SWL+Essay+Style+Guide

Sir Wilfrid Laurier toc

Essay Style Guide

=** Materials **=

** Paper: **
· All essays and reports are to be submitted on standard size 8.5" x 11", good quality, white paper.

** Typing: **
· Use black ink and use only one colour. · Subject to standard rules of capitalization, all text, whether typed or written, will be of the same size and font. · Illustrations and text should be presented on one side of the page only. · Fasten securely and neatly using staples or fastening type cover.

=** Format and Appearance **=

** Spacing and Margins: **
· Margins should be 2.5 cm (1 inch) on each of the four sides of the sheet. · On the first page, a 5 cm margin is left at the top. This is also true for special pages such as Works Cited. · The text should always be double spaced, except for block quotations, notes, and long headings, which should be single-spaced, with a space left between items.

** Paragraph Format: **
· Indent 5 spaces and begin at the 6th stroke. · If block paragraphing is used, 4 lines must be left between each paragraph to clearly indicate a new paragraph.

** Pagination: **
· Pagination or numbering of the pages will begin on the first page of the text starting with number 1. · The page number is to be placed in the top right hand margin. To prevent loss of your work, it is suggested that you create a header. Example: Morton 3 · No period, brackets, circles, or other marks are required with the page number.

=** Title Page **=

· Follow the format suggested by the example provided (Appendix A). · The date appearing on the page is the date the assignment is **__due.__**

=** Titles in the Text **=

· Titles of books, recordings, magazines, CD-ROM's, Internet sites, long poems, full length plays, videos, and pamphlets must always be underlined or typed in italic font. · Always place the following titles in quotation marks: essays, internet articles, magazine articles, encyclopedia articles, shorter poems, one act plays, television/radio programs, and short stories.

=** Documentation **=


 * Incorporating Quotations: **

It is very important to include relevant quotations in your formal essays and reports. They give your work credibility and by including the opinions of experts, you are able to validate your writing.

=** Direct Quotations **=

When selecting quotes for your paper, keep the following in mind:

· Only select quotations which are relevant and keep them as brief as possible without sacrificing meaning. · Always make sure that quotations are integrated at appropriate and relevant times in your writing · Quote the author's words as written unless you wish to omit an irrelevant section. In this case you may use three dots ... to indicate an omission in mid-sentence or four dots to indicate an omission at the end of a sentence.

The old childhood ideal of goofing off - what the grimmer parenting books term 'nonstructured play' - isn't an option....The benefits (organized sports) can be measured on the child's report card. We know from a lot of research that kids who participate in sports tend to do better academically....It forces them to be more organized with their time and to prioritize a lot better. (Hatfield, 32)
 * Example: **

** Long Quotes (If the quotation is over 4 typed lines - see above) **
· Introduce the quotation with a colon. · Begin a new line (double space). · Indent 10 spaces from the left and right margin. · Single Space. · Do NOT use quotation marks. · Use parenthetical notation inserted 2 spaces after the final words of the quotation to indicate your source.


 * Parenthetical Notation ** - In brackets, include the author's last name, and page number. Example: (Stewart, 87)

** Short Quotes (less than 4 typed lines) **
· Use quotation marks. · Do not indent the quotation. · Integrate the quotation into the grammar of the sentence.

As Ruggles Pritchard comments, "Sir Wilfrid Laurier is a wonderful learning institution and SWL students are strong students, competitive athletes, and generous individuals." (p.27)
 * Example: **

** Punctuation with Quotation Marks **
· Periods and commas should be placed inside quotation marks even when they only enclose one letter or a number. · Question marks, exclamation marks, or closing dashes precede the quotation marks if they are part of the quoted matter. · Question marks and exclamation marks follow the quotation marks if they pertain the entire sentence of which the quotation is a part.

=** Works Cited **=

Refer to the following page for examples of various types of sources you might need to include on your "Works Cited" page.

Only sources from which you have quoted or paraphrased may be included on this page. It must appear on a separate sheet of paper at the end of your report or essay. It will be organized alphabetically, using the last name of each author.

=** Parenthetical Notation **=

Include parenthetical notation in the text of your report to document your sources and to give credibility to your work.

· For example (Morton, 72) = (authors last name, page). All information or major ideas (whether quoted or paraphrased) taken from a source must have parenthetical notation following it. · If a paragraph contains three sentences and each sentence comes from the same source, you may reference the material once (either after the first sentence in the paragraph or at the end of the paragraph - be consistent with the style that you choose). · You may also start your paragraph off with a reference to the author. For example, In a 1996 study by the Law Reform Commission, Robertson (1996) stated that … · Keep your quotations as brief as possible without sacrificing the meaning and be sure they are relevant. · Always make sure that the quotations are integrated into the grammar of the sentence in which they appear. · Quote the author’s words exactly as written unless you wish to omit an irrelevant section.

