Academic Writing Guide

APA, WRITING, EDITING, and PROOFREADING GUIDE

Lee Bowman
ELearningProf.net
lbowmanprof@yahoo.com
© 2006
updated August 2007

Please note that everything included in this guide will be graded in your paper. Take the time to proofread and edit your paper according to all the APA formatting and graduate level writing information included in this resource.

PAPER FORMAT: All written papers must be formatted as follows:
DO NOT:
**type page headers or page numbers. Use the MS Word page header feature
**hit enter to double space. Use the MS Word formatting feature for double spacing.
**use space bar to indent. Use the MS Word formatting feature

Title page: Always use only Times New Roman 12 point font; no bold print. Do not put title in all capital letters; use title case.
Headers: First two-three words of paper title followed by page number, aligned right margin
Use ONLY 12 font Times New Roman for title page, paper, reference list (no other font is acceptable in my class)
Word Processed
Double-spaced .
One-inch margins
Only one space after the ending punctuation of sentences. If you usually put two spaces, use Find and Replace to fix them all after you've completed the paper
Margins should be aligned left (do not justify margins)
Indent first line of each paragraph 5 spaces to show paragraph and do not skip extra lines between paragraphs.
DO NOT use abstract or running head but do use level one headings to organize your paper

HOW TO WRITE A THESIS STATEMENT, INTRODUCTION, & CONCLUSION
The thesis statement is part of the introduction and not a separate part of the paper.

LEO Thesis Statements

OWL: The "SO WHAT" Test

UNC Handout Thesis Statements

DO NOT ANNOUNCE the thesis of your paper with phrases such as “I will discuss……” or “This paper will…...”

A thesis sentence should both identify the topic of the paper and indicate the author's attitude toward the topic or position on the topic. Thus, it should do more than announce a topic. Announcements take the form of This paper will do such-and-such or In this paper I will . . . ..
Alice L. Trupe, 2001, Bridgewater College

From University of Madison-Wisconsin Writing Center:
A thesis statement is a sentence that makes an assertion about a topic and predicts how the topic will be developed. It does not simply announce a topic: it says something about the topic.

X: In this paper, I will discuss how ABC……..

OK: ABC has made a significant impact on the teenage population due to its . . .

A thesis statement makes a promise to the reader about the scope, purpose, and direction of the paper. It summarizes the conclusions that the writer has reached about the topic. A thesis statement is focused and specific enough to be proven within the boundaries of the paper. Key words (nouns and verbs) should be specific, accurate, and indicative of the range of research, thrust of the argument or analysis, and the organization of supporting information.

ThIS APA RESOURCE will help you use source properly in your writing.
If you do not follow these guidelines, your work will be in violation of the University Academic Honesty Policies and will be considered to be plagiarized.

USING SOURCES IN YOUR WRITING
This information explains how to use sources and citations in your work

Strategies for Writing Introductions

STYLE and ACADEMIC WRITING
Academic writing is FORMAL, not casual or informal.

Do not use first person point of view: I, me, we, our, us, etc.
NEVER use second person point of view: you, your, etc.
Do not use phrases such as I think that, I believe that, I feel that, in my opinion, etc.
Do not use these words: IT, OF, BY, BEING, ONE,
Do not use slang or other informal diction.
BE PRECISE AND CLEAR. AVOID Wordiness: the fact that, at that point in time. in other words, play a role, due to, as a result of, as to why, whereas, thus, therefore, which is, the most common, one of, not only, but also, very, extremely, really, a lot, great, best, usually, greater, many, most, some, a little, a few, often, sometimes, oftentimes, can be established, such as, just as, of this, is that, the fact that, means that, for many reasons, all these, serve to, to name a few, in order to, when it comes to, as noted, on the part of, by means of, after all, this means that, the reason is, in general, again, once again, etc.
Don't give readers commands such as: Be sure to ..... or any similar sentences.
Avoid negatives (use failed rather than did not, for example)
Don't use words like important, imperative, vital, essential, valuable, key, inevitable, paramount, significant, necessary, core, fundamental, priority, pivotal, evident, unique, or other synonyms for these words
Do not editorialize your writing, including words like: unfortunately, virtually impossible, well worth, obviously, hopefully, fortunately, invaluable, undoubtedly, assuredly, literally, etc.
Write out all contractions: can't should be cannot, for instance.
Do not begin sentences (or phrases/clauses within sentences) with ANY of the following words: AS, IT, IN, THERE, THIS, THAT, THEY, THEIR, BY, IF, WHEN, WHILE, WITH, BECAUSE, THROUGH, WITH
Do not use THAT when referring to people. The pronoun WHO refers to people.
Under no circumstances should you use these words at all: NEED, MUST, SHOULD -- these words imply that you are giving instructions to your reader.
"to be" verbs should be used sparingly: is, are, was, were, etc..
Use commas and semi-colons properly.
In a series of three or more nouns or noun phrases, insert a comma before the word "and" or "or"
Do not make announcements such as this paper will, in this paper I will, in the article, in the essay, etc.
Do not use pretentious words intended to impress readers. If you use words your reader might not know, explain them. Example: utilize should be use. Other examples: plethora, elicit, ensue, illustrative, empowerment,
Never use words that seem uncertain: could, might, may, maybe, probably, etc.
Use THAT and WHICH correctly
Possessive nouns -- use apostrophes properly for singular and plural possessive noun forms.
Do not use scenarios or anecdotes or other examples to illustrate points. This is a research paper, not a creative writing assignment.
Do not use passive voice in your writing. Be concise and clear. Passive voice makes the sentence too wordy.
Use active voice, clear, precise, and concise sentences

Vague Pronouns: Make sure that pronouns such as "it" and "this" refer to something specific.

PRONOUNS SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH PRECISE NOUNS to improve clarity. Use precise language. Avoid “it.” "You" and other personal pronouns are never used in an academic report. "This" and "these" need a noun referent for clarity. "One" is generally a formal and acceptable pronoun.

X: Boy Scouts at the camp can learn cooking, canoeing, swimming, or how to make ropes.
OK : Boy Scouts at the camp can learn cooking, canoeing, swimming, or rope-making.

X: Non-traditional students often study long hours, get limited sleep, and up again with the sunrise.
OK: Non-traditional students often study long hours, get limited sleep, and are up again with the sunrise.

Using That and Who
In academic writing that refers only to things. Who (or its forms whom and whose) refers only to people.
Examples:

X In Chapter four of my autobiography it says that I was born out of wedlock.
OK: Chapter four of my autobiography states that I was born out of wedlock.

X In the restaurant they gave me someone else's linguini.
OK In the restaurant, the server gave me someone else's linguini.

X In the fourteenth century, you had to struggle to survive.
OK In the fourteenth century, English peasant farmers had to struggle to survive.

Antecedent Agreement
The antecedent of a pronoun is the word which the pronoun stands for. In the first sentence on this page the pronoun which is taking the place of word. Therefore, word is the antecedent.

         X Every student must have their pencils.
        (Both every and student are singular; therefore, his, her, or his or her must be used. Their is plural and cannot refer to a singular noun.)
        OK Every student must have his or her pencil.