SlideShare una empresa de Scribd logo
1 de 16
Writing Skills
Writing Mechanics
Writing Mechanics
• Numbers and dates
• Dates and page numbers are not spelled out
• Numbers from one to nine spelled out, and numerals for numbers above 10 (APA)
• Use a numeral only if the number cannot be spelled out in two words or less
• Spell out any number that is the beginning of a sentence
• Percentages
• Use numbers in percentages and amounts of money (APA)
• Ranges of numbers
• Use numerals to express both the first and last number of the range (APA)
• Dates
• Consistency is the prime rule – use either “day month year” or “month day year”
but not both
• No comma between the month and year
• Ranges of one year can be expressed as 1929-30 or 1929 to 1930, but ranges
beyond one year must be written as 1930 to 1951
Writing Mechanics
• Titles (in text of document)
• Titles for the following are italicized in APA format
• Published books
• Plays
• Long Poems
• Pamphlets
• Newspaper mastheads
• Magazines and jornals
• Classical works
• Films
• Television and radio programs
• Ballets
• Operas
• Instrumental music listed by
name
• Paintings
• Sculptures
• Ships
• Aircraft
Writing Mechanics
• Titles (continued)
• Titles for the following are placed in quotation marks in APA format
• Short stories
• Short poems
• Songs
• Newspaper articles
• Magazine and journal articles
• Encyclopedia articles
• Subdivisions in books
• Unpublished dissertations
• Lectures
• Television episodes
• Titles of sacred writings, series, editions, societies, conventional
titles and parts of books are not italicized nor are they enclosed in
quotation marks
Writing Mechanics
• Titles (continued)
• If a title enclosed by quotation marks appears within an italicized
title, the quotation marks are retained
• If an italicized title appears within a title enclosed in quotation
marks, the italic is retained
• Single quotation marks are used with a title requiring quotation
marks that appears within another title requiring quotation
marks
• A title that would normally be italicized that appears within
another title that is italicized is not italicized
• If you refer to a title frequently in your paper, use the full title in
the first reference and then use a shortened title in subsequent
references using key words within the title
Writing Mechanics
• Underlining and Italics
• Italicize phrases, words, letters or numerals cited as linguistic
examples
• Italicize foreign words in English texts
• Use underlining sparingly for emphasis
• A series of words are underlined continuously rather than separately
• Names of people
• Omit formal titles when referring to people, living or dead, by their
last names
• It is acceptable to use simplified names for famous people
• It is acceptable to use an author’s pseudonym rather than the
author’s real name
• The particles in foreign names (van, von, der, de) usually are not
included in references to people
• When in doubt, consult a biographical dictionary or encyclopedia for
names of famous people
Writing Mechanics
• Hyphenating words
• Word processors handle end-of-line hyphenation automatically
• Compound words sometimes require hyphens but may not
depending on use
• Correct syllabification of words can be found in a dictionary
• Never hyphenate a one-syllable word
• Do not end or begin a line with a single letter
• Make no division that might cause confusion in either the
meaning or pronunciation of a word
• Divide hyphenated words only at the hyphen
• Do not divide proper names
• Do not end several consecutive lines with a hyphen
Writing Mechanics
• Spaces and punctuation marks
• Use just one space after all end punctuation marks
• Punctuate initials of a personal name with a period followed by a
single space
• Use two hyphens to indicate a dash, with no extra space before or
after the hyphens
• Within common abbreviations punctuated by periods, do not use a
space after the first period
• Use a space before and after the slash that separates lines of a
quoted poem
• A hyphen used as a minus sign is preceded and followed by a single
space
• A hyphen used to indicate a negative number is preceded by a single
space but not followed by one
• Use a single space after all other punctuation marks
Writing Mechanics