· For works having **two authors** use the last names of each author. · For works having **three or more authors** use the last name of the first author followed by "et al". · Works which do not name the author(s) and which are published by a **corporation, government agency, or an association** are cited by using the name of the group (Canadian Heart and Stroke Association 5). · If the work, usually unauthored, is listed by the title in the "Works Cited" list, give the title or a shortened version (CMA 10.) · When citing **poetic drama or plays,** designations other than the page must be used; for example, canto, stanza, book, act, scene, or line. Use periods to separate the numbers in the citation. · **Example: (Romeo and Juliet 3.2.202-204)** - this indicates that the passage appears in Act 3, scene 2, lines 202-204. **Electronic sources (Internet, CD ROM)** do not always provide page numbers. In such cases, give author and date.
 * Special quotes **

=** PLAGIARISM: BEWARE OF THE IMPLICATIONS!! **=


 * Plagiarism is the theft of another author's words or ideas. If you have failed to document all sources of your direct quotation, paraphrases, or ideas used in your work which are taken from the work of other authors and are not general knowledge, you have stolen intellectual property and AND YOUR ASSIGNMENT WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. **

We live in an age where access to information has been revolutionized and it is easy to become overwhelmed with the volume of material we can acquire. With this in mind, please be extremely cautious as you select and work with the research you have in front of you.
 * Please note: **

It is **your full responsibility** to be able to provide your teacher with **all** of your process work (including all web site addresses, printed material, and rough work) should it be required of you. This request may come at any stage even as your teacher is completing your final evaluation. Please print out your report periodically as you work and before you edit each stage. **This will be your only ammunition if your teacher asks you to submit your process work.**

=** Writing Your Essay **=

Developing Thesis Statements // "A thesis statement is a specific declaration that summarizes the point of view you will express in your paper. It is the basic stand you take, the opinion you express, and the point you make about your narrowed subject." (HCCS Libraries) //


 * When developing a thesis statement you should keep the following in mind: **

· your thesis is your controlling idea, tying together and giving direction to all other elements in your paper · your primary purpose is to persuade the reader that your thesis is a valid one · the thesis statement is your answer to the central question or problem you have raised


 * Once you have completed some preliminary research on your topic and have designed a loose outline, you should be able to formulate your thesis: a single sentence that indicates your topic and a point of view. **

· What purpose will you try to achieve in the paper? Do you want to describe something, explain something, argue for a certain point of view or persuade the reader to think or do something
 * Poor: ** There are many advantages to having professional sports teams in Ottawa
 * Better: ** Having professional sports teams in Ottawa has political, social, and economic advantages.

** Essay writing steps: **
1. Brainstorm your topic and narrow down your focus. 2. Research your topic under broad headings. 3. Always evaluate your sources **(see Appendix B).** 4. Create your thesis. 5. Create an outline which correlates with some of your preliminary research. 6. Complete in depth research on each heading and take notes from your research. 7. Be sure to indicate on your notes all necessary bibliographic information and page numbers of quotes and paraphrasing. 8. All rough notes and resources must be available if the teacher should ask for them. 9. Rearrange and edit your outline according to your research material and your thesis 10. Begin writing your essay (always keep in mind your thesis and include only relevant information and writing. 11. Be sure to use correct parenthetical notation and documentation style. 12. Have your essay proofread and edited for errors. Be sure that you have superbly proven thesis. 13. Create your "Works Cited" page according to MLA standards **(see Appendix C for**
 * sample of every type of source). **

=** Appendices **=


 * A. Title page **


 * B. Evaluating your Sources: Internet and Print **


 * C. Documentation Guide for Works Cited **

Appendix A

** DATA ANALYSIS **
 * SCHIZOPHRENIA TREATMENT IN **** CANADA **

Mary Lamb MDM 4U Mr. Fazakas December 12, 2009

Appendix B

// Information has been summarized from this website: // // [] // **//Sir Wilfrid Laurier//** **// Evaluating your sources //**

// "Not all sources are equally reliable or of equal quality. In reading and evaluating potential sources, you should not assume that something is truthful or trustworthy just because it appears in print or on the Internet. Some material may be based on incorrect or undated information or on poor logic, and author's knowledge of the subject may be too limited or biased." (MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers) //

**// Evaluating a Printed Source //**

· author's name or name of group responsible for the publication should clearly be identified

· name of publisher should be identified and should be reputable (university presses) as they are willing to be accountable for what they distribute

· check the edition of your source. Further editions or printings indicate a source has been updated to reflect changes and that it is probably reliable.

· look for the author's credentials (professional title, educational background, a list of other accomplishments or publications, etc.)

· determine if the author is associated with an institution or organization and explore what the basic values goals of this institution or organization

· Does the information appear to be valid and well-researched (supported by evidence)?

· ** determine the potential for bias by looking at who is writing and publishing the work ** Who puts out the material? **Consider why the material is published and consider the motives** of the author and/or the publisher and **determine who is the target audience**. For instance, a newspaper published by Carleton University students will definitely reflect the concerns and attitudes of the student population and the times.

· ** scholarly journals and academic book publishers are usually reliable as sources ** because they are reviewed by experts before they are published and a list of "Works Cited" is usually included.

