How to Improve Your Paper
Citation
Learn HOW to cite:
Use either Chicago Manual Style (preferred) or MLA Style (If you are a science major and knows another citation style well, you can use it; just be consistent)
This is an excellent citation guide:
Research and Documentation Online (click on “History” on the tab)
http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/resdoc5e/RES5e_ch10_s1-0007.html
Learn WHEN to cite:
http://www.library.ucla.edu/bruinsuccess/
Book titles & article titles in the main text
Book titles should be either Italicyzed or Underlined (either is fine; just be consistent):
In Embracing Defeat, John Dower documents that….
As a popular Taisho novel, Naomi, illustrates, the Modern Girl was portrayed...
Article titles and chapter titles should be in quotation marks:
Samuel Walker, in his “The Decision to Use the Bomb: A Historigraphical Update,” discusses various interpretations regarding. . . .
Its vs. It’s
“It’s” is a contraction of “It is.” “Its” is the possessive. Do not be confused!!!
You should not be using contraction in an academic paper anyway. Just remember not to use “it’s” at all in your academic paper.
Be cohesive
How? Pay attention to transition from one paragraph to the next. Your sentences should also be cohesive, transiting logically and smoothly from one to the other.
Be coherent
A coherent paper means:
• The beginning and the ending of the paper match
*You don’t want to start discussing about A and end up concluding about B!
• The middle part of the paper supports your argument
• Your argument, thesis, and/or main points are introduced in the first paragraph, and your paper proceeds according to the direction you set up in that introduction. TIP: Use the essay question to start the introduction paragraph. After all, that is what your paper needs to directly respond!
• Each paragraph should build up your argument.
Proofread!!!!
Check these cites to be familiar with common grammatical errors:
Indiana University’s writing tutorial:
http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/proofing_grammar.shtml#fragments
“20 Most Common Errors” by Bedford/St. Martins Press:
http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/everyday_writer3e/20errors/default.asp