For myself

Writing For Psych Recap!!

Chapter 2: Essays

6 Sections

1. Title
2. Abstract
3. Introduction
4. Body
5. Conclusion
6. References

-Abstract, Title and References MUST begin with headings

1. TITLE: brief description of main argument

-not exceed 15 words

-cover sheet must include title

-title will be placed centred at top of 1st page of main text (3rd page overall)

-omit redundant phrases

2. ABSTRACT: informative summary of essay, 120 words

-introduce topic, arguments, summarize evidence, conclusion, implications

-abstract will be placed on 2nd page, under heading: ABSTRACT

-one unidented paragraph with double line spacing

3. INTRODUCTION: introduce essay

-10% total words

-highlight significance, why your topic is important

-highlight controversy, why issue is complex

-do not imply argument is a fact (fatal error!)

-summarize argument

-signpost structure of essay (guide overall plan)

-consider definitions

-definition: arbitrary or theoretical

4. BODY: procedures, theories, ideas, arguments, criticism

-70% of words

-organise material and flow

-concise and precise, describe details of research articles

-avoid flawed arguments

-vacuous support (uninformative citations)

-vacuous dismissal of opposition (dismiss opposition based on emotions)

-misrepresentation of opposition

-avoid false dichotomy (only considering 2 options and overlooking other alternatives)

-eg "If you're not with us, you're against us." - Being neutral is not an option.

-avoid false etymology (relying on dictionary definition)

-avoid false generalization (assuming evidence can apply to different context)

-avoid false analogy (conclusion based on similar issues)

5. CONCLUSION: verify all complications to your argument have been addressed

-10% of words

-ABSTRACT vs CONCLUSION: abstract is clear to layman, conclusion assume layman has read the entire essay

6. REFERENCES: all citations

-new page

-5 letter indent (to mel standard)

Chapter 4: Referencing

-Finding information

-Understand sources of info: book, book chapter, journal

-book: written by author

-book chapter: section of edited book, updated

-journal article: original research

-reference searching: define search, books, journal, internet

-define search times

-books: recent publication, specialised

-journal articles: find from different authors, use electronic databases

-internet: search last, check reliability

-Refining search: boolean operators, search backwards in time, search forwards in time

-evaluate sources: trustworthiess, use primary sources

-Reading: read purposefully, scan material, read carefully and critically

-Taking notes: aid in remembering, ensure accurate material, ensures understanding and critical

thinking

-steps to take notes: record reference accurately, rewrite material in own words, table to

organise information, (O)=author's opinion|(C)=author cited someone|(F)=author's own research,

quotation marks

-Citation: acknowleging your source

-choose a citation type: name and parenthetical

-name citation: author is IMPORTANT or when you want to paraphrase extensively (elaboration)

-parenthetical citation: surname and year in brackets, imply author's name not that important

-name use 'AND'

-parenthetical use (name&name,year)

-secondary source citation: citing author's citation eg(Adam, 1967, as cited in Genesis, 1970)

-citating non-standard sources: personal communication

-personal communication eg(Smith, I.A., personal communication, January 1, 2006)

-Formatting citations: reader must be able to find reference in reference list for whatever you're

citing

-No author of BOOK: publication manual (2001), (publication manual, 2001)

-No author journal article/chapter: "Social Psychology", ("Social psychology", 1995)

-one author: Name (year), (name, year)

-two authors: Name 'and' name (year), (name&name, year)

-three or more: Spear, name, name and name (year), (if using again, use "et al). eg Spear et al.

(year), (name, name & name, year)

-Six or more: name, et al. (year)

-Same first author only: include as many names as necessary to distinguish'

-same authors: Roger(1950a)...Roger(1950b)... , (Roger, 1950a,b)

-Same Sirname, different person: include initials to differentiate

-translated article: specify year published and year translated eg(Kant, 1781/1965)

-No date: (name, n.d.)

-many references to same argument: several studies (Burton et al., 1977; Crovitz, 1964, 1972; Spear

et al., 1972; Spear & Gantz, 1975)

-many references and same authors: Crovitz (1964, 1972), (Crovitz, 1964, 1972)

-Summarizing, Paraphrasing, Quoting: summarize essense in as few words as possible, paraphrase to provide more detail, quote to discuss exact words of author.

-Formatting Quotes: ensure quote flow smoothly to sentence

-use ""

-specify page number

-page number in brackets (after quote)

-Embedded quotation

-place [sic] for any spelling error in original quote

-italicise important words, add [italics added]

-insert material to clarify quote by adding [eg. only]

-single quotation marks '...' for quote within quote

-use ellipsis to omit (...)

-Block Quotation: 40 or more words

-begin quote in next line after text, and resuming text on next line after quote

-indent all lines of quote by 8 characters (left and right)

-no need to use double quoation mark

-Referencing: author's names; publication date in brackets, title of reference, information about

specific edition in brackets, publication data, (for e-reference) exact date reference retrieved

with URL.

-Reference to Books: Author, I.N. (year,(month, date)) Book title italicised. Place of publication:

publisher. [retrieved month, date, year]

-eg Lab (2011, February 12). The Difficulty Of Psychology (italicised). Singapore: JE publication.

-For Ebook, Lab (2011, June 17). What is life(italicised). Singapore: JE publication. Retrieved

February 12, 2012), from http://www.kvlttrve.blogspot.com

-References to Book Chapters: Author, I.N. (year, month, date). Chapter title. In A.N. Editor (Ed.),

Book title (italicised) (edition), (pp start-finish page), place of publication: publisher

(retrieved month, date, year)

-References to Journal Articles: Author, I.N.(year, months, date). Article title. Journal title

(italicised & capitalised. volume number italicised). Start-finish page. [retrieved month, date,

year]

-Authors: Surname, I. N.

-Seperate initial with one space.

-Seperate names of authors with comma.

-2-6 author place &.

-more than 6 place et al.

*for EDITOR (not author), reverse: I. N. Surname

-place (Ed.) or (Eds.)

-Publication date

-year of publication in bracket and fullstop

-specify most recent copyright year

-translation specify year translated

-no year: n.d.

-specify month and date

-Title

-exact title

-capitalise first letter of title or books, journal articles, book chapters

-italicise book title and journal title

-end with full stop

-Reference list

-same surname, arrange according to initial

-first author of two reference the same, arrange according to second author

-author of two reference same, arrange according to year.

-author, year same, according to title

*vertically in alphabetical, horizontally no.