List of Abbreviations/Symbols

This is an optional section. If you use many abbreviations or symbols, you should include a List of Abbreviations and/or List of Symbols.

These lists identify the abbreviations or symbols that are used in the body and appendices of the disquisition and provide a definition for each item.

Do not combine abbreviations and symbols into a single list. If you create a List of Abbreviations or List of Symbols, all notable abbreviations or symbols that are used in the text and appendices should be included.

Page Contents
  1. Formatting Guidelines
  2. Frequently Asked Questions
  3. Troubleshooting
    1. Alignment

Guidelines: List of Abbreviations/Symbols

  • Order – The List of Abbreviations/Symbols must appear after the List of Tables, Figures, Schemes, etc., and before the List of Appendix Tables, Figures, etc. For more information, see Required Order of Elements. As prefatory material, number the pages with lower-case Roman numerals.
  • Alignment – Abbreviations and symbols must be aligned flush against the left margin. Definitions should be left-aligned approximately 2.5 inch from each abbreviation or symbol.
    • When the definition of an item is longer than one line, subsequent lines should be aligned with the first word in the definition.
  • Justification – To avoid awkward gaps between words, do not justify the alignment.
  • Dot leaders – Use dot leaders to connect the abbreviation or symbol with its definition.
  • Spacing – Set entries to be single spaced, with one line of space between each entry.

Quick Answers

You should strongly consider including each abbreviation or symbol. Extremely common abbreviations, such as ROI or DNA, could be left out at your discretion. However, while their use may feel familiar and common to you, their definition may be impenetrable to some of your readers, and some abbreviations or symbols have a multitude of uses across different fields and disciplines, further obfuscating their meaning.

Issue: Entries are Out of Alignment

Requirements:

  1. Abbreviations and symbols must be aligned flush against the left margin. Definitions should be left-aligned 3" from the left page margin.
  2. When the definition of an item is longer than one line, subsequent lines should be aligned with the first word in the definition.

Resolution:

  1. Apply the "List of Abbreviations/Symbols Entry" style if available, or change the list's paragraph settings directly. Ensure there is a tab space between the abbreviation or symbol and its definition.

If your document has a "List of Abbreviations/Symbols Entry" style, apply it to your list. If there are still issues, check and correct the style's settings or change the list's paragraph settings directly.

To set definitions at 3" on the page, set a tab stop at 3" from the tab button in the bottom-left of the paragraph settings. In the paragraph settings, also set a 3" hanging indent. Then, add a tab space between the abbreviation or symbol and its definition, if one is not already present.

Disquisition Site Map
Preparing to Graduate
 Graduate School Policies • Templates & Forms • Pre-submission Requirements • Submit Your Disquisition
DQKB
 General Requirements Accessibility • Section Order • Font • Headings • Page Numbers
Prefatory Material Title Page • Approval Page • Table of Contents • List of Tables, Figures, Etc. • List of Abbreviations/Symbols • List of Appendix Tables, Figures, Etc.
Disquisition Body Paragraph Text • Equations • Tables, Figures, Etc. • References / Citations • Appendices • Landscape Pages

Center for Writers

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