Formatting

Formatting and Structure for Assignments

Before you can format your work correctly, there are some key points you must know first

1.       What formatting style does your instructor expect you to use: MLA, APA, Turabian?

2.      Do you need a Title page?

3.      How many sources and source-types do you need?

4.      What is the structure for your final version?

a.       Abstract?

b.      Works Cited Page?

c.       Outline re-submission at the enc of the final version of the essay?

Once you know these things—which you can probably locate in the writing prompt—you will need to understand what is expected for the specific assignment.

1.       Are you writing an essay? If so, what kind?  (Each type follows a different format.)

a.       Process

b.      Classification

c.       Narration

                                                              i.      Personal Experience

d.      Expository

                                                              i.      Cause and Effect

                                                            ii.      Report

e.       Argument

                                                              i.      Persuasion

                                                            ii.      Analysis

2.      Are you writing a paragraph?

a.       Does it need to follow a specific format and structure?

3.      Are you writing a Reflection?

a.       Will it be in 1^st, 2^nd, or 3^rd person voice?

b.      How many paragraphs will it need?

c.       What format and structure should it follow?

4.      Are you writing a Technical Document?

a.       Letter

b.      Email

c.       Report

d.      Memo

e.       Resume

f.        Writing Portfolio, etc.

Each of these concepts is essential to creating the assignment your instructor is looking for in your submission.  Keep in mind that the point of an assignment is to see what you know or what you have learned.  Therefore, be sure to use information from your textbook—whenever possible—to provide the most content your instructor will be looking for.  After all, you were assigned readings for a purpose—content comprehension—and your assignment is simply the way your instructor will be able to determine if you have learned the necessary materials for that given section of the class.

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Review these Links for Help with the Assignment

Knowing Your Assignment

Understanding Assignments

                                     

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Page Organization

Title Page

Abstract

Essay

References

Outline

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Source Usage

Plagiarism 101

Overview

Using Sources

How to Cite

In Text Punctuation

Evidence

Figures and Charts

Paraphrase

Quoting

Fallacies

References

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Formatting

Formatting

MLA

APA

Turabian

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Images in Writing

Image Usage

Figures and Charts

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Format Before Publishing

PUBLISHING

Plagiarism

Compatible Format

Types of Formatting Styles

Using MLA

Using APA

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Additional Help

Need Help with formatting and don't see it listed in the links above?  Take a look at these items to see if they have what you need:

MICROSOFT OFFICE WORD 

• Compatible Format

EASYBIB

• Help from EasyBib
• EasyBib Lessons
• Sign Up for EasyBib

CITATION MACHINE

• CitationMachine
• Title Page Program--makes Title Page for you
• Check for Plagiarism
• Resources Guide from CitationMachine

USING SOURCES

• Paraphrasing