Avoid using abbreviations and acronyms whenever possible. Unless the short form is more familiar, they're bad for readability and can alienate readers. So, write things out in full to make your content accessible and inclusive.
Very common abbreviations that are globally recognised are OK to use. But never abbreviate Professor to Prof – they worked hard for the -essor.
Don't use points in abbreviations.
<aside> ✅ Dr
</aside>
<aside> ✅ exam
</aside>
<aside> ✅ lab
</aside>
<aside> ✅ Ms
</aside>
<aside> ✅ St
</aside>
<aside> ❌ St.
</aside>
<aside> ❌ Prof
</aside>
Avoid common Latin abbreviations, such as etc, eg and ie. They might save you space, but as George Orwell remarked, why would you use a foreign word when a native equivalent exists? There are good plain English alternatives that will make your writing easier to understand:
Etc – use "and others" or include complete lists where possible.
Eg – use "for example", "such as" or "including".
<aside> ✅ Our research spans several interlinked areas, including literary studies, postcolonial studies, gender studies and others.
</aside>
Ie – Use "that is", "meaning", "in other words" or rewrite the sentence.
<aside> ✅ How we use our voice, in other words how we express ourselves in our content, is fundamental to people's perception of our brand.
</aside>
Ibid – Meaning "in the same place", this is allowed in academic writing for repeat citations, especially in footnotes, but not in general communications. Instead write the reference out again in full.