<\/span><\/strong> For committing these crimes, an adult could:<\/p>\n Use words your reader knows.<\/p>\n Avoid legal terms unless your reader needs to know them.<\/p>\n And if you need to include a legal term, give a clear definition.<\/p>\n Example:<\/span><\/strong> The first step is to ask Service Canada for a \u201creconsideration\u201d of the decision. This means that you ask them to review and change their decision. <\/p>\n Example:<\/span><\/strong> An acquittal means that the court found you not guilty.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n In our legal information materials, when referring to organizations or government departments, we suggest using they<\/strong> or their<\/strong>. Do not use it or its.<\/p>\n This includes tribunals, and programs like the Canada Pension Plan, Children\u2019s Aid Society, Ontario Works, and the Ontario Disability Support Program.<\/p>\n Example:<\/span><\/strong> The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) has rules about who they include as part of your household.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Note:<\/strong> For your content, you might decide the singular is better. If you choose to use \u201cit\u201d, make sure to be consistent.<\/p> Latin phrases are often used in the law.<\/p>\n Do not use them unless the reader needs to know what they mean. And then always include a clear definition.<\/p>\n For example, if you need to refer to a subpoena, make sure to explain what it means<\/a>.<\/p>\n Etc. A common mistake is to use it at the end of a list that starts with:<\/p>\n You\u2019ve already made it clear that you\u2019re giving a selection and not a full list.<\/p>\n Write:<\/span><\/strong> This can include your living expenses for things like groceries and rent.<\/p>\n Not:<\/span><\/strong> This can include your living expenses for things like groceries, rent, etc.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n E.g. and i.e. Most readers will not know their original Latin meanings of \u201cexempli gratia\u201d and \u201cid est\u201d.<\/p>\n Write:<\/span><\/strong> The pay stub must have the pay period, for example, April 16 to May 1.<\/p>\n Not:<\/span><\/strong> The pay stub must have the pay period, e.g., April 16 to May 1.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n There are many other Latin phrases to avoid including:<\/p>\n See longer lists in:<\/p>\n Idioms are culturally specific sayings. Avoid using these because not all of your readers will understand them.<\/p>\n Examples:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019re not sure if something is an idiom, there are a lot of online lists, such as:<\/p>\nHow to use them<\/h3>\n
Using periods in acronyms<\/h3>\n
Do not repeat words<\/h3>\n
Needs of the reader<\/h3>\n
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When there\u2019s no acronym<\/h3>\n
When not to use an acronym<\/h3>\n
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Other abbreviations<\/h3>\n
And\/or<\/h2>\n
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Avoid jargon<\/h2>\n
Collective nouns<\/h2>\n
Avoid Latin phrases<\/h2>\n
Overview<\/h3>\n
Common examples<\/h3>\n
<\/strong>Do not use \u201cetc.\u201d, which is a short form for \u201cet cetera\u201d. It means \u201cand others\u201d or \u201cand so on\u201d.<\/p>\n\n
<\/strong>Do not use \u201ce.g.\u201d or \u201ci.e.\u201d for \u201cfor example\u201d and \u201csuch as\u201d.<\/p>\n\n
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EnglishClub<\/li>\n
Books \u2018N\u2019 Backpacks<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nIdioms<\/h2>\n
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