CommonMistakesPapersCombinedcg

Common Issues Checklist
GUMS and Formatting
Use Times New Roman, 12-pt. font, double-spaced.
Include numeric page numbers at the top right of each page starting with page 2.
Include concise “snappy” title that reflects your paper’s topic and thesis.
¶= First line of each paragraph must be indented five spaces (use Tab key).
Use a summarizing topic sentence to begin each paragraph. It acts like a mini-thesis. Break up each central idea into a single paragraph and support with evidence.
In formal academic writing use “such as” rather than “like” (informal)
Spell out acronyms on first reference, and thereafter use the acronym with no parentheses. For example, George Washington University (GWU).
Avoid run-on sentences that contain a jumble of ideas. Stick to 20 words or less.
Awk = awkward phrase; unclear = does not make sense in English.
(Sp) = spelling mistake; proofread your papers carefully and use spellcheck.
Keep verb tenses parallel.
Sentence fragment = not a complete sentence in English.
U se the “M-dash” (two small dashes --) for emphasis. Pressing the return key after two short dashes converts the two dashes into one long dash. For example, Use only one transition word or phrase at the beginning of a sentence—not two.
Include transliteration of foreign words, not just the foreign word in Chinese, Japanese or Korean characters. When including transliterations, italicize the foreign word and then
put the foreign word in parentheses if it is Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Sanskrit etc., e.g. gaokao (高考).
If you use Wikipedia to fill in gaps in your background knowledge, you must read/cite
the original source. Download from GW database. You shouldn’t cite directly from Wikipedia since anyone can edit a Wikipedia page.
Spell out United States when used as the country noun; abbreviate it (U.S.) when used as an adjective, e.g. He lives in the United States. He is a U.S. citizen.
Introduce sources, e.g. “According to Storti, Americans tend to be direct.”
Spell out numbers one-nine. Use numerals for 10 and above.
Documentation
All copied text, including text that has been cut-and-pasted from the Internet must be enclosed within quotation marks and properly cited.
In-text citations must be placed inside the sentence/period.
With in-text citations, author last name comes first, followed by page number.
Use block quote format for 40 words or more. (See OWL purdue)
In-text citation: (abbreviated reference that should be in the References section) References: (complete reference of your abbreviated in-text citation/source) Reference (year comes directly after the author’s name.
Every source in your paper must have a full reference in the References section.
Final paper must include a References section for APA style. (hanging indent)
References must appear in bold and centered before your list of references.
When paraphrasing you must attribute ideas to sources and cite them unless information is common knowledge and/or you are relying on your own personal insights. If you’re relying on personal insights, make that clear to the reader by using the first person, “I” (or “We” if collaborating).
NOTE: Reference librarians are experts in citation styles and are available to assist students. Or check with OWL Purdue Online Writing Lab and/or course handouts on Bb. You may also work with a GW writing tutor for help with references, organization or to help recognize your common error patterns. Tutors appreciate it when you bring a hard paper copy of your essay.。