1. Notes on Drafts of Papers

2. Abstracts and References See “What is an abstract?” on course web site AEES Majors use APA format All others use GSA format

3. Conventions Genus and species names should be italicized or underlined E.g., Monograptus uniformis or Monograptus uniformis Genus names are capitalized (u.c.); species names are not (l.c.) Period and era are capitalized when used with a specific interval –E.g., Devonian Period or Paleozoic Era

4. Grammar “Being” is a noun; it is not a form of the verb “to be” So, usage such as “this being the case” or “being that these fossils are found…” is INCORRECT! Pronouns refer to the preceeding noun

5. Grammar What is wrong with this passage? “The trilobites occur in association with symmetrical ripples. Frequently, they are missing their heads.” Two things! The pronoun “they” refers to the ripples, not the trilobites; ripples have no heads to be missing! Frequently, carries a time connotation. It would be preferable to use “commonly”

6. Grammar When using “to try” with another verb, the correct form is: “to try to do …” NOT “to try and do…” This is one action, not two.