(no subject)
The 10 Commandments of Paper Writing
Thanks to Edward Pollack, West Chester University
I. Though shalt not cite directly a paper thou hast not read. Neither shalt
thou include in thy reference section any paper that thou hast not read nor
any paper which has not been cited in the body of thy paper. Such practices
constitute the padding of thy reference section. They are an abomination.
II. When paraphrasing part of an article, thou must significantly rewrite
the relevant material. Failure to paraphrase constitutes plagiarism for
which you will be cut down.
III. Excessive quotations are to be avoided. If thou canst not paraphrase a
thing, thou dost not understand that thing. If thou dost not understand a
thing, study it until thou dost understand it and by that understanding, are
able to paraphrase it. Excessive quotes are naught more than filler
material used by slothful students who do not have enough material to write
a decent paper.
IV. In the rare case that thou must use a quotation thou must know that
short quotations shalt always be enclosed within quotation marks. Quotations
longer than one or two sentences shall be indented. All quotations must be
followed by both the reference and the relevant page number (e.g., Pollak,
1974, p.322). Thou shalt include page numbers only for quotations. For
paraphrased material though shalt cite only the author(s) and date.
V. Thou shalt use APA style in all things. Thou shalt consult the APA style
manual or any current issue of the American Psychologist. APA style means
that thou shalt use few (if any) footnotes and that all references will be
cited in the body of the paper (e.g., Pollak, 1974). Thou shalt not use
numbered references. They are an abomination.
VI. Thou shalt avoid long, flowery, complex sentences in favor of a crisp,
telegraphic style.
VII. Thou shalt include an abstract at the beginning of thy paper. An
abstract is a summary of thy paper. It is not an introduction to thy paper.
VIII. Thou shalt use only those sources that come from scholarly journals
and books. Psychology Today and other popular magazines are not scholarly
journals. Neither are internet sources and encyclopedias appropriate for
college-level papers. These things are an abomination before our eyes.
IX. Thou must know that many of thy resources will not be contained within
the library of Saint Michael's College and must be sought elsewhere or must
be ordered through inter-library loan. Therefore I say unto thee, verily
must thou begin thy research at the earliest possible time lest the day of
judgment approach and thou art found wanting before thy professor.
X. Thy professor is a gentle and gracious professor. Thou shalt consult
with thy professor at any and all stages of the research and writing process
that thou might not fall into error. Thy professor shalt treat thy
inquiries with helpfulness and charity even unto reading an early draft of
thy work. If thou dost listen to my words and do these things that I
command, thou will be found worthy and thy grade point average will prosper
even unto summa cum laude.
Thanks to Edward Pollack, West Chester University
I. Though shalt not cite directly a paper thou hast not read. Neither shalt
thou include in thy reference section any paper that thou hast not read nor
any paper which has not been cited in the body of thy paper. Such practices
constitute the padding of thy reference section. They are an abomination.
II. When paraphrasing part of an article, thou must significantly rewrite
the relevant material. Failure to paraphrase constitutes plagiarism for
which you will be cut down.
III. Excessive quotations are to be avoided. If thou canst not paraphrase a
thing, thou dost not understand that thing. If thou dost not understand a
thing, study it until thou dost understand it and by that understanding, are
able to paraphrase it. Excessive quotes are naught more than filler
material used by slothful students who do not have enough material to write
a decent paper.
IV. In the rare case that thou must use a quotation thou must know that
short quotations shalt always be enclosed within quotation marks. Quotations
longer than one or two sentences shall be indented. All quotations must be
followed by both the reference and the relevant page number (e.g., Pollak,
1974, p.322). Thou shalt include page numbers only for quotations. For
paraphrased material though shalt cite only the author(s) and date.
V. Thou shalt use APA style in all things. Thou shalt consult the APA style
manual or any current issue of the American Psychologist. APA style means
that thou shalt use few (if any) footnotes and that all references will be
cited in the body of the paper (e.g., Pollak, 1974). Thou shalt not use
numbered references. They are an abomination.
VI. Thou shalt avoid long, flowery, complex sentences in favor of a crisp,
telegraphic style.
VII. Thou shalt include an abstract at the beginning of thy paper. An
abstract is a summary of thy paper. It is not an introduction to thy paper.
VIII. Thou shalt use only those sources that come from scholarly journals
and books. Psychology Today and other popular magazines are not scholarly
journals. Neither are internet sources and encyclopedias appropriate for
college-level papers. These things are an abomination before our eyes.
IX. Thou must know that many of thy resources will not be contained within
the library of Saint Michael's College and must be sought elsewhere or must
be ordered through inter-library loan. Therefore I say unto thee, verily
must thou begin thy research at the earliest possible time lest the day of
judgment approach and thou art found wanting before thy professor.
X. Thy professor is a gentle and gracious professor. Thou shalt consult
with thy professor at any and all stages of the research and writing process
that thou might not fall into error. Thy professor shalt treat thy
inquiries with helpfulness and charity even unto reading an early draft of
thy work. If thou dost listen to my words and do these things that I
command, thou will be found worthy and thy grade point average will prosper
even unto summa cum laude.