Writing Resources

Academic writing can seem like a foreign language, and in some ways, it is. 

At the Writing Center, we're here to help you sort out what "reflection paper in APA Style" actually means! We're happy to talk about the particular elements that make academic writing distinct from other kinds of formal writing. We can also help explain the multiple types of academic assignment, such as literature reviews, essays, research papers, reflection papers, scientific papers, and critical reviews.

How is academic writing different?

Although academic writing can seem like an alien language, it actually follows a number of specific conventions as a variant of formal written English:

• Academic writing has its own register, in the same way that business writing, legal writing, poetry, and cookbooks have their own register. Your goal is not to suppress your voice as a writer and replace it with academic register—rather, it is to develop your voice as a writer so that you can express yourself clearly and cogently in that register.

• Academic writing has standards of evidence, which vary from field to field. Generally, you are expected to support your assertions with the best evidence you can muster. In some fields, especially scientific fields, only the most rigorous evidence is acceptable.

• Academic writing has its own structure, which generally requires you to have a clear thesis statement or a limited focus. You need to make your thesis or focus clear to the reader, and develop that throughout your writing with a rational organization and structure. Introductions and conclusions are a big part of this process.

• Academic writing, even for a class, is assumed to have a specific audience. For example, this may be limited to others in the same field or sub-field, it may be cross-disciplinary, it may be targeted to policy-makers, or it may be aimed at a segment of the public. You are expected to adjust your level of detail according to your audience’s pre-existing knowledge.

• Academic writing is a collaborative endeavor. While some academic writing merely reviews the state of scholarship on a subject, you are usually expected to synthesize material so that your point is advancing common scholarship rather than simply repeating the words of others. The overall goal is to improve collective knowledge.

• A lot academic writing often must also adhere to a particular style guide. This may be limited to document format and citations, or it may extend to use of particular language and inclusion of particular sections and structures. Common style guides are APA, MLA, Chicago, and so on.

Know your baseline with academic writing, and be able to adapt as needed—for example, you may use a more personal voice and less extensive evidence in a reflection paper, while still using the structure, style, and audience expected by academic writing. Knowing where to start, though, will help you make these adjustments comfortably, smoothly, and effectively.

*Developed by John Dunham, Antioch University Virtual Writing Center Director

Resources for Academic Language:

• What They Don't Tell You About Academic Writing
  PowerPoint on the fundamentals of Academic Writing and how to consider a specific audience

• The Basics of Academic Essays
  Tip sheet on how to think about the types of essays and the best form and content to meet their goals

Common Terms in Academic Assignments:

Before you can write a good paper for any class, you need to know what the professor is asking you to do.  Here are some of the common verbs that professors use when they compose assignments.

• Analyze – take apart and look at something closely

• Compare – look for similarities and differences; stress similarities

• Contrast – look for differences and similarities; stress differences

• Critique – point out both positive and negative aspects

• Define – explain exactly what something means

• Describe – show what something looks like, including physical features

• Discuss – explore an issue from all sides: implies wide latitude

• Evaluate – make a value judgement according to some criteria (which it would be wise to make clear)

• Explain – clarify or interpret how something works or happens

• Illustrate – show by means of example, picture, or diagram

• Interpret – translate how or why; implies some subjective judgement

• Justify – argue in support of something; to find positive reasons

• List – order facts, attributes, or items in sequence

• Outline – organize according to hierarchy and/or category

• Prove – demonstrate correctness by use of logic, fact, or example

• Review – reexamine the main points or highlights of something

• State – assert with confidence

• Summarize – pull together the main points

• Synthesize – combine or pull together pieces or concepts

• Trace – present an outline or show a sequence or how or why something occurs or happens

*Developed by the Antioch Virtual Writing Center

Starting a piece of writing? We're happy to help out with any aspect of getting started, including interpreting the assignment, brainstorming your approach, outlining based on your research, laying out your key points, planning your work, or whatever else would be helpful! 

