Lecture 2 Scholarly Writing
What are the general formatting rules?
• 1" margins • .5" header • 2 spaces after punctuation, which ends a sentence • Spell and grammar check turned on • Double space entire document except tables • Times New Roman 12-point font
What are the rules for clear communication: voice?
Active voice - strongly encouraged, don't use passive voice
What are the rules for clear communication: non-biased language?
Be specific Use alternatives to "he" Don't label people according to their disability or over-extend its severity Use emotionally neutral expressions Use terms preferred by the group being described when referring to sexual orientation, race, ethnic identity
What is common knowledge? What is plagiarism? What is the SON policy on plagiarism? How does a student decide what information should be cited?
Common knowledge is any information that the average, educated reader would accept as reliable without having to look it up. Plagiarism is the representation of another's work, words or ideas as one's own; it includes the unacknowledged word for word use and/or paraphrasing of another person's work, and/or the inappropriate, unacknowledged use of another person's ideas. Ask yourself - is this something I knew before I started the research and if the general public would know this. When in doubt, cite the source. The SON policy says that faculty reserves the right to request an electronic copy of course work, and that coursework is subject to evaluation for cheating or plagiarism.
What are the rules for the use and formatting of abbreviations in the text of the paper?
Consider whether the space saved by the abbreviation justifies the time necessary to master the meaning. - Usually not if used fewer than 3 times after first introduction of the term Abbreviations accepted as words (not labeled as abbr in Webster) do not require explanation. Latin abbreviations - Only in parenthetical material otherwise write out
How should a student begin writing a paper?
Directions/grading criteria in the syllabus Get an overview Evaluate your references Present professionally (format) If you have questions, ask the faculty grading your paper
What are the rules for formatting quotations in the text of a paper (quotations less than 40 words; 40 words or more)? • Including: one author, two authors; 3-5 authors; 6 or more authors; personal communication; secondary sources? What are the rules for formatting citations in the text of the paper? • Including one author, two authors; 3-5 authors; 6 or more authors; personal communication; secondary sources? What are the rules regarding congruence of citations in text and reference list? • Cite as close to the outside material as possible o In text o Author/short title, date, page number/paragraph Know the correct formatting for the following types of references (in text and reference page) • Authored book • Authored chapter in an edited book • Authored journal article
Find these answers in the APA manual
What are the rules for creating a running head?
Make a shorter title of your paper using up to 50 characters (characters count as letters, punctuation marks, or spaces) Write "Running Head:" and then type your running head in all capital letters. - "Running Head" appears only on the first page Align it Left at the top of the page Usually the first 2-3 words of your full title so choose your title so that it translates well to a running head that makes sense. PERRLA automatically uses the first 50 characters for the running head.
How should a student evaluate resources? Why is this important?
Make sure that the reference is credible. Find out the author and his or her credentials, previous works, and affiliation. Where was your reference published, peer reviewed. Check and see if some other expert in the field has read and reviewed it. Is it a primary or secondary resource? Primary is the original author. Secondary is version of what the author wrote. Is your reference fact or opinion? It depends on paper you are writing. How current is the reference? In your syllabus, you will find the restrictions in how old the paper can be.
What are the rules for creating a byline?
On the line after the title, write your full name and center it.
What are the rules for creating an affiliation?
On the next line (after your name) write your "affiliation" - the college that you go to.
What is PERRLA? What will PERRLA do for a student and what will it not do?
PERRLA is an APA formatting program that will format your word document according to APA standards. Tips will give you instructions on what words to capitalize on the reference list PERRLA cannot read, so it will not detect plagiarism.
What are the rules for formatting the reference page?
Page number (xx) in the header flushed to the right. Running head in the header flushed to the left. The word References centered First line of each reference is flush left with subsequent lines indents .5" (hanging indent)
What are the rules for formatting the first page of the text?
Page number in the header (2) flushed right. Running head in the header flushed left (without the words "running head.") Title, centered, uppercase and lower case Text of paper
What are the rules for formatting the title page?
Page number in the header flushed right. Running head in the header flushed left (with the words "running head.") Title Byline Affiliation Optional (as required by course) - date, course number, faculty name, and faculty credentials
Why does the SON use APA format?
Provides standard and conformity The format is prescriptive/descriptive Discipline needed for publishing in many professional journals
Why is scholarly writing important for nursing students?
Scholarly writing is an expectation of *baccalaureate graduates.* An expectation of *nursing journals* that keeps the nursing community current. Also, it is a requirement for *graduate education.*
What are the rules for creating a good title?
Summarizes the main idea of the paper Fully explanatory when standing alone Easily shortened to the running head Avoid abbreviations No more than 12 words Centered on the middle of the page Upper and lower case
What resource does a student have when writing a paper?
The Basics of APA Style - Tutorial APA Style Guide to Electronic References - available free of charge from the LSUHSC Library APA formatting program - PERRLA - http://www.perrla.com Not endorsed by APA APA Manual
Internet Sources
There should be an author (person or organization) If the person is a person - see previous information If the author is an organization - who are they Do they monitor the website .gov (fairly objective government sponsored) .org (non-profit advocacy group- posting conform to their goals) .com (promoting schools or selling) .edu (schools) Is there documentation to indicate the original source of the material?
What is Turnitin and how should it be used?
Turnitin is a website where submitted papers are compared against billions of other internet sources and archived internet data that may not be available on the live web anymore, local repository of previously submitted papers. Turnitin provides an originality check report - Indices do not reflect turnitin's assessment - Report provides instructors with a tool to locate matching/ similar text - plagiarism is determined by the teacher - Determination/ adjudication of plagiarism are left solely to the instructors/institution - Questions regarding the definition of plagiarism used at your institution should be directed toward the instructor of the course
What are the rules for clear communication: person?
Use 1st person when talking about self/co-authors Do not use the royal "we" Use 3rd person for everything else NEVER use 2nd person
What are the rules for clear communication: precision and clarity?
Use good language/grammar Avoid colloquial expressions/slang/jargon Avoid metaphors and analogies Use simple, descriptive adjectives and plain language
What are the general rules for formatting numbers in the text of the paper (10 and above; less than 10)?
Use numerals to express numbers 10 and above Use words to express numbers below 10
