Common Research Paper Mistakes

Attribution/citation of authority Failing to introduce and attribute quotations, not just document them Wrong: “Journeys are the midwives of thought” (4) Correct: University of London professor Alain DeBoton writes in his 2002 book, The Art of Travel, “Journeys are the midwives of thought” (4)

Introductory Tags (authority’s name + strong verb) Acknowledges Comments Explains Submits Admits Considers Proposes Suggests Affirms Criticizes Reveals Writes Argues Declares Speculates Asks Defends States

NEVER use a contraction in a formal paper! Using Contractions NEVER use a contraction in a formal paper! Wrong: Jamison’s theory doesn’t agree with the data. Correct: Jamison’s theory does not agree with the data

Only 1 reason to use ITS…to make something possessive

Their= Possessive pronoun There= Adverb showing place (too vague for research) They’re= Contraction (they are) which does not belong in research

There is no such word as alot

Words, phrases, symbols to avoid Starting sentences with IT or THERE Intensifiers such as “very” “too” “really” “extremely” “I think” (personal pronouns in general) Abbreviations Etc & Text speak

Never use an apostrophe to create a plural Apostrophes indicate possession; they are NEVER used for making nouns plural. NO exceptions!