APA Overview + Tips for Writing Formatting Your Paper in APA Citing Sources – References and In-text Writing Your Paper – Introduction, Thesis Statement, Topic Sentences

APA Overview + Tips for Writing Workshop Outline Discuss tips for writing an effective introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. Provide strategies for effectively integrating sources into your writing. Review how to cite sources in APA – references and in-text citations. Discuss how to format your paper in APA.

Writing an Effective Introduction Function of introduction: to prepare your reader for (introduce your reader to) what you will discuss in your paper An introduction should include: The main idea or general issue of your paper (1-2) What is the subject of this paper? Relevant context (2-3) What background information does the reader need to know in order to understand the main idea of the paper? A clear thesis (1-2) What are you claiming/arguing/asserting?

Begin with a general statement about the subject. Provide relevant contextual information. Clarify and narrow the subject. THESIS: a focused statement that clearly states your argument or claim in this paper. Finish with a focused thesis statement.

What is a thesis statement? A sentence (or two) that states the central idea or argument of your paper. Generally found at the end of your introductory paragraph. Basic functions: Narrows the topic to a focused idea you want readers to gain from your paper. Identifies your topic and makes a specific claim. Conveys your purpose clearly. Provides a concise preview of your paper’s organization. Based on my study habits up to this point in the semester, I will implement a study plan that uses _____, _______, and ______.

Citing Sources “Each reference cited in text must appear in the reference list, and each entry in the reference list must be cited in text” (APA, 2012, p. 174). APA uses an author-date system for citing sources Author (date) (Author, date). Author and date must appear together, whether at the beginning or end of a citation.

Two Ways to Integrate Source Material Direct Quotations and Paraphrased Material Direct quotations must include author, date, and p. # (Smith, 2009, p. 32). Smith (2009) “…” (p. 32). Paraphrased material must include author and date. (Smith, 2009). Smith (2009)… . Including page numbers when paraphrasing is a grey area in APA.

Citing and Integrating Sources Signal Phrasing A signal phrase is a word, phrase, or sentence that indicates to the reader that you will be including researched material. According to Burroughs (2009),… Burroughs (2009) stated that… Creating a signal phrase: Author’s Last Name (Year) Signal Verb Source Material This would be if you were pulling from lecture notes. Zoccolillo (2015) asserts … that testing yourself during studying is an effective way to study.

Citing and Integrating Sources Signal Verbs Acknowledges Advises Argues Asserts Believes Claims Demonstrates Evaluates Expresses Identifies Indicates Maintains Proposes Reaffirms Recognizes Recommends Reveals States Stipulates Suggests Theorizes Urges Depending on the type of information you are integrating, you will want to select a verb that is appropriate. Look up words you don’t know – read them aloud to make sure they sound right.

Citing and Integrating Sources Direct Quotation – Using a Signal Phrase Introduce the quotation with a signal phrase that includes the author’s last name, followed by the year of publication in parentheses. Put the page number (p. #) in parentheses after the close of the quotation. If more than one author, use and. Tierney and Pearson (2011) assert that both reading and writing “are acts of composing” (p. 175). (Hacker & Sommers, 2012)

Citing and Integrating Sources Direct Quotation – Without a Signal Phrase If the author is not named in the sentence (signal phrase), place the author’s name, the year, and the page number in parentheses after the close of the quotation. If there is more than one author, use &. Both reading and writing are “acts of composing” (Tierney & Pearson, 2011, p. 175). (Hacker & Sommers, 2012)

Citing and Integrating Sources Summary or Paraphrase A page number is not required for a paraphrase or summary. You can include the author’s last name and the year either in a signal phrase introducing the material or in parentheses following it. Tierney and Pearson (2011) suggest that in reading and writing, the individual is required to consider their own background of experience, the author, and the reader in order to negotiate meaning. In reading and writing, the individual is required to consider their own background of experience, the author, and the reader in order to negotiate meaning (Tierney & Pearson, 2011).

Creating a Source Sandwich When using a source in your writing, connect it to an idea, introduce it using a signal phrase, and explain how it connects to this idea. We call this a source sandwich.  IDEA SOURCE MATERIAL EXPLANATION

The Source Sandwich IDEA SOURCE EXPLAIN The power of West’s artistic work comes from his ability to unite artistic creation with the cognitive and pragmatic capabilities of his audience. Tyrangiel (2005) makes the point, “In music, West’s juxtapositions make your head nod. In life, they can sometimes make it spin” (p. 35). West’s innovation has set him apart from other hip hop artists, as he has continued to push the boundaries throughout his career.

