Standard Formatting of a College Paper

Note: These pages provide standard formatting for most college papers. Even so, be sure to pay attention when this instructor provides alternative directions for a specific assignment. Not all assignments will require all the components outlined below. Be sure to ask your instructor for clarification and guidance as often as you wish.

Look of Page

· Font (10-12 cpi)

· Margins (1") Measure for 1" margins; no, this is not the computer default).

· Spacing (double)

· Color (black or blue).

o In an emergency, any dark, legible color will be acceptable.

Title Page (optional)

• Page number and running head : in the upper right-hand corner of each page, include a 1-2 word version of your title. Follow with five spaces and then the page number.
• Example: The ESL Classroom     1
• Example: "Volunteer Organizations     1 (use i, not 1, if Table of Contents or other organizational pages are included).
• Title : Beginning at 8 lines below the running head, type the title, using capitalization rules.
• Center the title.
• Titles in a normal font size, not bolded
• Use capitalization rules (Capitalization is not the same as ALL CAPS).
  Example: The ESL Classroom at Everett Community College
• Example: Volunteer Organizations in American Society
• Subtitle: The subtitle is not required, but if included follow the same formating as the title, but remember, do NOT use a colon after the title to separate it from the subtitle. Instead, double space between the title and the subtitle..
• Example: Struggles and Triumphs of a Multiethnic Immigrant Community
• Example: An Anthropological Analysis of Literacy Programs
• Your full name should appear next.
• Avoid using 'By Your Name' or 'For My Name' on your cover page or in the header.
• Optional: the name of the instructor, the class designation, and the date.
• The name of your class and time should come next.
• The name of your instructor after that.
• The date of submission is last.
• The numbering of the title is typed as page 1 (if not Table of Contents are used) or as i if a TOC in included..

Headers

• Insert a header with your running head and page number on each page in the upper right corner (The ESL Classroom 1, etc.).
• Do use a running header for the first page of the manuscript (as discussed above).

Table of Contents (optional, required for Anthr 202D students)

• This is optional, unless you decide to use subheadings.
• With subheadings, the Table of Contents is required.
• Be sure to label the page and to include page numbers for each section.
• The numbering of the Table of Contents is with the use of Roman numerals (i, etc.)
• I urge you to use this organizational tool, more clearly you present your materials, the easier it is to grade.

List of Tables and/or List of Figures (required)

• If original work, list only in a List of Tables or a List of Figures, which page directly follows the Table of Contents.
• If used with permission, indicate this in the caption and provide reference if applicable.
• If the table or figure are original to author, no comment is needed in the in-text captions
• The numbering of the Table of Contents is with the use of Roman numerals (i, etc.)

In-Text Formatting

• Long quotes:

o Long quotes are single-spaced and indented 5 spaces.

o Use quote marks at start and end of the quote.

o Include author’s name, year of publication and page(s).

• Photos (this applies to all types of visual representations)

o Include the Photo # and a caption underneath the photo (Photo 1: The Entrance to Rainer Hall, Everett Community College).

o Be sure to refer to the photo in the text of the paper, otherwise it is just window-dressing.

• Do not simply put the full references into the document as a cut and paste. Instead:
  • In-text citation format:
    • See APA Citation Guide.
    • Avoid the use of honorifics such as Mr., Mrs., Dr., unless this is an expectation of the cultural group being presented.
    • At most (and rarely) use an author's first name in an academic paper ONCE.
    • Unless there is something unique or special, do not use the title of the reference in the text of the paper.

Appendices (optional)

• Each appendix should be properly labeled in the same manner as a photo, etc. (Appendix A: Slang Used by EvCC Students).
• Each appendix is then labeled in sequence and given a caption.

References (Also called citations or sources)

• You MUST use APA Citation Style, no exceptions. I grade down on wrong format.

• The References section should list only the sources cited in the text of the paper, not all sources reviewed..
• Alphabetize the references by the Last Name of the 1^st author
• If the original source has a format different from AAA, change it to be consistent with the look of AAA (that is the whole purpose of having a standard citation format).
• Treat interviews and personal communications in the correct reference style
• If you place a photo in a paper or a flyer, type a photo credit

Miscellaneous

• Foreign words in italics.
• Do not abbreviate titles, captions or similar data
• Pseudonyms

o Unless the person is a public official or has asked to be identified, use pseudonyms

o The first time the person is identified in the text, place single quotation marks

o around the name, afterward do not do so (‘John Doe’).This practice may also be appropriate when naming the locale of the fieldwork.