Final answer:
Abbreviations are shortened forms of words or phrases, acronyms are created from the first letters of a series of words to form a new word, and eponyms are derived from the name of a person or place. When introduced in writing, full names are followed by abbreviations or acronyms in parentheses, which can then be used in subsequent references.
Step-by-step explanation:
Meanings of Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Eponyms
Abbreviations, acronyms, and eponyms are all ways to shorten longer terms or phrases. Abbreviations are shortened forms of words or phrases. For example, 'U.S. Department of Agriculture' is often abbreviated to 'USDA' after the first mention. An acronym is a type of abbreviation that takes the first letters of a series of words and creates a new word from them. A widely known example is 'NASA', which stands for National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Acronyms often serve as mnemonic devices; for instance, 'HOMES' helps remember the names of the five Great Lakes - Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior. Lastly, eponyms are words that are derived from the name of a person or place. An example of this is 'Alzheimer's disease', named after the neurologist Alois Alzheimer.
When writing, it is common practice to write out full names the first time, followed by the abbreviation or acronym in parentheses. Then, the abbreviation or acronym can be used for subsequent references. This practice helps readers understand what the shorter terms represent without confusion.