Wondering about APA? Here are a few tips.

If you were unable to make it to the APA workshop on Wednesday, you can feel free to stop by 1015C (10th Floor, 726 Broadway) to obtain copies of the PowerPoint and handouts from the session. Many attendees found the session to be very helpful and enjoyed Karen Roush, NYUCN PhD student and Clinical Managing Editor of the American Journal of Nursing. Courtesy of Karen, a few tips to help you stay on track when writing an APA paper are included below.

General Reminders

• Be sure that your writing is clear and concise. Avoid the use of jargon, which is not easily understood by people outside of your discipline.
•  Use straightforward language and maintain your active voice while writing. Be simple and direct to avoid confusion.
• It is ok to use personal pronouns when attributing an action to something you, and/or your team did.

When using abbreviations

• Spell out acronyms the first time you use them. 
• Try to avoid both overuse and underuse of abbreviations. 
• abbreviations such as i.e., vs., e.g., etc., should only be used in parentheses.

What is Plagiarism?

• Avoid adding things to your paper that are taken word-for-word from a source. You cannot include information that is not original thought unless credit is given to the author.
• You never want to misappropriate thoughts and ideas
• Avoid cutting and pasting directly, be careful with quoting, and try to ensure that when referring to source material you are not following to closely to the structure and ideas of the original work.

The above are some general things to consider when writing an APA paper for a course.There is always more to know and it is best to ask your professor or a trusted source if you are unsure such as the APA Style Manual.

The information above was provided for the APA Writing Style Workshop by The Scholar's Voice, www.thescholarsvoice.com. Questions about the Scholar's Voice can be directed to Karen Roush directly. Email a member of the Advising Staff for more details.