Requirements for Writing Assignments

1. Requirementsfor Writing Assignments • Follow APA, 6th edition. • Use 1’’ margins. • Some pages may not have one inch margin at bottom of page if you use widow/orphan control. • Use 12 pt. font / Times New Roman. • For confidentiality, avoid using real names of people and places.

2. Title Page: Required • Title page is the first page of your document. • Title page is included in the same electronic file as document. • The title for your paper is the assignment name & your name. • Do not bold, place in quotation marks, underline, italicize, place in all caps, or use a period at the end of your title.

3. Title Page: Required • Include a header with your name & the assignment name. • Double-space the title page. • Beneath the title of the paper, type: • Your name • Semester & year (Fall 2013) • ECSE 3210 & section letter (ECSE 3210 A) • Dr. Tonja Root, Instructor • Valdosta State University

4. Page 1 of the Paper • Include the title (centered at the top) on first page of text. • Title is the assignment name & your name. • In the title, capitalize the first word & all major words of title. • Double-space title, if needed. • Double-space ALL text in the paper (even between paragraphs). • Left-justify all text. (flush left)

5. Body of the Paper • In formal academic writing: • Avoid writing like you talk. • Double-space ALL text (even between paragraphs).

6. Body of Paper • Avoid unnecessary commas. • Do not use commas following conjunctions (and, but, etc.) that link dependent clauses (cannot stand alone as a complete sentence). • Include a comma to separate two independent clauses joined by a conjunction. • Use a comma between all elements in a series of three or more items (even before the “and”).

7. For additional information… • In regard to grammar, punctuation, and capitalization rules, access the following websites: • Grammarbook.comhttp://www.grammarbook.com/ • OWL at Purdue General Writing Resourceshttp://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/1/ • In regard to APA, access the following website: • OWL at Purdue APA Formatting and Style Guide • http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/

8. Body of Paper • Do not use the word “you” as an indefinite pronoun • Avoid using the word “you” to mean anyone – to refer to people in general use the word “people” or the word “one” • APA: Periods and commas always go inside quotation marks; place other punctuation marks inside quotation marks only when part of quoted material

9. Body of Paper • Avoid beginning sentences with “and” or “but” • Avoid the use of slashes between words (to stand for the word and oror) • Avoid using contractions • Avoid using acronyms (the first time) • Avoid beginning consecutive paragraphs with the same word • Avoid beginning consecutive sentences with the same word

10. Body of Paper • A pronoun must agree with its antecedent Correct example: A teacher works hard when he or she has to write daily lesson plans. (he or she is the pronoun which is singular; the word teacher, the pronoun’s antecedent, is also singular)Incorrect example: A teacher works hard when they have to write daily lesson plans. (the pronoun they is plural but its antecedent, the word teacher, is singular)

11. Body of Paper • Avoid the overuse of the word “that” • Avoid using “In my opinion…,” “in order to…,” “I believe,” and “I think” • Avoid vague words - use definite, specific, concrete language (Example: Instead of using the words “in spite of the fact” use the word “though” or although”) • Paragraphs should be between 3-7 sentences (a 5 sentence paragraph is best)

12. Use spell check (but will not check correct word usage – for example principal/principle and to/too/two) • Allow enough time to proofread your work and have someone you trust proofread your work so you can make corrections (with a word processor) BEFORE you turn in the assignment

13. Visit the Student Success Center in Langdale Hall for help and tutoring