Abbreviations
As academic writing is formal in style, most abbreviations should be avoided. Even the common ones shown below:
Some common ones to avoid
Avoid e.g. and i.e., instead use for example and for instance.
Avoid etc. There isn't really an alternative, so rewrite the sentence.
Avoid dept, govt. Usedepartment, government.
Avoid NB, instead use note that.
Avoid vsor v, instead use versus or against (except in Law reports or cases)
Some acceptable abbreviations
Titles
Titles such as Mr. Dr. Prof. are acceptable when using them in conjunction with the individual's name i.e. Dr. Smith.
Some Latin phrases
et al. (short form of et alia - and othersis acceptable when giving in text citations with multiple authors. The full stop should always be included afterwards to acknowledge the abbreviation. It does not need to be italicised as it is in common usage.
ibid. (short form of ibidim - in the same place) is acceptable if using footnote references to indicate that a reference is the same as the previous one. Again, always include the full stop to acknowledge the abbreviation. It is the convention to italicise this as it is less commonly used.
sic (short form of sicerat scriptum - thus it was written). This is used to indicate there was an error in something you are quoting (either an interviewee or an author) and it is not a misquote. It is added in square brackets but is neither italicised nor followed by a full stopi.e.
"it'd be great if unis [sic] could develop a person's self-knowledge"
