Final answer:
The statement is A. true; there is an exception for using periods and spacing when abbreviating initials for first and middle names in references, such as J.K. Rowling or T.S. Eliot. This rule also extends to certain acronyms and scientific names after their first full mention within a text.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is regarding an exception for periods and spacing in English punctuation, particularly when it comes to abbreviations, such as initials for names in references. The correct answer to this is A) True. There are indeed specific cases, primarily in formal writing, where a period is used after each initial, even if they are back-to-back, to properly indicate that each letter stands for a separate name or part of a name. This is evident when first and middle names are abbreviated in academic citations or professional contexts.
To follow the appropriate guidelines for academic or professional writing, you should write out full names the first time they are mentioned, followed by any abbreviations or acronyms in parentheses. Afterwards, it is acceptable to use just the abbreviations or acronyms for the remainder of the document. For example, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is first written out in full and can then be referred to as the USDA. Another use of periods in abbreviations is seen in scientific texts, where an organism's genus and species name is abbreviated after its first mention, as with Escherichia coli, which can be abbreviated to E. coli.