• Commonly used abbreviations in research papers
• anon. anonymous
• app. appendix
• bibliog. bibliography, bibliographer, bibliographical
• biog. biography, biographer, biographical
• bk., bks. book(s)
• ©copyright (© 1997)
• c., ca. circa
• ed., eds. edited by, editor(s), edition(s)
• e.g. exempli gratia, example given, for example – use within parentheses
• et. al. et alii, and others
• fig., figs. figure(s)
• ibid. ibidem, in the same place – avoid – use author’s last name and page
• i.e. id est, that is
• p., pp. page(s)
What is Documentation?
• Documentation is the method you choose to give credit to the
source of any borrowed idea, fact, clever remark, or original
observation that you use in your paper
• General knowledge, common sayings, and self-evident opinions do
not need to be documented
• If you are not sure whether to document, do so
• Document sources twice:
• In the body of the paper
• In the reference list
Citations
• Parenthetical citations:
• Identify sources within parentheses at the end of the passage
• Relate passage with a specific source in the bibliography
• Identify the name of the author if it is not part of the passage
• Identify the year of publication
• Identify page number when it is a direct quote
• Separate entries in the citation with commas
• Punctuation comes after citation
• APA uses the Author-Date method of citation
EXAMPLES:
One critic of Milgram’s experiments said that the subjects “should have been
fully informed of the possible effects on them” (Baumrind, 1968, p. 34).
Baumrind (1968) said that the subjects of Milgram’s study “should have been
fully informed of the possible effects on them” (p. 34).
Bibliographic References
• Two kinds of bibliographies:
• “Working Bibliography”
• This is a list of all sources you have read or consulted
as you prepared your paper. You may not have quoted
(directly or indirectly) all of these sources. Some
sources may have been used to provide you
background for your subject.
• “References”
• This is the list of sources you have cited and actually
used in writing your paper. In APA format, it is titled
“References” and found at the end of your paper.
Taking Notes
• Various methods for taking notes:
• Handwritten notes: be careful to specifically cite source and
direct quotes, can be source of plagiarism
• Notes on computers: same risk of plagiarism, strive for accuracy
• Photocopies and printouts: accurate means of recording source
and content
• Downloads: make sure you record source information
Kinds of Notes
• Summaries
• Condensing significant facts from an original piece of writing
• Retain essential facts of the original article
• Paraphrasing
• Restating a passage in approximately the same number of words,
using the same syntax and vocabulary
• Most common form of note taking in research papers
• Shows mastery of material presented by author
• Provides consistent style within your paper
• Quotation
• Reproduction of an author’s words exactly as they were spoken or
written, preserving even peculiarities of spelling, grammar, and
punctuation
• Personal Comments
• Ideas, conjectures or conclusions that occur to you during the
research
Integrating Sources
• Evidence of others’ information and opinions should back up, not
dominate, your own ideas
• Introduce the borrowed material so that it is not distracting to the
reader:
• Mesh the structure of the quote with your own sentence
• Substitute or add to the quotation identifying changes in brackets [ ] :
• Add words for greater explanation
• Change verb form to agree with sentence structure
• Change capitalization
• Replace pronouns with nouns
• Remove portions of quotation and identify with ellipsis (…)
• Provide interpretation for the reader
• Use signal phrases to identify author and their attitude or approach
• Provide background information to give recognition or credentials of author
Keeping a Working Bibliography
• Track the sources you find, independent of whether you
will ultimately use them
• Record the source information based on the format you
will use (APA, MLA, etc)
• Keep bibliographic information about online sources:
• URL
• Title of the site or page you are consulting
• Publication information available (author, organization, address,
publication date or date of last revision)

