Writing Resources & Tips
Whether you are getting started with writing a paper or a pro at writing, there is always something new to learn! Check out the resources below to learn more about essay structure, in text citations, and plagiarism.
Essay Structure
A standard essay has a minimum of four to five paragraphs. They consist of an introductory paragraph, a body (usually 2-3 paragraphs), and a concluding paragraph.
Introduction - Grab the reader’s attention and introduce the topic/writing prompt you will be addressing in your essay. You may also provide background information on the topic.
Body Paragraphs – Provide details to support the main idea(s) in your introduction. The number of ideas/points you make depends on the essay question.
Conclusion – Summarize/circle back to the main idea(s) stated in the introductory paragraph.
Creating References in APA Format
What is Plagiarism?
Is the practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own without proper citations or credit to the author. You may not copy and paste directly from a website and submit it as your own work. If you are found plagiarizing, you will be in direct violation of our school policy and may result in dismissal from our school. You can avoid plagiarism by giving credit to the true author in an in-text citation and references page.
In-Text Citations
In-text citations are required in the body of the essay and correspond to the sources listed on the reference page. They belong at the end of your sentence but before the period. Use the following format when directly quoting or paraphrasing a source.
If an author is provided:
(Author's Last Name, date)
e.g. (Martin, 2020)
If an author is NOT provided:
(Title, date)
e.g. (Writing Resources, 2020)
Direct quote example:
"In-text citations are required in the body of the essay and correspond to the sources listed on the reference page" (Writing Resources, 2020).
Writing Resources (2020) states, "In-text citations are required in the body of the essay and correspond to the sources listed on the reference page".
Paraphrase example:
The use of in-text citations in the body of an essay corresponds to the information listed on the reference page (Writing Resources, 2020).
The Reference Page
Every essay that uses outside sources needs a Reference Page. This is where the sources that were used are listed in more detail. Each source should be listed in a special format:
Author Last Name, First Initial. (Date). Title of the Article/Page. Web Address
e.g. Martin, K. (2020). Writing Resources. www.excelhighschool.com
If no author is listed, begin with the title and format as follows:
Title of the Article/Page. (Date). Web Address
Writing Resources. (2020). www.excelhighschool.com
References need to be retrieved from public websites (do not use websites that require usernames/passwords). Wikipedia cannot be listed as one of the sources.
Try Scribbr!
You can us Scribbr for help formatting your sources:
Click Citation Tools
Choose APA Citation Generator from the drop-down menu
Check out the Excel Education Systems Writing Lab
This resource lab focuses on all things writing! It goes over topics such as the writing process, introductions and conclusions, literary analysis, and expository writing. This is your go-to for all of your papers in your courses. Check it out below!
