3 Style

3.1 Use of subject pronouns

Avoid the use of pronouns such as ‘I,’ ‘we,’ and ‘you.’ Sometimes, ‘we’ is OK, but avoid as much as possible ‘I’ and ‘you’ in general.

Correct:

One can see the result

We performed an experiment to confirm the effect of blah on blue

An experiment was performed to confirm the effect of blah on blue

Incorrect:

You can see the result

I did an experiment to confirm the effect of blah on blue

3.2 Use of the word “this”

The word “this” by itself can be ambiguous. Use a noun after it to clarify:

Correct:

We found a significant effect of task in the second experiment.
This result suggests that ...

Incorrect:

We found a significant effect of task in the second experiment.
This suggests that ...

Here’s why:

In the latter case, is “this” referring to the second experiment or to the finding of an effect?

3.3 Use of the words “above” and “below”

Refer to figures, tables, etc. by their label, not by their relative location to the text.

Correct:

As shown in Table\,ref{myTable}, ...

Incorrect:

As shown in the Table above, ...

Here’s why:

The actual placement of a table or a figure relative to the text may change. A table that was originally located above a paragraph may turn out to be in a different page, or below the paragraph where is being referred from. Using label always guarantees that the table or figure is always correctly identified.

3.4 Do not use contractions

Correct:

do not, is not, will not

Incorrect:

don't, isn't, won't

3.5 Space and punctuation marks

In text, there’s no space before comma, colon, semicolon, period, etc., even after parenthesis; but there’s a space after it.

Correct:

Red, green, and blue. What color is your favorite?

Incorrect:

Red , green , and blue.

Red ,green ,and blue.

Red,green,and blue.

There are three colors (red, green, and blue) .  What color is your favorite?

3.6 Space and parenthesis

Always use space before an opening parenthesis ‘(’ and after a closing parenthesis ‘)’ (except when followed by comma, period, etc.)

In common text:

Correct:

(a) This is an item

Life is but a dream (hello darling) song

Life is but a dream (hello darling), you are welcome.

Incorrect:

(a)This is an item

[a]This is another item

Life is but a dream(hello darling)song

Life is but a dream (hello darling)song

Life is but a dream(hello darling) song

Life is but a dream ( hello darling ) song

Life is but a dream (hello darling ) song

Life is but a dream ( hello darling) song

Life is but a dream (hello darling) , you are welcome.

Using references

Correct (this is a common LaTeX error):
```
The Harmonic Exciters \cite{PJ}
```
Incorrect:
```
The Harmonic Exciters\cite{PJ}
```

3.7 Initial letters

The initial letter of a title (section, chapter, figure, table, etc.) must be capitalized. Different institutions, conferences, and journals have sometimes different recommendations. For example, the recommendation at the University of Aizu is now to follow the IEEE Style Guide, which specifies that every important word of a title gets capitalized.

Correct:

3.2.1 Corpus

4.5 Writing the Best Research

Incorrect:

3.2.1 corpus

4.5 Writing the best research

The last example is wrong according the IEEE Style Guide.

3.8 Abbreviations

When spelling an abbreviation, capitalize the first letter of the words:

Correct:

Objective Intelligibility Metrics (OIMs)

Incorrect:

objective intelligibility metrics (OIMs)

3.9 Spell out abbreviations the first time they are used

Even if there is a list of abbreviations in your document, spelling out abbreviations when introduced helps the reader to better understand the text.

Correct:

Chapter 1

Introduction

Head-Related Transfer Functions (HRTFs) have been studied in the context of spatial sound.

Incorrect:

Chapter 1

Introduction

HRTFs have been studied in the context of spatial sound.

3.10 Nouns as adjectives

Nouns are usually singular when used as adjectives Correct:

The loudspeaker responses
The headphone cords

Incorrect:

The loudspeakers responses
The headphones cords

3.11 Digits in running text

Spell out numbers from 1 to 20 in running text. Some styles vary on the maximum number to spell out and some other rules apply.

Correct:

Two out of three experiments failed
There were 23 little monkeys playing the bassoon

Incorrect:

2 out of 3 experiments failed
23 little monkeys playing the bassoon