Más contenido relacionado

La actualidad más candente

La actualidad más candente (20)

Note-Taking Techniques
Note-Taking TechniquesNote-Taking Techniques
Note-Taking Techniques
 
How to write a great research paper
How to write a great research paperHow to write a great research paper
How to write a great research paper
 
MLA Style
MLA StyleMLA Style
MLA Style
 
Academic Writing
Academic WritingAcademic Writing
Academic Writing
 
Guidelines for citations and bibliographies
Guidelines for citations and bibliographiesGuidelines for citations and bibliographies
Guidelines for citations and bibliographies
 
Writing A Summary
Writing A SummaryWriting A Summary
Writing A Summary
 
Paraphrasing
ParaphrasingParaphrasing
Paraphrasing
 
Apa powerpoint
Apa powerpointApa powerpoint
Apa powerpoint
 
Academic writing
Academic writingAcademic writing
Academic writing
 
Academic writing
Academic writingAcademic writing
Academic writing
 
Scientific paper writing ppt shalini phd
Scientific paper writing ppt shalini phdScientific paper writing ppt shalini phd
Scientific paper writing ppt shalini phd
 
Paraphrasing skills
Paraphrasing skillsParaphrasing skills
Paraphrasing skills
 
Summary
SummarySummary
Summary
 
Research article structure
Research article structureResearch article structure
Research article structure
 
Citation
CitationCitation
Citation
 
Format of The Research Paper
Format of The Research PaperFormat of The Research Paper
Format of The Research Paper
 
Citation_Referencing
Citation_ReferencingCitation_Referencing
Citation_Referencing
 
HOW TO WRITE AN ABSTRACT
HOW TO WRITE AN ABSTRACTHOW TO WRITE AN ABSTRACT
HOW TO WRITE AN ABSTRACT
 
Quoting, Paraphrasing, And Summarizing
Quoting, Paraphrasing, And SummarizingQuoting, Paraphrasing, And Summarizing
Quoting, Paraphrasing, And Summarizing
 
Writing A Research Proposal
Writing A Research ProposalWriting A Research Proposal
Writing A Research Proposal
 

Similar a Writing Skills - Mechanics

Writing The Research Paper A Handbook (7th ed) - Ch 9 mla system
Writing The Research Paper A Handbook (7th ed) - Ch 9 mla systemWriting The Research Paper A Handbook (7th ed) - Ch 9 mla system
Writing The Research Paper A Handbook (7th ed) - Ch 9 mla systemtedster777
 
Writing The Research Paper A Handbook (7th ed) - Ch 7 transforming the notes ...
Writing The Research Paper A Handbook (7th ed) - Ch 7 transforming the notes ...Writing The Research Paper A Handbook (7th ed) - Ch 7 transforming the notes ...
Writing The Research Paper A Handbook (7th ed) - Ch 7 transforming the notes ...tedster777
 
Lcrt 5810 APA workshop
Lcrt 5810 APA workshopLcrt 5810 APA workshop
Lcrt 5810 APA workshopSVTaylor123
 
bibliography and references
bibliography and references bibliography and references
bibliography and references DhruviPatel314455
 
Taylor lcrt apa workshop
Taylor lcrt apa workshopTaylor lcrt apa workshop
Taylor lcrt apa workshopSVTaylor123
 
Referencin and citation
Referencin and citationReferencin and citation
Referencin and citationAqsa Mahmood
 
APA formatting from the Owl at Purdue.pdf
APA formatting from the Owl at Purdue.pdfAPA formatting from the Owl at Purdue.pdf
APA formatting from the Owl at Purdue.pdfCedCabaraban
 
APA Formatting and Style Guide.ppt
APA Formatting and Style Guide.pptAPA Formatting and Style Guide.ppt
APA Formatting and Style Guide.pptDrSahilKoul
 
APA Formatting and Style Guide
APA Formatting and Style GuideAPA Formatting and Style Guide
APA Formatting and Style GuideZakhar Berkovich
 
ENG 1060 Week1 APA Formatting
ENG 1060 Week1 APA FormattingENG 1060 Week1 APA Formatting
ENG 1060 Week1 APA Formattingstanbridge
 
APA formatting and Style Guide
APA formatting and Style GuideAPA formatting and Style Guide
APA formatting and Style Guidewalibrarian2012
 
Apa formatting
Apa formattingApa formatting
Apa formattingangordon
 
Lcrt 5020 lcrt apa workshop (cu wr center) spr 2015
Lcrt 5020 lcrt apa workshop (cu wr center) spr 2015 Lcrt 5020 lcrt apa workshop (cu wr center) spr 2015
Lcrt 5020 lcrt apa workshop (cu wr center) spr 2015 SVTaylor123
 

Similar a Writing Skills - Mechanics (20)

Research formats
Research formatsResearch formats
Research formats
 
Writing The Research Paper A Handbook (7th ed) - Ch 9 mla system
Writing The Research Paper A Handbook (7th ed) - Ch 9 mla systemWriting The Research Paper A Handbook (7th ed) - Ch 9 mla system
Writing The Research Paper A Handbook (7th ed) - Ch 9 mla system
 
Writing The Research Paper A Handbook (7th ed) - Ch 7 transforming the notes ...
Writing The Research Paper A Handbook (7th ed) - Ch 7 transforming the notes ...Writing The Research Paper A Handbook (7th ed) - Ch 7 transforming the notes ...
Writing The Research Paper A Handbook (7th ed) - Ch 7 transforming the notes ...
 