Resources:

• Sample Timeline for Writing a Paper
  Lays out the steps for writing a larger paper along with week-by-week goals to get it done with plenty of time

• Understanding the Assignment
  Definitions of common terms used in academic assignments

• Organizing Ideas Before you Write
  Describes several prewriting options for getting your ideas down and outlining your work

• Composing a Draft
  Guidelines for a first draft

• Helpful Techniques for Multiple Types of Learners
  Ways to understand learning styles and use them to your advantage during writing and research

Resources:

• Flowchart for Writing Research Papers

• Getting Started & Expanding Ideas

• Thesis Statements and Guiding Ideas

• Tips for Integrating Quotations (“Quote Sandwich”)

• Tips for Effective Introductions

• Drafting Your Introduction (worksheet)

• Conclusion Strategies

• Structure of an Academic Essay

• Formulating a Research Question

• How to Approach Research Articles

• Tips for Writing Anxiety

• Finding & Incorporating Evidence

• Tips for Modifying Quotes

• Strategies for Paraphrasing and for Avoiding Plagiarism

• Tips for Prewriting & Outline Template

• Using Persona for Writer’s Block

• Tips for Revising

• Transitional Phrases

• Academic Tone for Formal Writing

• APA 7 Bias-Free Language Guidelines

• Signposting for Thesis or Dissertation Writing

• Dissertation Writing Flowchart

Useful Links:

• APA 7 Bias-Free Language Article [e.g., writing about gender, racial & ethnic identity, etc.]

• APA Dictionary of Psychology

• Academic Phrasebank [sentence templates for academic writing]

We can help you structure your work from a focus or thesis statement, develop supporting points and logical arguments, and so on. You can also talk with someone in more detail about structural tools such as transitions, section headings, sub-headings, guiding themes, and organization of material. We especially like working with people to develop a clear structure early in the writing process, which often means a better paper at the end.

Resources:

• Developing Thesis Statements
  Explains the importance of a thesis or focus and gives you some suggestions on how to identify yours

• Identifying Audience and Purpose
  Helps you structure your writing around the needs of your intended readers

• Transitioning Between Ideas
  Discusses several ways to flow from one idea into the next and some phrases you can use to signal that change to your readers

• The Basics of Academic Essays
  The structures, conventions, and content of four kinds of essay

Useful Links:

• Argument and Fallacies
  Tips for structuring your argument or thesis, and common logical fallacies to avoid in your writing

Whether it is introducing a quote, paraphrasing a section, or analyzing a source, we are here to help out. Integrating source material starts with locating valid sources that support your ideas, but the meat of the process lies in properly characterizing authors, using quotes for a particular, pointed purpose, paraphrasing material where appropriate, and transitioning smoothly between your own material and the words of others.

Resources:

• A Guide to Signal Phrases
  How to introduce and close out quotations in your writing

• A Short Guide to Paraphrasing
  How to express the ideas of other authors using your own words

• The Art of Integrating Sources
  How to use quotes, paraphrases, and references in your text

Useful Links:

• Purdue OWL on Avoiding Plagiarism
  In-depth explanation of plagiarism and how you can avoid it in your writing

• Using Zotero (Webinar)
  A helpful video from UChicago on using Zotero to manage your sources

We are always here here to provide that second set of eyes on a first or second draft. Most of us writers clarify our ideas as we write, so getting feedback on our drafts helps us better express those ideas for our audience. The Writing Center can help with clarity, organization, paragraph structure, relevance, and, of course, sentence structure and editing.

Resources:

• A Checklist for Revision
  What to do in what order to get the best out of your writing

• Writing Concisely
  How to say more with less

• Transitioning Between Ideas
  Discusses several ways to flow from one idea into the next and some phrases you can use to signal that change to your readers

• Reseeing and Revising
  Technique for considering your work from new and different angles

• Strategies for Editing and Proofreading
  PowerPoint presentation offering 10 helpful strategies for polishing your paper

Useful Links:

• Revising Writer-Based Prose
  Linda Flower discusses the concepts of writer- and reader-based prose and provides examples of how to revise for your audience.

• Improving Sentence Clarity
  Purdue OWL on writing sentences that leave your reader enlightened instead of confused

Example Paper and Templates:

• APA 7 Example Paper

• APA 7 Template Word Document [Word doc.]

• APA 7 Template Google Docs Document [Google Doc.]