Citing Sources Citing Lecture Notes From the professor: Author, A. (date). Title of document [Format description]. Retrieved from http://URL Reeves, C. (2015). Rhetoric handout [Lecture notes]. Retrieved from http://bb9.tamucc.edu From your class notes (this approach would apply to notes you took during a lecture, or class handouts that are not posted elsewhere (e.g., the instructor’s website): Dr. Zoccolillo discussed neuron activation by comparing it to “flushing a toilet” (D. Dowell, personal communication, February, 2015). You do not include personal communications in the Reference list; you cite it as a personal communication in-text only.

Citing Sources – Multiple Authors Type of Citation First citation (in text) Subsequent citations (in text) Fist citation (parenthetical) Subsequent citations (parenthetical) Two authors Walker and Allen (2004) (Walker & Allen, 2004) Three to five authors Bradley, Ramirez, and Soo (1999) Bradley et al. (1999) (Bradley, Ramirez, & Soo, 1999) (Bradley et al., 1999) Six or more authors Wasserstein et al. (2005) Wasserstein et al., (2005) (Wasserstein et al., (2005) (Wasserstein et al., 2005) (APA, 2010)

Writing an Effective Conclusion Function of conclusion: to sum up your argument, put it as strongly as you can, and emphasize its importance and significance Suggestions for writing your conclusion: Answer the question “so what?” Synthesize – don’t summarize. Consider the future and/or applications and implications of your argument Answer the question “so what?” – show your readers why this paper and argument was important (significant) Synthesize – don’t summarize. – don’t simply repeat or list the things that were in your paper – explain how everything discussed fits together and connects back to your thesis (argument) – what is the SUM of your paper? Consider the future and/or applications and implications of your argument – redirect your readers to think more generally or globally. Go from specific to general – think globally.

APA Formatting – Running Head Each page of the document should include a running head and page number. The running head is a shortened version of your title. Maximum of 50 characters Includes letters, punctuation, and spaces Insert page numbers and running head using insert function in Word. Select “Different First page” Page one will include the words Running head: TITLE Subsequent pages will include only the TITLE See Running Head handout for step by step directions Did you know? The running head identifies the pages for the reader in case they get separated, and if you submit your paper for publication, it does this while preserving your anonymity during the review process. In published articles it also identifies the article for the reader at a glance (APA Style Blog).

Running head - Sample Page number Select Different First Page The words Running head will only appear on the title page. The TITLE and page # will appear on all subsequent pages.

APA Formatting – Title Page Text should be center-aligned. Begin typing (about) 1/3 of the way down the page Title page should include: The Title of the paper (Title Case) Your Name Your University Your instructor may also require additional information be included on your title page. 5 elements: running head, page number, title of essay, author, university

Title Page - Sample Running head for cover page Title Name University 5 elements: running head, page number, title of essay, author, university Title Name University

APA Headings Although headings are not always required, they do offer a helpful way to organize your paper. APA has five levels of headings. These are similar to the levels of an outline, with major points and sub-points. In most cases, you will only use up to a Level 3. Retrieved from http://blog.apastyle.org/apastyle/

APA Headings – Sample Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Retrieved from http://blog.apastyle.org/apastyle/ Level 4

Suggestions Purdue OWL APA Style Blog CASA Writing Center http://owl.english.purdue.edu/ This website has writing, formatting, and citation resources. APA Style Blog http://blog.apastyle.org/ This website is an excellent resource for answering your APA questions. CASA Writing Center http://casa.tamucc.edu/wc.php Make an appointment with a Writing Consultant APA handbooks and handouts

References American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: Author. American Psychological Association. (2012). APA style guide to electronic references. Washington, DC: Author. American Psychological Association. (2013). APA style blog. Retrieved from http://blog.apastyle.org/ Brandt, D. (2011). Sponsors of literacy. In E. Wardle and D. Downs (Eds.), Writing about writing (pp. 331-352). Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s. (Reprinted from College Composition and Communication 49(2), 165-185, 1998) Hacker, D. & Sommers, N. (2012). Rules for writers (7th ed.). Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin’s. Oshima, A., & Hogue, A. (2006). Writing academic English (4th ed.). New York, NY: Pearson. Palmquist, M. (2006). The Bedford researcher (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: Bedford/ St. Martin's. Ruszkiewicz, J. J. (2009). How to write anything: A guide and reference. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin’s. Tierney, R. J. & Pearson, P. D. (2011). Toward a composing model of reading. In E. Wardle and D. Downs (Eds.), Writing about writing (pp. 174-190). Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s. (Reprinted from Language Arts, 60(5), 568-580, 1983)