Apa style final
Apa style finalApa style final
Apa style final
 
Peer review - MCS 389
Peer review - MCS 389Peer review - MCS 389
Peer review - MCS 389
 
Lcrt 5810 APA workshop
Lcrt 5810 APA workshopLcrt 5810 APA workshop
Lcrt 5810 APA workshop
 
bibliography and references
bibliography and references bibliography and references
bibliography and references
 
Taylor lcrt apa workshop
Taylor lcrt apa workshopTaylor lcrt apa workshop
Taylor lcrt apa workshop
 
Referencin and citation
Referencin and citationReferencin and citation
Referencin and citation
 
APA formatting from the Owl at Purdue.pdf
APA formatting from the Owl at Purdue.pdfAPA formatting from the Owl at Purdue.pdf
APA formatting from the Owl at Purdue.pdf
 
APA Formatting and Style Guide.ppt
APA Formatting and Style Guide.pptAPA Formatting and Style Guide.ppt
APA Formatting and Style Guide.ppt
 
APA Formatting and Style Guide
APA Formatting and Style GuideAPA Formatting and Style Guide
APA Formatting and Style Guide
 
20081208070939 560
20081208070939 56020081208070939 560
20081208070939 560
 
MLA 8
MLA 8MLA 8
MLA 8
 
Purdue OWL APA
Purdue OWL APAPurdue OWL APA
Purdue OWL APA
 
APA Formatting and Style Guide
APA Formatting and Style GuideAPA Formatting and Style Guide
APA Formatting and Style Guide
 
ENG 1060 Week1 APA Formatting
ENG 1060 Week1 APA FormattingENG 1060 Week1 APA Formatting
ENG 1060 Week1 APA Formatting
 
APA formatting and Style Guide
APA formatting and Style GuideAPA formatting and Style Guide
APA formatting and Style Guide
 
Apa formatting
Apa formattingApa formatting
Apa formatting
 
Lcrt 5020 lcrt apa workshop (cu wr center) spr 2015
Lcrt 5020 lcrt apa workshop (cu wr center) spr 2015 Lcrt 5020 lcrt apa workshop (cu wr center) spr 2015
Lcrt 5020 lcrt apa workshop (cu wr center) spr 2015
 

Último

Graduate Outcomes Presentation Slides - English
Graduate Outcomes Presentation Slides - EnglishGraduate Outcomes Presentation Slides - English
Graduate Outcomes Presentation Slides - Englishneillewis46
 
Jual Obat Aborsi Hongkong ( Asli No.1 ) 085657271886 Obat Penggugur Kandungan...
Jual Obat Aborsi Hongkong ( Asli No.1 ) 085657271886 Obat Penggugur Kandungan...Jual Obat Aborsi Hongkong ( Asli No.1 ) 085657271886 Obat Penggugur Kandungan...
Jual Obat Aborsi Hongkong ( Asli No.1 ) 085657271886 Obat Penggugur Kandungan...ZurliaSoop
 
How to setup Pycharm environment for Odoo 17.pptx
How to setup Pycharm environment for Odoo 17.pptxHow to setup Pycharm environment for Odoo 17.pptx
How to setup Pycharm environment for Odoo 17.pptxCeline George
 
Key note speaker Neum_Admir Softic_ENG.pdf
Key note speaker Neum_Admir Softic_ENG.pdfKey note speaker Neum_Admir Softic_ENG.pdf
Key note speaker Neum_Admir Softic_ENG.pdfAdmir Softic
 
Food safety_Challenges food safety laboratories_.pdf
Food safety_Challenges food safety laboratories_.pdfFood safety_Challenges food safety laboratories_.pdf
Food safety_Challenges food safety laboratories_.pdfSherif Taha
 