APA Formatting & Style Basics:

• How to format APA 7 in-text citations

• How to format an APA 7 References list

• APA 7 Reference Examples – by Type of Source

• APA 7 Formatting & Style Tips

• APA 7 FAQs

• How to Write an Abstract in APA 7

• APA 7 Bias-Free Language Guidelines

Understanding APA Presentation/Workshop:

• Understanding APA, APA Style part 1: Thesis Statements [16-min. video]

• Understanding APA, APA Style part 2: Reducing Bias [14-min. video]

• Understanding APA, APA Style part 3: Integrating Source Material [30-min. video]

• Understanding APA, APA Format part 1: In-text Citations [23-min. video]

• Understanding APA, APA Format part 2: References and Document Format [16-min. video]

• Understanding APA Presentation [Google Slides]

Writing Style tips for Integrating Quotations and Paraphrases:

• APA 7 Signal Phrases for Quotes and Paraphrases

• Tips for Integrating Quotations (“Quote Sandwich”)

• Tips for Modifying Quotes

• How to Avoid Under- or Over-Citing in APA 7: Paraphrase Citation Examples

Research and Writing:

• How to Approach Research Articles

• Tips for Writing a Literature Review

• Strategies for the Research Process and Keeping Track of Sources [Workshop Slides]

• Tips for Writing Anxiety

APA 7 vs. other Styles:

• Changes from APA 6 to APA 7 Highlights: Checklist for Students

• Key Differences between APA 7 and MLA

Other Helpful Guides and Documents:

• American Psychological Association APA Style Blog

• Block Quotes: How to Format a Block Quote in APA

• Tables: How to make an APA 7 table in Microsoft Word [18-min. video; jump to 6:53 for demonstration]

• APA Dictionary of Psychology

• Academic Phrasebank [sentence templates for academic writing]

Quick Resources:

• APA 7th Edition Quick Reference
  Correct formats for commonly-used source types on the reference page, examples of in-text citations, and examples of different levels of heading

• Checklist for Writing in APA 7th Edition
  Want to make sure your paper meets the basic APA 7th Edition requirements? Use this checklist to review your work!

  1. • Changes from APA 6 to APA 7 Highlights: Checklist for Students
       Checklist for writers who are switching to 7th Edition, but who are already familiar with APA 6th Edition; it covers most changes relevant to student writers

     • APA 7 Example Paper
       An annotated paper showing many of the changes from 6th to 7th

• APA 7th Edition Template for Microsoft Word
  Opening this file with most versions of Microsoft Word will generate a blank document with basic APA formatting already completed. Use it like a MadLib to fill in your paper information! Updated 3/26/20 - double-check that it works correctly with your computer's version of Word.

• APA 7th Edition Google Docs Template
  This template lets you start a Google Doc in APA 7th Edition; you can also find templates from the menu in Google Docs using File->New->From Template

MLA Formatting & Style Basics:

• Key Differences between APA 7th Edition and MLA

• Key Differences between APA 6th Edition and MLA

• Tips for Integrating Quotations (“Quote Sandwich”)

• MLA Citations Overview

• MLA Example Paper

• MLA Signal Phrases for Quotes and Paraphrases

• MLA Works Cited Practice Template 

  1. • See the MLA 9th ed. Interactive Practice Template in the section below if you want to add supplemental information.

Useful Links:

• 5 Basic MLA Works Cited Examples

• MLA Formatting Guide

• MLA Citations Interactive Practice Template 

• Sample Papers in MLA Style

Resources:

• 5 Useful Rules for Commas

• Punctuation Quick Tips (Semicolons, Colons, and Dashes)

• Writing Stronger Sentences – Part 1: Active and Passive [17 min. video]

• The Punctuation Guide: Punctuation Marks and How to Use Them

• Example uses of “They” Pronouns (and information about other personal pronouns)

• APA 7th Edition Guidelines about Singular "They"

• Polishing Your Paper: 10 Strategies for Editing and Proofreading [PowerPoint from AU New England]

• Active Voice
  Tip sheet explaining the use of active versus passive voice and verb tense

• A Tip Sheet for Using The English Articles
  Addresses the use of "a," "an," and "the," and why and how they differ

• Confused About Commas?
  Tip Sheet for using commas and identifying dependent/independent clauses

