Grammar Girl here.

Today, I'm going to talk about how to format web addresses for print documents and websites.

A listener named Eileen recently asked how to deal with a web address at the end of a sentence.

Should she put a period or other terminal punctuation mark at the end of the sentence as she

would normally would?

Leave the period off so the reader doesn't mistakenly include it in the address?

Or do something funky, such as put quotes around the web address?

Most of my books don't cover URL formatting, but the Chicago Manual of Style, which is probably

the most comprehensive guide when it comes to formatting, says web addresses don't need

special treatment.

So put the punctuation in just as you would if the sentence ended with a word or a number.

Whether you should write out the full URL, including the HTTP and WW Part, is a matter

of style.

If you're including a web address in a list of references and you're using a specific

referencing style like Chicago MLA or APA, then you follow their specific recommendations.

But if you're writing an essay or email, then the style is up to you or your boss or teacher.

Some people prefer to write out the entire address, whereas others prefer to write the

shortest address possible that will still work when you type it into a web browser.

Every browser I'm aware of will take you to the right page even if you leave off the

WW Part and everything that comes before it.

Just decide on a style and stick with it.

Nancy in Shawnee Mission, Kansas, wanted to know if her students should make their URL's

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