Unit-V; Pricing (Pharma Marketing Management).pptx
Unit-V; Pricing (Pharma Marketing Management).pptxUnit-V; Pricing (Pharma Marketing Management).pptx
Unit-V; Pricing (Pharma Marketing Management).pptxVishalSingh1417
 
Making communications land - Are they received and understood as intended? we...
Making communications land - Are they received and understood as intended? we...Making communications land - Are they received and understood as intended? we...
Making communications land - Are they received and understood as intended? we...Association for Project Management
 
ICT Role in 21st Century Education & its Challenges.pptx
ICT Role in 21st Century Education & its Challenges.pptxICT Role in 21st Century Education & its Challenges.pptx
ICT Role in 21st Century Education & its Challenges.pptxAreebaZafar22
 
Beyond_Borders_Understanding_Anime_and_Manga_Fandom_A_Comprehensive_Audience_...
Beyond_Borders_Understanding_Anime_and_Manga_Fandom_A_Comprehensive_Audience_...Beyond_Borders_Understanding_Anime_and_Manga_Fandom_A_Comprehensive_Audience_...
Beyond_Borders_Understanding_Anime_and_Manga_Fandom_A_Comprehensive_Audience_...Pooja Bhuva
 
Jamworks pilot and AI at Jisc (20/03/2024)
Jamworks pilot and AI at Jisc (20/03/2024)Jamworks pilot and AI at Jisc (20/03/2024)
Jamworks pilot and AI at Jisc (20/03/2024)Jisc
 
The basics of sentences session 3pptx.pptx
The basics of sentences session 3pptx.pptxThe basics of sentences session 3pptx.pptx
The basics of sentences session 3pptx.pptxheathfieldcps1
 
Interdisciplinary_Insights_Data_Collection_Methods.pptx
Interdisciplinary_Insights_Data_Collection_Methods.pptxInterdisciplinary_Insights_Data_Collection_Methods.pptx
Interdisciplinary_Insights_Data_Collection_Methods.pptxPooja Bhuva
 
General Principles of Intellectual Property: Concepts of Intellectual Proper...
General Principles of Intellectual Property: Concepts of Intellectual  Proper...General Principles of Intellectual Property: Concepts of Intellectual  Proper...
General Principles of Intellectual Property: Concepts of Intellectual Proper...Poonam Aher Patil
 
Fostering Friendships - Enhancing Social Bonds in the Classroom
Fostering Friendships - Enhancing Social Bonds  in the ClassroomFostering Friendships - Enhancing Social Bonds  in the Classroom
Fostering Friendships - Enhancing Social Bonds in the ClassroomPooky Knightsmith
 
Python Notes for mca i year students osmania university.docx
Python Notes for mca i year students osmania university.docxPython Notes for mca i year students osmania university.docx
Python Notes for mca i year students osmania university.docxRamakrishna Reddy Bijjam
 
Accessible Digital Futures project (20/03/2024)
Accessible Digital Futures project (20/03/2024)Accessible Digital Futures project (20/03/2024)
Accessible Digital Futures project (20/03/2024)Jisc
 
2024-NATIONAL-LEARNING-CAMP-AND-OTHER.pptx
2024-NATIONAL-LEARNING-CAMP-AND-OTHER.pptx2024-NATIONAL-LEARNING-CAMP-AND-OTHER.pptx
2024-NATIONAL-LEARNING-CAMP-AND-OTHER.pptxMaritesTamaniVerdade
 
On National Teacher Day, meet the 2024-25 Kenan Fellows
On National Teacher Day, meet the 2024-25 Kenan FellowsOn National Teacher Day, meet the 2024-25 Kenan Fellows
On National Teacher Day, meet the 2024-25 Kenan FellowsMebane Rash
 
HMCS Vancouver Pre-Deployment Brief - May 2024 (Web Version).pptx
HMCS Vancouver Pre-Deployment Brief - May 2024 (Web Version).pptxHMCS Vancouver Pre-Deployment Brief - May 2024 (Web Version).pptx
HMCS Vancouver Pre-Deployment Brief - May 2024 (Web Version).pptxmarlenawright1
 

Último (20)

