1 Term Paper (1) Instructions and APA Format

2 Term Paper What is Term Paper = Research Paper What is the topic = you choose What is length = 1800 words (around 6-7 pages) When is it due = April 23 (rough), May 14 (final) How many points = 100 (rough), 100 (final) How many sources = 4 minimum, ideally more Where do I find sources = - The Skeptic Magazine Skeptical Inquiry James Randi Educational Foundation PEST Critical Thinking Community The Skeptics Dictionary Wikipedia Google Scholar -

3 Term Paper How do I write a Term Paper = - critically evaluate a single topic in-depth - see handout for possible questions to ask/answer - develop an outline or structure - use our “Critically Thinking Toolbox” - use APA format How will the paper be graded = - see handout

4 What is “APA format” APA style officially refers to The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, which is a style manual of over 430 pages now in its fifth edition. It is published by the “American Psychological Association” (APA), which is the main scholarly organization for academic psychologists in the United States. With millions of copies sold, it is the style manual for students and professors in psychology, sociology, business, economics, nursing, social work, and justice administration, and other disciplines.

5 What do I have to know about “APA format” There are 1000s of rules and guidelines described in the APA Publication Manual… I will first provide an overview of APA format so that you can learn the basics behind how to use APA format when writing a paper. I will then explain what you need to know to write your Term Paper.

6 Basic Formatting Rules There is a common set of formatting for all pages: Paper – 8.5 x 11 inches Margins – 1 inch on all sides Page numbers – top right Major Headings – centered, capitalize words Spacing – double-spaced throughout paper Font size – 12-point font Font Type – Time Roman Indentation – Indent when starting new paragraph Here are some websites that provide a concise overview of essential formatting rules:

7 Predetermined order of pages

8 Typical sections in an “empirical paper”

9 The sections for your Term Paper: Title Page

10 The sections for your Term Paper: Body of the paper

11 The sections for your Term Paper: Body of the paper (cont.)

12 The sections for your Term Paper: Reference

13 The formatting of a reference is very specific. Here is the format for a Magazine Article The sections for your Term Paper: Reference (cont.) Posner, M.I. (1993, October 29). Seeing the mind. Science, 262, Notice - Name = Last Name, then initials for first name and middle name - When = (year, month day). End with a period. - Title = capitalize only first word. End with a period. - Magazine = italicized - Issue = italicized - Pages = end with a period.

14 The formatting is different for each “type” of reference, such as journal article, book, new article, etc. Here are some websites that provide a concise overview of how to format each type of reference Here is a website that formats the reference for you: The sections for your Term Paper: Reference (cont.)

15 Writing Exercise #4 You will use our Critical Thinking Toolbox to examine an article for your Term Paper. 1-3 page double-spaced typed paper that analyzes the arguments for and against the topic of the article You must use APA format