Top 11 things EVERYONE should to consider when writing!

1) Read the assignment carefully and thoroughly before your begin writing the 1st draft of the paper!  Be sure to follow the requirements of the assignment.

2) Check to make sure you are using the appropriate reference formatting style for the paper.  If its APA style, then use APA style throughout.  There are links on the course web page to style guides that provide information on correct formatting.

Correct way to cite a source in a paper APA style:

Anthropogenic sources of CO2 have resulted in a 25% increase in CO2 in the atmosphere over the last 200 years (Campbell, 2002).

For Internet sites, its (Author or Organization, year cite was updated…this is usually at the bottom of the page).  For example…(EPA, 2002).  DO NOT PUT THE WEB PAGE URL HERE...THIS GOES IN THE LITERATURE CITED AT THE END OF THE PAPER, and you must provide more than just the URL in the lit. cited.  Consult the guidelines for the citation style you are using for how to cite and internet source.!

3) You MUST cite your sources in the body of the paper, unless otherwise specified in the assignment!  This does not just mean citing quoted information.  Any information, facts, ideas that are not you own, even if you state them in your own words (which you should) MUST be cited in the body of the text according to the formatting style you're are using.  

4) Quotes - NEVER quote information!  Explain in your own words, and show me that you understand what you are writing about.  However, you must cite information you obtain from another source if is not general knowledge.   Quotes should only be used to enhance or highlight an argument  you are making.

5) Evaluate your sources!  Are your sources credible or reputable?  Just because it is on the web or has been published, doesn't mean it is a trustworthy source. Ask yourself if your sources are from authors or organizations that may have a bias about the information they are presenting.  Is the information you obtain from a source supported by other authors or organizations?   Things to look out for when evaluating a source:

6) Write for your audience.  Consider 1) who is your audience; 2) their level of expertise in the topic area; 3) their interest in the topic area; 4) how they will use the information you are providing them.  Depending on the level of expertise or your intended audience you may have to 1) educate them, 2) make assumptions that they have basic background knowledge, 3) engender excitement in them about the topic, 4) persuade them, 5) help them understand the importance or relevance of the topic being addressed.  Always consider your audience before you make these decisions.

7) When appropriate - Use section headings to help the reader organize the information presented in a report or scientific paper.  This may or may not be appropriate for other forms of writing (i.e. an article in a newspaper or magazine, a letter etc...).

8) Provide an appropriate title to your work that suits the purpose of your writing.  For example, if writing a magazine article, an eye-catching title may be appropriate.  If writing a report to a government agency, the title should inform the reader as to the contents of the report.  Again, you should always consider your audience when giving your work a title.

9) Scientific writing should generally have an appropriate introductory paragraph that informs the reader of the purpose of the paper and the main thesis!  Additionally there should be a concluding paragraph (or two) that sums up your work and concisely relates your ideas/recommendation/solutions to the evidence/ideas/theories presented in the paper.  (You will not need to do this when you are simply writing up a summary of your assigned learning issues research).

10) Once you've written the first draft of your paper, you may share your work with your team members and edit each other's work.  This process is called peer review and it is something that all scientists do before submitting their writing for publication.  In fact the process of publishing an article often requires even further peer review by experts in the field.   This process will also better prepare you for the exam since you will become informed on aspects of the problem that you had not researched or wrote about.  Some things to look for in editing each other's work:

a. Grammar and spelling
b. Does the paper flow logically?
c. Are there sections that are repetitious or contradictory?
d. Are statements or recommendations backed up by evidence/ideas/theories?
e. Are the ideas stated as concisely as possible?
f. Is there information presented that is just "filler" and does not contribute to addressing the purpose and thesis of the paper.
11) Use the writing lab at the Center for Student Learning (Addlestone Library 1st Floor).  Bring your paper to the writing lab (along with the assignment), and go over it with one of the tutors there.  I also have tutors for Biology 101 who can help you. These are GREAT resources and they are FREE!!  Feel free to come by my office and get help when you need it; however, don't wait until the last minute to do this!!