Graduate Outcomes Presentation Slides - English
Graduate Outcomes Presentation Slides - EnglishGraduate Outcomes Presentation Slides - English
Graduate Outcomes Presentation Slides - English
 
Jual Obat Aborsi Hongkong ( Asli No.1 ) 085657271886 Obat Penggugur Kandungan...
Jual Obat Aborsi Hongkong ( Asli No.1 ) 085657271886 Obat Penggugur Kandungan...Jual Obat Aborsi Hongkong ( Asli No.1 ) 085657271886 Obat Penggugur Kandungan...
Jual Obat Aborsi Hongkong ( Asli No.1 ) 085657271886 Obat Penggugur Kandungan...
 
How to setup Pycharm environment for Odoo 17.pptx
How to setup Pycharm environment for Odoo 17.pptxHow to setup Pycharm environment for Odoo 17.pptx
How to setup Pycharm environment for Odoo 17.pptx
 
Key note speaker Neum_Admir Softic_ENG.pdf
Key note speaker Neum_Admir Softic_ENG.pdfKey note speaker Neum_Admir Softic_ENG.pdf
Key note speaker Neum_Admir Softic_ENG.pdf
 
Food safety_Challenges food safety laboratories_.pdf
Food safety_Challenges food safety laboratories_.pdfFood safety_Challenges food safety laboratories_.pdf
Food safety_Challenges food safety laboratories_.pdf
 
Unit-V; Pricing (Pharma Marketing Management).pptx
Unit-V; Pricing (Pharma Marketing Management).pptxUnit-V; Pricing (Pharma Marketing Management).pptx
Unit-V; Pricing (Pharma Marketing Management).pptx
 
Making communications land - Are they received and understood as intended? we...
Making communications land - Are they received and understood as intended? we...Making communications land - Are they received and understood as intended? we...
Making communications land - Are they received and understood as intended? we...
 
ICT Role in 21st Century Education & its Challenges.pptx
ICT Role in 21st Century Education & its Challenges.pptxICT Role in 21st Century Education & its Challenges.pptx
ICT Role in 21st Century Education & its Challenges.pptx
 
Mehran University Newsletter Vol-X, Issue-I, 2024
Mehran University Newsletter Vol-X, Issue-I, 2024Mehran University Newsletter Vol-X, Issue-I, 2024
Mehran University Newsletter Vol-X, Issue-I, 2024
 
Beyond_Borders_Understanding_Anime_and_Manga_Fandom_A_Comprehensive_Audience_...
Beyond_Borders_Understanding_Anime_and_Manga_Fandom_A_Comprehensive_Audience_...Beyond_Borders_Understanding_Anime_and_Manga_Fandom_A_Comprehensive_Audience_...
Beyond_Borders_Understanding_Anime_and_Manga_Fandom_A_Comprehensive_Audience_...
 
Jamworks pilot and AI at Jisc (20/03/2024)
Jamworks pilot and AI at Jisc (20/03/2024)Jamworks pilot and AI at Jisc (20/03/2024)
Jamworks pilot and AI at Jisc (20/03/2024)
 
The basics of sentences session 3pptx.pptx
The basics of sentences session 3pptx.pptxThe basics of sentences session 3pptx.pptx
The basics of sentences session 3pptx.pptx
 
Interdisciplinary_Insights_Data_Collection_Methods.pptx
Interdisciplinary_Insights_Data_Collection_Methods.pptxInterdisciplinary_Insights_Data_Collection_Methods.pptx
Interdisciplinary_Insights_Data_Collection_Methods.pptx
 
General Principles of Intellectual Property: Concepts of Intellectual Proper...
General Principles of Intellectual Property: Concepts of Intellectual  Proper...General Principles of Intellectual Property: Concepts of Intellectual  Proper...
General Principles of Intellectual Property: Concepts of Intellectual Proper...
 
