1. Requirements for Writing Assignments Follow APA, 6 th edition. Use 1’’ margins. Some pages may not have one inch margin at bottom of page if you use widow/orphan control. Use 12 pt. font / Times New Roman. For confidentiality, avoid using real names of people and places.

2. Title Page: Required Title page is the first page of your document. Title page is included in the same electronic file as document. The title for your paper is the assignment name & your name. Do not bold, place in quotation marks, underline, italicize, place in all caps, or use a period at the end of your title.

3. Title Page: Required Include a header with your name & the assignment name. Double-space the title page. Beneath the title of the paper, type: Your name Semester & year (Fall 2013) ECSE 3210 & section letter (ECSE 3210 A) Dr. Tonja Root, Instructor Valdosta State University

4. Page 1 of the Paper Include the title (centered at the top) on first page of text. Title is the assignment name & your name. In the title, capitalize the first word & all major words of title. Double-space title, if needed. Double-space ALL text in the paper (even between paragraphs). Left-justify all text. (flush left)

5. Body of the Paper In formal academic writing: Avoid writing like you talk. Double-space ALL text (even between paragraphs).

6. Body of Paper Avoid unnecessary commas. Do not use commas following conjunctions (and, but, etc.) that link dependent clauses (cannot stand alone as a complete sentence). Include a comma to separate two independent clauses joined by a conjunction. Use a comma between all elements in a series of three or more items (even before the “and”).

7. In regard to grammar, punctuation, and capitalization rules, access the following websites: Grammarbook.com http://www.grammarbook.com/ http://www.grammarbook.com/ OWL at Purdue General Writing Resources http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/1/ http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/1/ In regard to APA, access the following website: OWL at Purdue APA Formatting and Style Guide http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/ For additional information…

8. Body of Paper Do not use the word “you” as an indefinite pronoun Avoid using the word “you” to mean anyone – to refer to people in general use the word “people” or the word “one” APA: Periods and commas always go inside quotation marks; place other punctuation marks inside quotation marks only when part of quoted material

9. Body of Paper Avoid beginning sentences with “and” or “but” Avoid the use of slashes between words (to stand for the word and oror) Avoid using contractions Avoid using acronyms (the first time) Avoid beginning consecutive paragraphs with the same word Avoid beginning consecutive sentences with the same word

10. Body of Paper A pronoun must agree with its antecedent Correct example: A teacher works hard when he or she has to write daily lesson plans. (he or she is the pronoun which is singular; the word teacher, the pronoun’s antecedent, is also singular) Incorrect example: A teacher works hard when they have to write daily lesson plans. (the pronoun they is plural but its antecedent, the word teacher, is singular)

11. Body of Paper Avoid the overuse of the word “that” Avoid using “In my opinion…,” “in order to…,” “I believe,” and “I think” Avoid vague words - use definite, specific, concrete language (Example: Instead of using the words “in spite of the fact” use the word “though” or although”) Paragraphs should be between 3-7 sentences (a 5 sentence paragraph is best)

12. Use spell check (but will not check correct word usage – for example principal/principle and to/too/two) Allow enough time to proofread your work and have someone you trust proofread your work so you can make corrections (with a word processor) BEFORE you turn in the assignment

13. Visit the Student Success Center in Langdale Hall for help and tutoring