G.L The Period/Abbreviations Punctuation marks help the reader to understand the meaning of what is written A period helps the reader to know where a sentence begins and ends A declarative sentence needs a period at the end An imperative sentence needs a period at the end

Initials/outline We place periods after the initials in a person’s name: Alexander G. Bell, J.J. Curtis In an outline, letters and numbers require a period after them I. Types of flowers A. Annuals B. Perennials

Abbreviations Sometimes we shorten words by abbreviating them. Abbreviations often require periods, but not always. Check the dictionary if you have questions. We do not generally use abbreviations in formal writing. When in doubt, spell it out. Time of day: a.m., p.m. Days of the week: Sun. (Sunday), Mon. (Monday), Fri. (Friday) Months of the year: Jan. (January), Sept. (September), May/June (no abbreviation)

Proper Places/Personal Titles/Compass Proper places: Dr. (Drive), St. (Street), Mt. (Mount, Mountain), Bldg. (building) Personal titles: Mr. (Mister), Mrs. (Mistress), Miss (no abbreviation), Dr. (doctor), Prof. (professor), Sen. (senator) Compass directions: N. (north), S. (south), N.E. (northeast), S.W. (southwest) Others: Co. (company), Ltd. (limited), Inc. (incorporated), est. (estimated)

Abbreviating in formal writing In most of our writing we spell out entire words and do not abbreviate. However we use the following abbreviations even in formal writing: Personal titles such as Mr., Mrs., Jr., Ph.D. Abbreviations that are part of an organization’s legal name such as Inc., Co. Abbreviations used in expressions of time such as a.m., B.C.