Fostering Friendships - Enhancing Social Bonds in the Classroom
Fostering Friendships - Enhancing Social Bonds  in the ClassroomFostering Friendships - Enhancing Social Bonds  in the Classroom
Fostering Friendships - Enhancing Social Bonds in the Classroom
 
Python Notes for mca i year students osmania university.docx
Python Notes for mca i year students osmania university.docxPython Notes for mca i year students osmania university.docx
Python Notes for mca i year students osmania university.docx
 
Accessible Digital Futures project (20/03/2024)
Accessible Digital Futures project (20/03/2024)Accessible Digital Futures project (20/03/2024)
Accessible Digital Futures project (20/03/2024)
 
2024-NATIONAL-LEARNING-CAMP-AND-OTHER.pptx
2024-NATIONAL-LEARNING-CAMP-AND-OTHER.pptx2024-NATIONAL-LEARNING-CAMP-AND-OTHER.pptx
2024-NATIONAL-LEARNING-CAMP-AND-OTHER.pptx
 
On National Teacher Day, meet the 2024-25 Kenan Fellows
On National Teacher Day, meet the 2024-25 Kenan FellowsOn National Teacher Day, meet the 2024-25 Kenan Fellows
On National Teacher Day, meet the 2024-25 Kenan Fellows
 
HMCS Vancouver Pre-Deployment Brief - May 2024 (Web Version).pptx
HMCS Vancouver Pre-Deployment Brief - May 2024 (Web Version).pptxHMCS Vancouver Pre-Deployment Brief - May 2024 (Web Version).pptx
HMCS Vancouver Pre-Deployment Brief - May 2024 (Web Version).pptx
 

