TOEFL iBT Integrated Writing Task

Acronym reading notes
Main Idea: Acronym, special type of abbreviation such as NATO
Derivation: from Greek means ‘topmost word’
MP1 --- first type of acronym
              -- all expressions using first letter or part of word
                     - examples, not only JAL, Laser, but also CNN
MP2 --- second type of acronym
              -- only expressions that can be pronounced as a word
                     - in this view JAL is OK, Laser is OK
                     - but CNN is not OK (CNN is an initialism)
MP3 --- third group of expressions combine 'pure' acronym and initialism
                    -- called acronym-initialism hybrid
                        - examples, JPEG, MS-DOS                

Backronym Listening notes
Main Idea: Backronym, a kind of false acronym
Definition: expression that starts and ordinary word, later becomes acronym, can be serious or humourous
MP1 --- serious examples of backronym
                  -- PERL computer language, just name
                        - later people add meaning Primary Extraction and Retrieval Language
                        - Perl's creator never intended this
                  -- SOS, just morse code
                        - later people add meaning Save Our Souls
MP2 --- humorous example of backronym
                 -- golf, old Scottish name of sport
                       - later people add meaning Gentlemen Only Ladies Forbidden
MP3 --- another type of bacronym (acronyms whose original meaning changes)
                  -- DVD
                        - originally Digital Video Disc, later Digital Versatile Disc

(Do NOT try to include all of the notes above in your essay. These notes are very complete. You will not have time to reproduce them in your essay. Write only what you think is most important.)

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