Freshman Composition: Formatting

Formatting

Basics of Formatting

Formatting and Structure for Assignments

Before you can format your work correctly, there are some key points you must know first.

What formatting style does your instructor expect you to use: MLA, APA, Turabian?

Do you need a Title page?

How many sources and source-types do you need?

What is the structure for your final version?

a. Abstract?

b. Works Cited Page?

c. Outline re-submission at the enc of the final version of the essay?

Once you know these things—which you can probably locate in the writing prompt—you will need to understand what is expected for the specific assignment.

1. Are you writing an essay? If so, what kind? (Each type follows a different format.)

a. Process

b. Classification

c. Narration

i. Personal Experience

d. Expository

i. Cause and Effect

ii. Report

e. Argument

i. Persuasion

ii. Analysis

2. Are you writing a paragraph?

a. Does it need to follow a specific format and structure?

3. Are you writing a Reflection?

a. Will it be in 1^st, 2^nd, or 3^rd person voice?

b. How many paragraphs will it need?

c. What format and structure should it follow?

4. Are you writing a Technical Document?

a. Letter

b. Email

c. Report

d. Memo

e. Resume

f. Writing Portfolio, etc.

Each of these concepts is essential to creating the assignment your instructor is looking for in your submission. Keep in mind that the point of an assignment is to see what you know or what you have learned. Therefore, be sure to use information from your textbook—whenever possible—to provide the most content your instructor will be looking for. After all, you were assigned readings for a purpose—content comprehension—and your assignment is simply the way your instructor will be able to determine if you have learned the necessary materials for that given section of the class.

Review these Links for Help with the Assignment

Knowing Your Assignment

Understanding Assignments

Page Organization

Source Usage