• Avoiding Run-On Sentences
  Tip sheet discusses comma splices and fused sentences, what they are, and how to avoid them

Resources:

• Flowchart for Writing Research Papers

• Tips for (Critical) Analysis Essays

• Tips for Writing Scholarship Essays

• Tips for Writing Reflection Essays

• Tips for Getting Started on an Odyssey Article

• Tips for Writing A Business Plan

• Signposting for Thesis or Dissertation Writing

• Tips for Dissertation Introductions

• Tips for Writing a Literature Review

• Lit. Review Spreadsheet Template [for organizing sources & quotes - Google Sheets]

• Lit. Review Spreadsheet Template [for organizing sources & quotes - Excel]

• Writing a Family of Origin Paper

Resources:

• Academic Phrasebank [sentence templates for academic writing]

• How to Read a Scholarly Article

• Anatomy of a Scholarly Article

• How to Approach Research Articles

Resources:

• Dissertation Writing Flowchart

• Dissertation Progress Timeline [make a personal copy and use as a tool]

• Dissertation Survival Tips [from WEX]

• Tips for Dissertation Introductions

• Tips for Writing a Literature Review

• Signposting for Thesis or Dissertation Writing

• APA 7 Signal Phrases for Quotes and Paraphrases

• Tips for Integrating Quotations (“Quote Sandwich”)

• How to Avoid Under- or Over-Citing in APA 7: Paraphrase Citation Examples

• APA 7 Bias-Free Language Guidelines

• How to Approach Research Articles

• Alt Text Resources for Dissertations

• Minimum Digital Accessibility Standards

Workshops:

• Writing a Dissertation Introduction [Google Slides – must be signed into Antioch Gmail to access]

• List of Sample Section Headings from Diss. Intro. Workshop Slides [must be signed into Antioch Gmail to access]

• Organizing and Structuring Your Literature Review [Google Slides – must be signed into Antioch Gmail to access]

• How to Read a Lot Very Fast [28 min. video of workshop from AU New England – must be signed into Antioch Gmail to access]

• Strategies for the Research Process and Keeping Track of Sources [Google Slides from AUSB]

For AUSB PsyD Dissertations:

• 2020 AUSB PsyD Dissertation Handbook
  [PDF with clickable Table of Contents – must be signed in to PsyD student Sakai site]

• AU Front Matter Template – with APA 7 Heading Levels in MS Word Styles
  [Word doc. – must be signed in to PsyD student Sakai site]

• Published AUSB PsyD Dissertations on OhioLINK

• ALSO SEE: All APA 7 Resources

• ALSO SEE: Alt Text Resources for Dissertations [required by OhioLINK as of Feb. 2023]

• NOTE: Dissertations should use APA 7th Edition.

Useful Links:

• Academic Phrasebank [sentence templates for academic writing – Recommended for Lit. Review)

• The Illustrated Guide to a PhD [webcomic or 90-second video]

• APA 7 Bias-Free Language Guidelines [e.g., writing about SES, gender, racial & ethnic identity, etc.]

• Tables: How to make an APA 7 table in Microsoft Word [18-min. video; jump to 6:53 for demonstration]

• APA Dictionary of Psychology

• How to Read a Scholarly Article

• RefWorks: How to set up and use your account [AUSB Library]

• RefWorks Tutorial Videos [RefWorks YouTube Channel video playlists]

• Antioch Writers’ Exchange Free Dissertation Resources

• Antioch Writers’ Exchange Fee-based Dissertation Coaching, Editing, and Formatting

Resources:

• MACP Traineeship Sample Resume and Resume Tips

• MAPC Traineeship Sites – Questions for Site Interview Process

• Tips for Mental Health Progress Notes

• How to Approach Research Articles

• Tips for Integrating Quotations (“Quote Sandwich”)

• Tips for Modifying Quotes

• How to format APA 7 in-text citations

• How to format an APA 7 References list

• APA 7 Reference Examples – by Type of Source

• APA 7 Signal Phrases for Quotes and Paraphrases

• How to Avoid Under- or Over-Citing in APA 7: Paraphrase Citation Examples

Useful Links:

• APA 7 Bias-Free Language Guidelines [e.g., writing about gender, racial & ethnic identity, etc.]

