September 18, 2003 Dr. David Hoffeditz Dr. Thomas Mach

How to Write Good.... Be more or less specific. Don’t be redundant; don’t use more words than necessary; it’s highly superfluous. Prepositions are not words to end sentences with. Even if a mixed metaphor sings, it should be derailed. Profanity sucks.

Laying Out the Text (chap. 14) Margins: –One (1) inch margins on all sides. –Left margin justification. Margins: –One (1) inch margins on all sides. –Left margin justification.

Laying Out the Text (chap. 14) Indentations and Spacing –Five or eight spaces for paragraphs and block quotes. Consistency is the key. –Double-spaced except for block quotes. Indentations and Spacing –Five or eight spaces for paragraphs and block quotes. Consistency is the key. –Double-spaced except for block quotes.

Laying Out the Text Pagination –No page numbers on title pages. –Page numbers right justified, top of page. Last name optional (e.g., Mach 3). –Arabic numerals. Pagination –No page numbers on title pages. –Page numbers right justified, top of page. Last name optional (e.g., Mach 3). –Arabic numerals.

Capitalization, Italics, Quotation Marks, and Numbers (chaps. 3-4) Capitalization –Proper nouns. –Titles of works. –Complete title in bibliography and notes. –Sacred Scriptures. –Consistency is the key. Capitalization –P–Proper nouns. –T–Titles of works. –C–Complete title in bibliography and notes. –S–Sacred Scriptures. –C–Consistency is the key.

Capitalization, Italics, Quotation Marks, and Numbers Italics and Quotation Marks –Italics for titles of book, periodicals, pamphlets. –Quotation marks for articles, chapter titles, dissertation titles, and other unpublished works.

Capitalization, Italics, Quotation Marks, and Numbers Numbers –Sentences should not begin with numerals. Spell number out. –Spell out all numbers through one hundred, and any whole numbers followed by hundred, thousand, etc. –For all other numbers, including scriptural references, numerals are used.

General Rules: Preferences Typed, double-spaced with a staple. No folders, binders, etc. Third person, past tense. In other words, formal writing. Times New Roman font no larger than size twelve. One inch margins on all sides. No contractions. No colloquialisms. Avoid passive voice. Vary word choice. Spelling.

Citations (Chap. 8 and 11)  Footnotes or Endnotes are acceptable.  Use Arabic numerals in superscript at end of sentence.  Indent first line of footnote with subsequent lines to margin and end each footnote with a period.  Text and footnotes separated by separator or continuation separator.  Footnotes or Endnotes are acceptable.  Use Arabic numerals in superscript at end of sentence.  Indent first line of footnote with subsequent lines to margin and end each footnote with a period.  Text and footnotes separated by separator or continuation separator.

Citations (Chap. 8 and 11)  Use only the “N” (Note) citation format from Chapter 11.  Short form: (sect ) Author’s last name, abbreviated title, page number. Be consistent.  Use of Ibid. is fine for consecutive citations. Be sure to indicate pagination when it differs.  Use only the “N” (Note) citation format from Chapter 11.  Short form: (sect ) Author’s last name, abbreviated title, page number. Be consistent.  Use of Ibid. is fine for consecutive citations. Be sure to indicate pagination when it differs.

Bibliography (Chap. 9 and 11) Use only the “B” (Bibliography) citation format from Chapter 11. First line to margin with hanging indent on subsequent lines. Multiple works by one author: –Eight space underline. Italics is preferred to underlining of titles. Separate primary and secondary sources. Further categorization can be done by monographs, periodicals, manuscripts, newspapers, government documents, etc. Use only the “B” (Bibliography) citation format from Chapter 11. First line to margin with hanging indent on subsequent lines. Multiple works by one author: –Eight space underline. Italics is preferred to underlining of titles. Separate primary and secondary sources. Further categorization can be done by monographs, periodicals, manuscripts, newspapers, government documents, etc.

Bibliography (Chap. 9 and 11) Online source: –“The Formation of Latin Christendom: The Roman Church.” In EuroDocs: Primary Historical Documents from Western Europe [database online]. Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University, [cited 10 April 2003]. Available from –Author. “Title.” Collection. Location. Website.

How to Write Good.... The passive voice is to be avoided. Be more or less specific. Understatement is always best. Exaggeration is a billion times worse than understatement. Go around the barn at high noon to avoid colloquialisms.