EUH 2000.05 Writing Tips

Darty EUH 2000.05 Writing Tips

Document all information and sources used. This is essential for your paper. If you write "At least 90 percent of all Native Americans died from disease after contact," you must document the source of that information. Should you have a paragraph filled with similar information (concerning Native American casualties), you do not have to provide documentation after each sentence. However, at the end of the paragraph you must have a citation indicating your source(s) of information.

Quotations, however, must be documented differently. If you use a quotation in your paper, you should document its source at the quote's conclusion. The proper format for a quotation is as follows: According to the authors of Out of Many, the Native Americans "continued to assert a proud independence and gained considerable skill at playing colonial powers off against each other." superscript footnote or endnote after quotation mark. If you choose to quote from the beginning or middle of a sentence and do not include the parts of the sentence, you must substitute those words an ellipses, or a series of three dots with one space between each dot that indicate an omission of words. Current versions of Microsoft Word will do this spacing automatically when you hit the period key three times in succession.

Always include a Bibliography page. This is mandatory for your paper and references. I suggest developing this as you go--document in proper format all sources you research on this topic and it will save you a lot of time.

When first introducing a past or present historical figure, always use his or her complete name. All subsequent references to the person should feature his or her last name (do not include titles like Gen. or Rev. or Mr. or Mrs.). You may repeat any individual's complete name, but this should be done sparingly (complete name repetition is usually reserved for one's conclusion).

When referring to historical events or historical figures who are no longer living, always use the past tense. It is odd to come across a sentence that reads: "The 1730s are a time of sweeping religious revivals in America" because the 1730s are long past. The correct composition would use "were" instead of "are". Likewise, you would not state that: "George Whitefield is a preacher in the Great Awakening," but rather that he "was a preacher in the Great Awakening."

Books, however, use a different set of rules. For example, it would be correct to write: In The American People, Nash and the other authors spend much time discussing the multicultural backgrounds of America. This is the reason that books (unlike historical events) always exist in the present. If you are a bit confused about these rules (they are rather complicated), please consult me personally or send me an email message. Reference and style manuals are also helpful on writing style and language.

Avoid slang usage. Remember, you are composing formal, college-level papers, not refrigerator notes. While writing, you need to be constantly aware of your word selection (writing at two o'clock in the morning is not very conducive to this practice). By paying close attention to what you are writing, you stand a far better chance of identifying slang words (such as "kids") and replacing them with more appropriate words (such as "children").

Avoid robot-like repetition of the same word or phrase. Find a synonym and broaden your vocabulary.

Pay attention to paragraph structure. Attempt to have each paragraph put forward a central idea. Avoid overly long or overly short paragraphs. Try to make smooth transitions from one paragraph to another. Don't shift verb tense in a paragraph unless the shift serves some purpose.

Shun long, convoluted sentences. Vary sentence structure. Emphasize the active voice--and employ the passive sparingly.

Avoid contractions. It is simply understood that college-level papers should be free of contractions (unless they are contained in a quotation). In our hyperkinetic world, contractions often seem entirely appropriate, but the goal of a well-written essay is clarity not speed. So when you feel the overwhelming need to write "didn't"--take a breath, stretch your fingers, and write "did not" instead.

Eliminate unnecessary words. This can be difficult, especially if a sentence looks acceptable. Reading one's sentences aloud often helps identify extraneous words and phrases. For example, the sentence "The reason that the Native Americans died off was decimation from disease" seems adequate. However, by removing the words "that the" we have a more concise sentence. Another example of an overburdened sentence is: "George Whitefield, being a preacher in the Great Awakening, stirred American's religious feelings. The word "being" is unnecessary and removing it makes the sentence clearer and easier to read.

Finally, and most importantly, always strive to use clear, concise language. When writing a sentence, read it aloud to yourself to ensure it is understandable. If you still have doubts, read it to a friend and ask his or her opinion. If you find writing difficult, that makes sense. Writing is difficult. There is absolutely nothing wrong with using simple sentences to express your thoughts. Always remember, one writes to be understood.