· the publication date of a print source suggests how current the article is (some material could be very outdated and therefore inaccurate)

**// Evaluating Web Pages //**

// "Assessing Internet resources is a particular challenge. Whereas the print publications that researchers depend on are generally issued by reputable publishers, like university presses, that accept accountability for the quality and reliability of the works they distribute....many online materials are self published without any outside review." (MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers) //

· Does the page list the author's credentials and is its domain preferred (.edu .gov, .org, .net)?

· Can you contact the author (e-mail address or phone number)?

· Is the information consistent and free of systematic errors? **If you see spelling and grammatical errors, you will know that the site is unreliable.**

· look for the author's credentials (professional title, educational background, a list of other accomplishments or publications)

· determine if the author is associated with an institution or organization and explore what the basic values goals of this institution or organization are

· Does the information appear to be valid and well-researched (supported by evidence)?

· How comprehensive is this site and is the quantitative data (statistic, surveys, measurements, etc.) accurate? This type of data should be referenced.

· determine the potential for bias by looking at who is writing, posting, and sponsoring the work

· Consider why the material is posted and consider the motives of the author and/or the publisher and determine who is the target audience. **- the Internet has become a prime marketing and advertising tool.** This site should have limited advertising. Determine if this page is a mask for advertising.

· Does the work have a copyright date?

· How detailed is the information and what opinions (if any) are expressed by the author?

· How current is the site and is it regularly updated?

· How current are the links (if any)? Are there any dead links?

· Is there a balance between text and images?

· Is the information presented cited correctly?

· Can you view the information without fees, sophisticated browser technology or software?

** Citing Sources at Sir Wil ** Atwood, Margaret. __Handmaiden's Tale.__ Toronto: McClelland, 1985.
 * One Author Book: **

Gilbert, Sandra M., and Susan Gubar. __The Norton Anthology of Literature by Women: The Tradition in__ __English__. New York: Norton, 1985.
 * More than One Author Book: **

Dzyubenko, Galina, ed. __Land of the Soviets in Verse and Prose.__ 2 vols. Moscow: Progress, 1982
 * An Anthology: **

Gorky, Maxim. “Yegor Bulychov and Others.” Trans. Margaret Wettlin. __Classic Soviet Plays__. Comp. Alla Mikhailova. Moscow: Progress, 1979. 27-95.
 * A Work in an Anthology: **

Pope, Alexander. __The Poems of Alexander Pope__. Ed. John Butt. New Haven: Yale UP, 1963.
 * An Edition (prepared for publication by someone other than the author) **

Armstrong, Larry, Dori Jones Yang, and Alice Cuneo. "The Learning Revolution: Technology Is Reshaping Education - -at Home and at School." __Business Week__ 28 Feb. 1994: 80-88.
 * Article in a Magazine: **

Ricard, Franois. "Roy Gabrielle." __The Canadian Encyclopedia__. 1993 ed.
 * Encyclopedia Article, Signed: **

"Atwood, Margaret." __World Book Encyclopedia__. 1992 ed.
 * Encyclopedia Article, Unsigned: **

Adachi, Ken. "Dorothy Liversay: A Rare Breed of Women." __ Toronto ____ Star __. 28 June 1995: A12.
 * Newspaper Article, Signed: **

"Against the Odds." __The Globe and Mail__ 20 June 1993: C5.
 * Newspaper Article, Unsigned: **

Nader, Ralph. Interview with Ray Suarez. __Talk of the Nation__. Natl. Public Radio. WBUR, Boston. 16 Apr.1998.
 * Interview: **

__ A Writer in this Nuclear Age: A Conversation with Margaret Laurence __. National Film Board of Canada, 1992.
 * Video: **

Angier, Natalie. "Feminist Writers of the Modern Age." Dissertation Abstracts Ondisc. CD-ROM. Oct. 1993.
 * CD- ROM: **

"Violence in the Media." Narr. Pritchard, Ruggles. __Ideas.__ Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Toronto. 12 Je. 1995.
 * Radio / Television: **

__ Renoir Lithograph. __ New York: Dover, 2002.
 * Pamphlet: **

Author's name. "Title of Work." __Name of the Periodical__ (underlined) Volume number, issue number, or other identifying number, Date of Publication. The number range or total number of pages, paragraphs, or other identifying numbers, full address (full URL), Date of access (in brackets)
 * On-line Periodical Article: **

Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Document" Title of Complete Work (if applicable) Version or File Number (if applicable) Document date or date of last revision. Protocol (e.g. ,"http") and address (full URL), access path directories (date of access.) [] (2 Aug. 2001)
 * Internet: **
 * Nancekevill, Susan. ** "A Hypertext History of Guidance Dimensions." MUD History. 2002.

Laggis, Sam. "Sound Bite News: Television Coverage of Elections, 1968-1998. " __Journal of Communication__ 42.2 (1992): 5-24.
 * An Article in a Scholarly Journal that Pages Each Issue Separately: **

Rama, Jason. "Gender Differences in Schools." __Sex Roles__ 37 (1997): 19-44. __Psychological Abstracts__ 24 (1998): item 4265.
 * An Abstract in an Abstracts Journal: **

See MLA Handbook for other versions of Journal citing. For more comprehensive citation rules, refer to English Department Guide.