• APA Dictionary of Psychology

• Academic Phrasebank [sentence templates for academic writing]

• Writing a Family of Origin Paper

Resources:

• Grammar Reference Sheet [count/non-count nouns, articles, verb forms]

• Transitional Phrases

Useful Links:

• Oxford Learner’s Dictionary

• Oxford Advanced American English Learner’s Dictionary

• How to use corpora for vocabulary building and collocations [which words go together]

• WordReference.com [Use the drop-down menu to select “English usage” or “English collocations.”]

• Academic Phrasebank [sentence templates for academic writing]

Resources:

• Staying on Track in Your Remote Classes

• Tips for Writing Anxiety

• Joining a Zoom Meeting and Configuring Audio & Video with Steve Dotto [11 min. video]

• Zoom Etiquette for BA students from Dawn Murray [4 min. video]

• Presenting in Google Slides using Speaker Notes (via Zoom) [handout]

• Presenting in Google Slides using Speaker Notes (via Zoom) [4 min. video]

Resources:

• RESUMES

  • • • Resume Tips and Template

      • Writing Resume Job Description Bullet Points with Strong Verbs

      • Resume Profile Statement Tips and Examples

      • Resume “Skills” Section Tips and Examples

      • Strengthening Your Resume [Google Slides – must be signed into Antioch Gmail to access]

      • MACP Traineeship Sample Resume and Tips

      • MAPC Traineeship Sites – Questions for Site Interview Process

  • COVER LETTERS

    • • Cover Letter Tips and Template

      • Cover Letter Checklist [for Writing/Revising]

Useful Links:

• How to Quantify your Resume Bullets

• 125 Sample Summary/Profile Statements [from St. Edward's Univ.]

• Resume and Cover Letter Tips for Getting Interviews

• Cover Letter Tips

Just as with a paper, we can help you consider your presentation's organization, audience, clarity, language, structure of ideas, and use of source material. We can also discuss questions of design, ways to communicate, and how to keep your audience's attention. Come talk to us about your Power Point and Open Office slides, Prezi layouts, associated handouts, and presentation notes. 

Resources:

• GENERAL TIPS

  • • • An Overall Guide to Presentations
        Covers all the dos and don'ts of organizing, composing, and delivering a good presentation

      • A PowerPoint on Slide Design
        Covers useful design tips, things to keep in mind, and things to avoid

      • Prezi Classic Overview
        A short Prezi showing the various basic things you can do with Prezi Classic

      • Design Tips for Presentations (in PowerPoint, Google Slides, and Canva) [Google Slides]

      • Ten Simple Rules for Making Good Oral Presentations
        NCBI's coverage of the main points to consider when giving a presentation, helpfully delivered via single-paragraph bullet points

      • Ten Slide Tips
        Garr Reynolds, author of "Presentation Zen," provides ten design tips for good slides, focusing on visual impact.

      • Templates and Little-Known Effects for Power Point
        This page provides examples and downloadable templates for creating more interesting slides in PowerPoint and step-by-step guidance for some of the lesser-used tools in the program.

• GOOGLE SLIDES

  • • • How to Create a Google Slideshow [handout]

      • Designing and Presenting in Google Slides [Google Slides Presentation – must be signed into Antioch Gmail to access]

      • Google Slides Tutorial: Getting Started & Overview [4 min. video]

      • Google Slides Tutorial: Adding Text [5 min. video]

      • Google Slides Tutorial: Formatting Images [5 min. video]

      • Google Slides Tutorial: Embedding Videos [3 min. video]

      • Google Slides Tutorial: Sharing and Presenting [3 min. video]

      • Using Google Slides Speaker Notes when Presenting Online with Zoom:

• Using Speaker Notes when Presenting Online [handout]

• Using Speaker Notes when Presenting Online [4 min. video]

• SLIDE THEMES & DESIGN

  • 1. • Slides Carnival [Google Slides & PowerPoint themes/templates]

       • Slides Go [Google Slides & PowerPoint themes/templates]

       • Canva [An alternate platform for presenting using pre-made templates, similar to Google Slides/PowerPoint. You must create a free account first and log in to use the services.]

