General Tips for Writing Academic Assignments

 

As this class emphasizes academic writing, citations and a list of references are required of almost all of your assignments. Be sure to cite all references, including quoted passages and unquoted ideas. Citations must consist at least of author, source, and year, as well as page number/s when necessary. For help with proper citations, consult any manual of style for the social sciences. You will find such manuals in the library. Two of the most respected manuals are the following:

 

Gibaldi, Joseph. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 5th ed. New York: The Modern Language Association of America, 1999.

Chicago Editorial Staff, The Chicago Manual of Style, 14th ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1993.

 

Conventions for citing Internet and multi-media resources (e.g., CD-ROMs, essays posted on the World Wide Web, news groups, and e-mail correspondences) may be found in the following books:

 

Harnack, Andrew, and Gene Kleppinger. Online! A Reference Guide to Using Internet Sources. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1997.

Walker, Janice R., and Todd Taylor. The Columbia Guide to Online Style. New York: Columbia University Press, 1998.

 

Use Temple’s Paley Library and the Interlibrary Loan System for obtaining valid, scholarly research materials (http://www.library.temple.edu). Start your work early. Once you are finished with your paper do not delete the file, even after you have submitted it. I am very conscientious and will do anything in my power not to lose your paper. I am, however, subject to the same “acts of God” you may complain of. If my hamster should decide to eat your essay, it is necessary that you be able to supply a copy of your work. Temple’s Writing Center on the lower level of Weiss Hall provides free tutorial services for students to learn and enhance their writing skills (http://www.temple.edu/writingctr). Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcomed. Additionally, a number of informative publications introducing students to the various aspects of academic writing are available in print as well as on the World Wide Web (e.g., http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/religion/essays.htm).

 

Finally, all students deserve an atmosphere of fairness, honesty, and maturity. Violations of academic honesty such as plagiarism and academic cheating are subject to disciplinary procedures as stated in the University's Statement on Academic Honesty and the Student Code of Conduct (http://www.temple.edu/assistance/ccIIIa.html). For any of the above-mentioned conduct you will fail the class at first offense regardless of whatever additional disciplinary measures the University applies.