In this Presentation
About academic writing, sources, plagiarism Kinds of research
Academic Writing
Presenting new perspectives Making a POINT Proving your points with research Giving the reader PROOF Relating back to the overall argument of your paper Adding some explanatory COMMENTARY
Types of Sources
Primary
Original research, theories, or documented experiences.
Original work that you are writing. Examples: carrying out your own experiments,
conducting surveys or interviews, reviewing primary documents such as letters and treatises, as well as documentaries.
Secondary
Supports your argument based on source material
authored by other people. Information and arguments from other writers about a topic or primary source. Examples: journal articles, books, films.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism can be intentional: Buying a paper, submitting a friends, paying someone to write a paper for you, piecing together text from websites, etc.
keep it with you and reference it at all stages of research and writing!
Citations
Summary: provides an understanding of the core
your sources
Three common options: APA (usually the sciences & social sciences) MLA (usually the humanities) Chicago (certain disciplines like History)
What is APA?
Formatting and referencing style of
Centre
Full manual located in Ryerson
Library, 2nd Floor Reserves at BF76.7.P82 2009 and in the Book store
General Formatting
Standard legal paper size 8.5 x 11 Typed at 12 pt. Time New Roman font and double-spaced
Page Header
Page number in top right corner of EVERY page. Title
page starts as 1.
Title in top left of EVERY page: Title page: Running head: TITLE OF PAPER All other pages: TITLE OF PAPER Use the Page Header section in Microsoft Word.
upper half of the page Full title (may take two lines) Writers name Institution name Do not bold or italicize anything
Professors name
Course name/code/section etc.
Abstract 1/2
Not always required, but advised Page 2 First line, centered: Abstract (plain text) Do not indent first line In 150-250 words, detail the important points of the paper
Abstract 2/2
Should include a concise
Throughout the essay, subheadings may be used There are five levels; see 6th Manual pp. 62-63
name in sentence:
Singh (2002) found that 54% of men studied
oranges.
show that wording has been altered to maintain context or conform grammar
Citing indirect sources (quoting a quote): use
double quotations to signify all material taken from the source being quoted and single quotations to signify material quoted in that source
Miele (1993) found that the placebo effect which had
been verified in previous studies, disappeared when [only the first groups] behaviours were studied in the manner (p. 276).
closing of the quote (), cite the source in parenthesis and continue your sentence.
it. In applying Blaines idea that the act of understanding another language through physical communication is exemplary of the universality of human action (2002, p. 32) essentially renders the original theory as false.
Crediting a citation from another source Swansons study (as cited in Sonire, Liu, & Schmidt, 2005) suggests that
all names in the first citation, but only the first author and et al. for subsequent citations
first: (Grant, Dewey, Fern & Miller, 2008) subsequent: (Grant et al., 2008)
only the name of the first author and et al. for all citations
(Zamboni et al., 2005)
direct quotes. It is strongly encouraged that a page/paragraph number also be given for paraphrasing or other material drawn from a specific section of a source
p. refers to a single page; pp. refers to more than one para. refers to a paragraph from a website or document that does
not have page numbers you must count down to the paragraph number
If a work has no date, use n.d. in place of the year More on citations in 6th Manual pp. 169-179
References
numbering or bullets
Entries should be double-spaced and have a
names; works with no author should be organized by the beginning letter of the first major word of the title or group/organization author. Only use the last name and the initials of first and middle names.
Mills, S. (1997). Discourse. New York: Routledge. Said, E. (1979). Orientalism. New York: Vintage Books.
York: Routledge.
Foucault, M. (1978). The History of Sexuality Volume I: An Introduction. New York: Vintage Books.
italicization of titles (of books and chapters, journals and articles) and to punctuation and spacing
Use logic to determine how to reference complex
etc.), cut URLs to complete a line of text and proceed to the next
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2008). UNODC
an author
writing and referencing during any stage of the process. One 50 minute appointment per week. Book appointments online. Regular workshops on a variety of writing-related topics. Useful guides and links on the website.
LIB 272B www.ryerson.ca/writingcentre (416) 979-5000 ext. 7192