• USING PHOTOGRAPHS, ICONS, & COLOR IN SLIDES:

  • Pexels: [Beautiful, free stock photos - image attribution encouraged]

  • Unsplash: [Beautiful, free high-resolution photos - image attribution encouraged]

  • Images of Empowerment: Free photos of women’s lives and work around the world [please credit photo source]

  • Allgo Plus-Size: Free stock photos featuring plus-size people
    [image attribution appreciated: AllGo and photographer Michael Poley]

  • Disabled And Here: Free stock photos and illustrations celebrating disabled Black and Indigenous people of color (BIPOC) [please credit photo source]

  • The Gender Spectrum Collection: Free stock photos of trans and non-binary people [please credit The Gender Spectrum Collection in your captions]

Photos "have the power to shape perceptions of entire communities.” Used with care they can “chip away at harmful stereotypes,” leading to “more accurate perceptions and understandings.” [Source: The Gender Spectrum Collection.]

NOTE: Avoid using photographs with identifiable faces next to text related to sensitive topics such as sexual health, crime, violence, and mental health.

• • IconsDB [simple icons you can easily change the colors of]

  • Noun Project: Icons [requires creating a free account first]

  • Free icons from SlidesCarnival

  • Flaticon [mix of free and paid icons]

  • StorySet [free customizable illustrations]

• • Canva color schemes [You can copy the hex codes and add that specific color to your slides, whether as a font or slide background color.]

  • Canva color palette generator [to generate colors that match photos you upload]

• POSTER DESIGN

• The Better Posters Blog
  A blog with great tips and lots of examples, good and bad, with critique

• How to Create a Research Poster
  Basics of creating a good academic or research-focused poster from NYU

• Poster Design Tips and Techniques
  A long-form explanation of the things to consider in poster design from Colorado State

• Designing Conference Posters
  A comprehensive discussion of key elements, poster do's and don't's, ways to make your poster stand out, and much more

• Designing Professional Posters
  Helpful layout and design suggestions, and a a how-to for making good posters in Illustrator from the University of Michigan

• Designing Posters in Power Point
  Step-by-step instructions for creating a poster in Power Point

Resources:

• 1. 1. • SAKAI:

          1. 1. • Sakai Student Tutorial Videos [playlist of 9 short videos]

        • GOOGLE DRIVE

• 1. 1. • 1. 1. • Google Drive and Google Docs [playlist of 26 short YouTube videos]

        • GOOGLE DOCS

          1. 1. • How to Make a Google Doc [handout]

• How to Find & Open a Google Doc that you Created Earlier [handout]

• How to Share and Send your Google Doc [handout]

• Basic Google Docs Tutorial [10 min. video]

• Google Docs Top 10 Tasks Tutorial [9 min. video]

• Google Drive and Google Docs [playlist of 26 short YouTube videos]

• GOOGLE SLIDES

  • • • How to Create a Google Slideshow [handout]

      • Google Slides Tutorial: Getting Started & Overview [4 min. video]

      • Google Slides Tutorial: Adding Text [5 min. video]

      • Google Slides Tutorial: Formatting Images [5 min. video]

      • Google Slides Tutorial: Embedding Videos [3 min. video]

      • Google Slides Tutorial: Sharing and Presenting [3 min. video]

      • Using Speaker Notes when Presenting Online with Zoom [handout]

      • Using Speaker Notes when Presenting Online with Zoom [4 min. video]

      • Using Google Slides to Create Flyers [handout]

• American Heritage Dictionary
  Simple definitions of most words

• Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1828
  More interesting definitions of most words

• Oxford English Dictionary
  Definitions and history of all English words [requires AUEID login]

• Onelook Reverse Dictionary
  Finds words you can't remember based on what they mean

• Bartlett's Familiar Quotations
  Famous quotes compiled by Bartlett

• Encyclopedia of Psychology
  Definitions of psychological terms and concepts

• Purdue OWL
  A comprehensive guide to all aspects of grammar, writing, and research

• Critical Thinking and Academic Research
  Guidance on developing rationally sound premises from your research

• Common Errors in English Usage
  A comprehensive list of commonly confused words

• Paradigm Online Writing Assistant
  A tool for guiding yourself through the writing process

• The Writer's Diet
  Quick feedback on conciseness in a sample of your writing