Final answer:
In formal writing and correspondence, 'Dr. + last name' is the proper format to address a doctor. Academic citations for works with more than two authors use 'first author's last name et al.', and for authors with the same last name, initials are included. Use the highest ranking or context-relevant title in salutations for professional or academic communication.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the proper usage of titles when addressing individuals, specifically in a professional or academic context. In formal writing and correspondence, titles should be used to convey respect and to clearly identify the person's professional status. When addressing a doctor, whether in a letter or in person, it is common to use Dr. + the last name. For example, 'Dr. Smith' would be appropriate. In academic writing, when citing works with multiple authors it is customary to list only the first author's last name followed by "et al." if there are more than two authors. When authors share a last name, their initials can be used to differentiate them, as in 'J.T.
Greene and M. Greene.' It is also important to capitalize titles that precede a person's name in a sentence, making the content loaded with indications of respect and formality.When writing a business letter or in academic contexts where there is an established hierarchy or titles such as President, Professor or Doctor, it is essential to use the correct honorific. If you are unsure of the preferred title or if the individual has multiple titles, default to the higher ranking title or the one relevant to the context, such as 'Dr. John Doe' or 'John Doe, PhD'. The salutation of a letter should mirror the name used in the recipient's address, ensuring consistency and respectfulness throughout the correspondence.