creative fiction writers with that for non-fiction authors. The
sources I recommend are worth consulting, but do also bear in
mind the caveats I make about each book and the general need
not to overdo a search for style improvements. Let me close by
briefly pulling out just one instance of this detailed advice here,
concerning capitalizing words and acronyms. It is best to min-
imize the use of capitals in your text for two reasons. Capitals
tend to make the text less readable, especially when used in
headings for sections or for tables, charts and diagrams. Try to
keep all these elements in lower case after the first letter, except
for proper nouns that are normally capitalized. In addition,
most journals and book publishers pursue a minimum capital-
ization policy, so that you will reduce later editing changes by
following this pattern in your text from the outset. Be careful
also about the use of acronyms in your thesis. A page with lots
of acronyms, that is, with many organizations or concepts
reduced to initials, will be less readable than normal text. Only
use acronyms for specialized concepts that recur a lot (at least
three or four times) and choose the simplest form of the
acronym possible (for instance, Nato or NATO, but not
N.A.T.O.). Each acronym should be carefully explained on first
use, and if you start reusing it after a period when it has not
been present. Consider sometimes using substitute words or
descriptors instead of an acronym on pages where it appears a
lot: it will make your text easier for readers. You must also post
a comprehensive glossary of acronyms and abbreviations at the
start of your thesis, placed just after the contents page and the
lists of tables or figures, so that bemused readers can remind
themselves what you are referring to.
Effective referencing
When a thing has been said, and said well,
have no scruple. Take it and copy it.
Anatole France^11Fairly or not, doctorates are notorious for being over-referenced.
This aspect of authoring often absorbs a disproportionate
120 ◆AUTHORING A PHD