A Handbook for Writing Formal Papers takes the student through the writing process step by step in language that is succinct and to the point. Consistent with APA format and style, the Handbook is appropriate for any graduate or undergraduate course in education or psychology requiring the development of a formal literature review or a research study. However, it has broader applications both within and beyond the academic setting, including in any business or organization requiring the preparation of reports, documents, and other pieces of formal writing.

Each step in the writing process is carefully and clearly explained beginning with a five-step sequence: define, describe, detail, discuss, and determine. Following this, each section of the paper is delineated, from the title page and the abstract to the bibliography and appendixes. The process of completing the formal paper or research study is addressed in a section on conventions of formal writing. Included in the text are checklists for writers and substantive ancillary material. Students who have used the Handbook have unanimously praised it for helping them organize, write, and complete their work.

Features

• Preface contains an overview of the writing process, including the five-step sequence define, describe, detail, discuss, and determine.
• Each section of a paper — including title page, table of contents, abstract, introduction, review of literature, method, results, discussion, and references — is presented with explanations of how to prepare it and why it is needed.
• Checklists for each section allow students to self-check, and can be used in conjunction with conferences with the instructor.
• Includes alphabetical listing of common errors in formal writing and how to correct them.
• Six appendixes contain checklists, suggested scoring rubrics, an evaluation guide for instructors or supervisors, a suggested format for oral presentation of the paper or study, common reference forms, and how to prepare a survey or questionnaire.
• Glossary defines basic terms students encounter in the writing process.