Double-spaced (NOTE: The following are standard academic writing rules, but always follow instructor preferences for your essay, which may be different.)
Times New Roman, 12-point font
1-inch margins
0.5-inch paragraph indent
Essay Outline Guide
Introduction: -Begin with a sentence that hooks the reader (i.e., a strong statement or question). -Write a few sentences introducing background information about the topic -End the paragraph with a thesis statement. (A thesis statement is a sentence about the position you will take on the topic. Explain why you support or do not support the topic and give three reasons why you believe this).
Body Paragraph(s): -The first body paragraph should introduce the first reason for your position listed in the thesis statement. This may expand beyond one paragraph. Each additional reason for your argument begins a new paragraph. -Within the body paragraph/paragraphs, you must include evidence to support your statements. -Find and read peer-reviewed articles online that appear to support the claims you make in the paper. Highlight/underline author statements that support your claims and include them in your paragraphs. -In-text citations must follow every quote or paraphrase you've chosen from the article. See examples
here
.
Conclusion: -Restate the thesis statement, using different words. -In several sentences, summarize key points made within the essay -Close with final insight or a call to action that supports your position.
Final Pages: -List the references of your chosen articles. These references must correspond with in-citations used in the draft.
-The last page in an APA paper is titled References (centered and bolded).
-The last page in an MLA paper is titled Works Cited (centered and unbolded).
-Place all references in alphabetical order and apply a *hanging indent.
*A hanging indent is a setting that sends the first line of each reference to the left margin and if that reference has more than one line, the remaining lines are indented .5 inch.
APA In-text Citations
Source with 1 author (Smith, 2021) - Author last name + source publication year.
Source with 2 authors: (Smith & Jones, 2021)
Source with 3 or more authors: (Smith et al., 2021)
Source with no author: ("Article Title," 2021)
MLA In-text Citations
Source with 1 author (Smith 23) - Author name + page number. No comma required.
Source with 2 authors: (Smith and Jones 56)
Source with 3 or more authors: (Smith et al. 21)
Source with no author: ("Article Title" 10)
MLA In-text Citations
Quotes, Paraphrases, and Signal Phrases
Quotes: It is best to include evidence found in your sources that backs up ideas presented in the paper. This can be done by copying and pasting the evidence close to your statements, adding quotes around their words. In-text citations must follow direct quotes.
Paraphrases: To paraphrase means to rewrite, in your own words, statements found within source text. It is an alternative to directly quoting the source text.
The key to a good paraphrase is to maintain the author's meaning.
Whether paraphrasing or quoting directly, the source must be cited.
Signal phrases: Signal phrases are words used to introduce a quote or paraphrase. See examples below.
APA Signal Phrase Examples (examples represent paraphrases and quotes from sources)
The more we write, the better we become at it (Smith, 2020).
According to Wilson (2021), "beginning with an outline helps students organize their writing".
Withers et al.(2010) argued the importance of revising drafts before submitting.
Fountain (2013) states that, "citing sources protects credibility".
Another way to improve writing is to read regularly(Garcia et al., 2018).
Williams and Oliver (2015) stated that study groups increase learning retention.
Researchers (Mercer & Dennis, 2023) note that reading drafts aloud helps students catch writing errors (p.25).
MLA Signal Phrase Examples (examples represent paraphrases and quotes from sources)
The more we write, the better we become at it (Smith 59).
According to Wilson, "beginning with an outline helps students organize their writing" (15).
Withers et al. argued the importance of revising drafts before submitting (44).
Fountain states that, "citing sources protects credibility" (10).
Another way to improve writing is to read regularly (Garcia et al. 18).
Williams and Oliver (21) stated that study groups increase learning retention.
Researchers (Mercer and Dennis 19) note that reading drafts aloud helps students catch writing errors (p.25).