Writing Tips: Proper Language Usage for Academic Writing, Papers of Introduction to Sociology

Download Writing Tips: Proper Language Usage for Academic Writing and more Papers Introduction to Sociology in PDF only on Docsity! Writing Tips Handout Tip #1: Don’t use CONTRACTIONS Bad: The research didn’t indicate that watching violent television programming caused violent behavior in children. Good: The research did not indicate that watching violent television programming caused violent behavior in children. Tip #2: Do NOT use SLANG or COLLOQUIAL phrases Bad: My internship was hella useful in providing valuable job experience. Good: The internship was very useful in providing valuable job experience. Tip #3: TOPIC SENTENCES—topic sentences need to summarize the main idea or theme of the paragraph. Every paragraph should have a topic sentence. Topic sentences are located as the first sentence of a paragraph. Bad: Ross, Smith, and Barney (2004) demonstrated that violent TV programming caused at-risk behavior in children. Furthermore, the research indicated that children were more likely to strike their siblings after watching programs such as Pokemon or Yu-Gi-Oh (Ross, Smith, and Barney, 2004). Good: At-risk behavior in children is influenced by a variety of sources such as television. Ross, Smith, and Barney (2004) demonstrated that violent TV programming caused at-risk behavior in children. Furthermore, the research indicated that children were more likely to strike their siblings after watching programs such as Pokemon or Yu- Gi-Oh (Ross, Smith, and Barney, 2004). Tip #4: NO Use of PERSONAL PRONOUNS (I, you, we, us, me) * “I” can only be used in Analysis of Experience (Soc Sci 194/97) or Campus Resources (Soc Sci 189)* Bad: Mr. Smith told me that the majority of interns enjoy sales and marketing at Merril Lynch. Good: Mr. Smith indicated that the majority of interns enjoy sales and marketing at Merril Lynch. Tip #5: Do NOT use VAGUE/BASIC LANGUAGE Bad: Overall, the internship experience was very nice.