subject: How To Use Acronyms to Remember Information [print this page] How To Use Acronyms to Remember Information
An acronym is generally a word formed from the initials or from the elements of a compound term of the material to be memorized which may come in any order, and is usually spelled without periods.
Acronyms that are formed create real words and/or non-sensible words, long as the words can be pronounced, such as NASA for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Organizations may take on a name so that the acronym indicates the nature of the organization, for instance, BUILD coming from Build Up Individual Lives Daily. Acronyms are applied during lectures or during a self-study to encourage retention of data effectively.
To form an acronym, keep in mind the following:
Write the material that you need to remember
Underline the first word of the detail that you would want to remember, if the information you need to remember is more than one, ONLY underline the first letter of the first word of the material.
Arrange the letters that you have underlined to form the acronym
There are several types of acronyms. Here are some types of acronyms and common examples to describe and differentiate each.
when pronounced as a word, used with initial letters
AIDS: acquired immune deficiency syndrome
when pronounced as a combination of names of letters and a word
JPEG: (J-[p]) Joint Photographic Experts Group
when pronounced as the names of letters but with a shortcut
NCAA or NC double A: National Collegiate Athletic Association
when pronounced as a word or names of letters, depending on speaker or context
FAQ: [fk] frequently asked questions
when pronounced as a word, used with non-initial letters
Radar: radio detection and ranging
when pronounced only as the names of letters
USA: United States of America
Initialism whose last abbreviated word is often redundantly included anyway
ATM machine: Automated Teller Machine machine
HIV virus: Human Immunodeficiency Virus virus
Pseudo-acronyms or internet slang, which consist of a sequence of characters that, when pronounced as intended, invoke other, longer words with less typing
