Writing Assignments

1
Writing Assignments

• The first writing assignment is due
• June 25

2
The Paper

• Report on a print or web article about health
  conditions or research findings.
• No more that 5 years old
• NO health care fact sheets and brochures, sales
  literature, newspaper advice columns, or reworded
  encyclopaedia or textbook information
• The report must actually address the article.

3
The Paper cont.

• The source article should EXPAND knowledge from
  the textbook and class notes, not repeat it.
• Also, do not write on the physiology of microbes
  or the chemistry of drugsthis is A P class

4
Sources

• Sources must have apparent medical expertise.
• e.g. doctors, nurses, therapists, health
  journalists, or an established health information
  resource.
• i.e. NOT testimonials, bizarre therapies, and
  baseless theories.
• If in question about the source or author, look
  them up on the internet
• A bio should contain credentials and any
  accomplishments.

5
The Article

• The report must be taken from ONE source article
  of at least 750 words.
• This is so you have enough material to do your
  paper
• It must be on a topic discussed in the semester
  of AP
• Check the syllabus for the chapters we cover
• Chapters 1-12
• You may find the article though an online source

6
Online Sources

• Articles should resemble magazine or newspaper
  articles.

• Good Examples
• Google News
• Yahoo News
• Newspaper Websites
• Magazine Websites

• Do Not Use!
• Web MD
• Wikipedia
• Any general information articles of this nature

7
The Article cont.

• Bring your articles to me for approval.
• I will generally have them back to you by the
  next class.
• If you find the article online, you can e-mail me
  the link for a faster return.
• All information reported must come from the
  content of this single article, nothing else.

8
Style

• This is merely a report, a simple summary of
  information.
• It is not a research paper. It is not a
  commentary or opinion paper.
• No added pictures, table, etc. are needed.
• Remember to spelling/grammar check!
• No cover sheets or binders.
• At top of page, type your name, title of report,
  and Instructors Name.

9
Style Cont.

• Must be a summary of the article in your own
  words.
• Do not plagiarise.
• Any string of text longer than three words taken
  directly from a source is plagiarism
• Scientific terms do not count (i.e amino-acid
  chain)
• Do not use quotes.
• Formal writing style
• No contractions
• No first person perspective
• No abbreviations

10
Style cont.

• Do not list or outline.
• Write in complete sentences in paragraphs only.
• If you have a question about style e-mail me of
  check an online style guide
• ambanker_at_southwest.tn.edu
• Links at the end of the presentation

11
Specifications

• It must be at least 250 words of text but not
  more than 500
• You can use the word counter in Word or Word
  Perfect.
• No filler sentences to increase word count.
• Do NOT count your name, title, and personal
  comments, just the objective text of the report.
  
• If you want to comment, after 250 words of
  objective reporting, you may draw a line and add
  personal comments below it.

12
Specifications cont.

• New Times Roman or Arial font
• I inch margins all around
• Remember to go in and change the side margins
• Use a ruler to check if you have never had margin
  requirements on papers before or if it is a new
  printer
• 12 point font
• Double spaced

13
Specifications cont.

• A copy of the article must be STAPLED to the back
  of the report.
• I will read it.
• If the report does not obviously match the
  article, you will get a ZERO.

14
Due Dates and Penalties

• Each report has a due date that must be met even
  if you are absent that day. They may be turned
  in early, of course.
• Reports that do not meet the minimum requirements
  will be turned back to correct.
• In emergency circumstances I will accept papers
  through e-mail
• When late or in need of correction, reports lose
  1 point per class period beyond the due date.

15
Links

• APA guidelines
• http//www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/DocAPA.html
• Another formatting website. With APA and MLA
• http//www.people.memphis.edu/prpalmer/