I have observed that many students become concerned over the level and number of grammatical/APA format comments provided in feedback to assignments (sometimes resulting in reduction of topical comments). However, the style and presentation of student work is very important in order to effectively communicate, especially at the graduate level (communication is an integral Program Outcome for many graduate degrees). Avoiding such writing missteps provides instructors significantly more opportunity to focus on providing essential topical content suggestions and guidance. In turn, the focus of student writing will improve and receive more thorough and applicable topical and content suggestions from faculty.
The following resources contain excellent guidance and insight regarding citation use, APA formatting, and development of materials:
APA Figure and Table Captions: http://library.nmu.edu/guides/userguides/apacitingtables.htm
APA In-Text Citations and Support of Writing:
- http://blog.apastyle.org/apastyle/2011/01/writing-in-text-citations-in-apa-style.html
- http://www.york.ac.uk/integrity/downloads/15782_APA-webFINAL.pdf
APA Reference List:
Tone of Writing (Formal, Informal, Narrative; graduate academic work typically requires formal tone):
- http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/Documents/Tone_Final.pdf
- http://libguides.usc.edu/content.php?pid=83009&sid=645284
Reference Credibility (Source of appropriate references, especially peer-reviewed work):
- http://www.adelaide.edu.au/writingcentre/learning_guides/learningGuide_sourceCredibility.pdf
- http://www.louis-hoffman-virtualclassroom.com/psychology%20resources/writing%20resources/determining_scholarly_resources.htm
- http://www.csuchico.edu/lins/handouts/scholarly.pdf
By receiving and properly responding to such mentoring, guidance, and feedback throughout graduate program courses, students will be better prepared for the challenges awaiting them in both their capstone/thesis projects and professional careers. Many graduate courses feature major projects designed to replicate conditions, elements, and topics consistent with responsibilities and activities performed in their respective field or industry (e.g., research, analysis, comparison, requirements derivation, and development of well supported recommendations and conclusions). The experiences students gain in successful completion of such work has the potential to provide improved insight and understanding of how to appropriately undertake such challenges, while also exhibiting supporting evidence and findings in a manner that demonstrates their professionalism and capability as eventual graduates. As a faculty member and program chair of a graduate degree program, I am a stakeholder in student educational and experiential growth. Their success in the classroom and related professional endeavors is also my success as an educator, mentor, and collaborator in this rapidly growing and evolving online educational environment.
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