Writing Guidelines

Format

· Use 12-point, Times New Roman font with one-inch margins. If you’re having trouble squeezing it all in, use Arial Narrow. If you don’t have a title page, make sure to include your name, student number, course code, professor and TA/section at the TOP of your first page.

· Page Numbering: In the top, right-hand corner of your header, put your last name and the page number. Don’t count the title page.

· Don’t underestimate the value of PROOFREADING. A great technique is to read it aloud to yourself to see if there are any awkward points; even the greatest of arguments will be lost in an essay that is choppy and difficult to read. Also, get a friend to read it over for both comprehension (you should have explained the terms you use to the point that someone without knowledge of your subject should have a good idea what you’re talking about) and for awkward flow/language errors.

· Always underline or italicize book/publication/newspaper/magazine titles within the body of your text. Put article/song titles in quotations

· Unless told otherwise, ALWAYS double-space and DO NOT leave an extra space between paragraphs!

· Paragraphs should always be at least three sentences long. When you move onto a new point, start a new paragraph. NEVER have “floating sentences” that are a paragraph unto themselves.

Language

· As a rule of thumb, try not to use more than two commas in one sentence. Semi-colons are a very effective tool and help the flow of your statements. Use a semi-colon ONLY when each part can stand on its own as a complete sentence. Make sure to write in complete sentences; a surprising number of people use many sentence fragments in their papers.

· Some students still make many grammatical errors, which again detracts from the flow and readability of the paper. Pay close attention to pronoun agreement. For example: “When someone writes a paper in first year university, they often make grammatical errors”. Don’t mix plural pronouns with singular ones! Make use of the terms “one”, “him/her”, “a person”. Watch the difference between then (in reference to time) and than (in reference to contrast, comparing)

· “Formal” does not mean that your paper needs to be restrictive or ‘up-tight’; it just means that there are certain conventions that you need to follow in order to write an academic paper (including avoiding contractions, staying away from personal anecdotes unless directly related, not using slang, short forms or colloquialisms)

· Double-check for common errors: confusion of affect/effect (verb/noun), “i before e”, there/they’re/their, its/it’s

· Write out all numbers up to ten (ie: write out two, do not put ‘2’). For numbers over ten, you may write the numerical form.

Content

· Do not assume your reader’s knowledge of the subject you are discussing and particularly of the examples you are using; explain terms, concepts and background for examples.

· Many people cling to the “hamburger” or three-prong essay from highschool where you have an introduction, three main points and conclusion. Realize that the next level of sophistication is required at the university level; a lot of the time the “three point” paper does not suit the assignment (especially in a compare and contrast essay like your upcoming one). Instead, state (in your introduction) your thesis statement: one sentence explaining exactly what you intend to argue in your paper. Cultivate a strong argument using examples, quotations, experience, etc. in a logical manner. Conclude by reiterating your thesis statement.

· Don’t forget to answer the WHY and HOW questions. WHY is this point (your thesis) important? HOW is it relevant? Don’t write for the sake of writing – have a point that says something meaningful, and explain why it is worthwhile to write/think about.

· Never generalize without explanation (make a sweeping statement that you do not provide an argument/justification for). Relatedly, do not make a claim about all people or a group of people without a reference. If it’s just your opinion, say so. Avoid vast generalizations for the most part – stay away from sweeping statements about the state of humanity! “Since the beginning of civilization, humankind has…”

· Don’t underestimate the importance of simplicity and clarity; avoid wordy, rambling sentences. Explain yourself clearly and include only what’s directly important to your argument.

Referencing

· Make sure to consistently reference. This is very important, as some markers will come down VERY hard on you if you use an inconsistent/insufficient referencing style.

· Avoid referencing lectures in your papers; it makes it seem like you haven’t engaged with the text.

· Within your paper, reference ALL quotations and paraphrased ideas that are not your own. Do so by putting the author’s last name, followed by the page reference immediately after the quote/paraphrase, followed by a period (Weaver, 2). There’s no need for footnotes unless you need to explain/qualify something outside the body of your text.

· Entitle your reference page Works Cited or Bibliography. Citations are to be double-spaced.

MLA Basic Guidelines (note: all you can italicize book titles instead of underlining if you prefer):

1. Book by one author:

Mistry, Rohinton. A Fine Balance. Toronto: McCelland, 1995.

2. Book by two+ authors (if more than three, just say first author followed by the term ‘et al’)

Podleski, Janet, and Greta Podleski. Crazy Plates. Waterloo: Granet, 1999.

3. Book by an editor/compiler

Silvera, Maceda, ed. The Other Woman: Women of Colour in Contemporary Canadian Literature.

Toronto: Sister Vision, 1995.

4. Work in a collection/anthology

Kincaid, Jamaica. “Blackness.” The Oxford Book of Caribbean Short Stores. Ed. Stewart Brown. Oxford:
Oxford UP, 1999. 162-165.

*note: if a multiple edition work or translated piece, write ‘2^nd Ed.’ and/or ‘Trans.’ directly after the book title

5. Magazine Article

Oh, Susan. “Flu Watch: Waiting for the Big One” Macleans. 29 Nov. 1999: 76-90.

6. Journal Article

Stratton, Florence. “Cartographic Lessons: Susanna Moodie’s Roughing it in the Bush and Thomas

King’s Green Grass, Running Water.” Canadian Literature. 161/162 (1999): 82-102

*note: 161/162 is the issue number

7. General Format for Electronic/Online Sources

Author. “Title of Document”. Title of Original Source. Date of Print Version. Volume #, Issue #, Date o

retrieval .

8. Lecture

Sevigny, Alexandre. “Lecture Number 9”. CMST 1A03: Introduction to Communication. McMaster

University, 12 November 2006.