Writing Skills - Mechanics

  • 2. Writing Mechanics • Numbers and dates • Dates and page numbers are not spelled out • Numbers from one to nine spelled out, and numerals for numbers above 10 (APA) • Use a numeral only if the number cannot be spelled out in two words or less • Spell out any number that is the beginning of a sentence • Percentages • Use numbers in percentages and amounts of money (APA) • Ranges of numbers • Use numerals to express both the first and last number of the range (APA) • Dates • Consistency is the prime rule – use either “day month year” or “month day year” but not both • No comma between the month and year • Ranges of one year can be expressed as 1929-30 or 1929 to 1930, but ranges beyond one year must be written as 1930 to 1951
  • 3. Writing Mechanics • Titles (in text of document) • Titles for the following are italicized in APA format • Published books • Plays • Long Poems • Pamphlets • Newspaper mastheads • Magazines and jornals • Classical works • Films • Television and radio programs • Ballets • Operas • Instrumental music listed by name • Paintings • Sculptures • Ships • Aircraft
  • 4. Writing Mechanics • Titles (continued) • Titles for the following are placed in quotation marks in APA format • Short stories • Short poems • Songs • Newspaper articles • Magazine and journal articles • Encyclopedia articles • Subdivisions in books • Unpublished dissertations • Lectures • Television episodes • Titles of sacred writings, series, editions, societies, conventional titles and parts of books are not italicized nor are they enclosed in quotation marks
  • 5. Writing Mechanics • Titles (continued) • If a title enclosed by quotation marks appears within an italicized title, the quotation marks are retained • If an italicized title appears within a title enclosed in quotation marks, the italic is retained • Single quotation marks are used with a title requiring quotation marks that appears within another title requiring quotation marks • A title that would normally be italicized that appears within another title that is italicized is not italicized • If you refer to a title frequently in your paper, use the full title in the first reference and then use a shortened title in subsequent references using key words within the title
  • 6. Writing Mechanics • Underlining and Italics • Italicize phrases, words, letters or numerals cited as linguistic examples • Italicize foreign words in English texts • Use underlining sparingly for emphasis • A series of words are underlined continuously rather than separately • Names of people • Omit formal titles when referring to people, living or dead, by their last names • It is acceptable to use simplified names for famous people • It is acceptable to use an author’s pseudonym rather than the author’s real name • The particles in foreign names (van, von, der, de) usually are not included in references to people • When in doubt, consult a biographical dictionary or encyclopedia for names of famous people
  • 7. Writing Mechanics • Hyphenating words • Word processors handle end-of-line hyphenation automatically • Compound words sometimes require hyphens but may not depending on use • Correct syllabification of words can be found in a dictionary • Never hyphenate a one-syllable word • Do not end or begin a line with a single letter • Make no division that might cause confusion in either the meaning or pronunciation of a word • Divide hyphenated words only at the hyphen • Do not divide proper names • Do not end several consecutive lines with a hyphen
  • 8. Writing Mechanics • Spaces and punctuation marks • Use just one space after all end punctuation marks • Punctuate initials of a personal name with a period followed by a single space • Use two hyphens to indicate a dash, with no extra space before or after the hyphens • Within common abbreviations punctuated by periods, do not use a space after the first period • Use a space before and after the slash that separates lines of a quoted poem • A hyphen used as a minus sign is preceded and followed by a single space • A hyphen used to indicate a negative number is preceded by a single space but not followed by one • Use a single space after all other punctuation marks
  • 9. Writing Mechanics • Commonly used abbreviations in research papers • anon. anonymous • app. appendix • bibliog. bibliography, bibliographer, bibliographical • biog. biography, biographer, biographical • bk., bks. book(s) • ©copyright (© 1997) • c., ca. circa • ed., eds. edited by, editor(s), edition(s) • e.g. exempli gratia, example given, for example – use within parentheses • et. al. et alii, and others • fig., figs. figure(s) • ibid. ibidem, in the same place – avoid – use author’s last name and page • i.e. id est, that is • p., pp. page(s)
  • 10. What is Documentation? • Documentation is the method you choose to give credit to the source of any borrowed idea, fact, clever remark, or original observation that you use in your paper • General knowledge, common sayings, and self-evident opinions do not need to be documented • If you are not sure whether to document, do so • Document sources twice: • In the body of the paper • In the reference list
  • 11. Citations • Parenthetical citations: • Identify sources within parentheses at the end of the passage • Relate passage with a specific source in the bibliography • Identify the name of the author if it is not part of the passage • Identify the year of publication • Identify page number when it is a direct quote • Separate entries in the citation with commas • Punctuation comes after citation • APA uses the Author-Date method of citation EXAMPLES: One critic of Milgram’s experiments said that the subjects “should have been fully informed of the possible effects on them” (Baumrind, 1968, p. 34). Baumrind (1968) said that the subjects of Milgram’s study “should have been fully informed of the possible effects on them” (p. 34).
  • 12. Bibliographic References • Two kinds of bibliographies: • “Working Bibliography” • This is a list of all sources you have read or consulted as you prepared your paper. You may not have quoted (directly or indirectly) all of these sources. Some sources may have been used to provide you background for your subject. • “References” • This is the list of sources you have cited and actually used in writing your paper. In APA format, it is titled “References” and found at the end of your paper.
  • 13. Taking Notes • Various methods for taking notes: • Handwritten notes: be careful to specifically cite source and direct quotes, can be source of plagiarism • Notes on computers: same risk of plagiarism, strive for accuracy • Photocopies and printouts: accurate means of recording source and content • Downloads: make sure you record source information
  • 14. Kinds of Notes • Summaries • Condensing significant facts from an original piece of writing • Retain essential facts of the original article • Paraphrasing • Restating a passage in approximately the same number of words, using the same syntax and vocabulary • Most common form of note taking in research papers • Shows mastery of material presented by author • Provides consistent style within your paper • Quotation • Reproduction of an author’s words exactly as they were spoken or written, preserving even peculiarities of spelling, grammar, and punctuation • Personal Comments • Ideas, conjectures or conclusions that occur to you during the research
  • 15. Integrating Sources • Evidence of others’ information and opinions should back up, not dominate, your own ideas • Introduce the borrowed material so that it is not distracting to the reader: • Mesh the structure of the quote with your own sentence • Substitute or add to the quotation identifying changes in brackets [ ] : • Add words for greater explanation • Change verb form to agree with sentence structure • Change capitalization • Replace pronouns with nouns • Remove portions of quotation and identify with ellipsis (…) • Provide interpretation for the reader • Use signal phrases to identify author and their attitude or approach • Provide background information to give recognition or credentials of author
  • 16. Keeping a Working Bibliography • Track the sources you find, independent of whether you will ultimately use them • Record the source information based on the format you will use (APA, MLA, etc) • Keep bibliographic information about online sources: • URL • Title of the site or page you are consulting • Publication information available (author, organization, address, publication date or date of last revision)