Writing Clearly & Citing
According to the American Psychological Association (2010), “the prime objective of scientific reporting is clear communication” (p. 65) and presenting essential elements of your research in a clear and orderly manner.
Another important element of academic writing is crediting the sources you use. To avoid plagiarism, never present the work of others as if it were your own and keeping track of sources is also key. To properly credit sources, include in-text citations and reference entries for any ideas that influenced your work and any paraphrased text or direct quotes that you include. (American Psychological Association, 2010).
Consult the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association 6th ed., commonly called the APA style guide, to check citing requirements. A copy of the APA style guide is available near the Research Desk, located on the main floor of the Hitt Library (main campus). The guide provides general writing guidelines and examples of formatting for in-text citations and references based on the type of content you are citing.
Online APA resources:
Writing Resources
The following writing resources are available in print at the Hitt library (main campus) and ebooks are available through the UCF Libraries online catalog.
Books at the Hitt Library (see call number for location):
Wang, G.T., & Park, K. (2016). Student research and report writing: From topic selection to the complete paper. Malden, MA: Wiley Blackwell. Call Number: LB 2369.W269 2016
Winkler, A.C., & McCuen-Metherrell, J.R. (2012). Writing the research paper: A handbook. Boston, MA: Thomson Wadsworth. Call Number: LB 2369.W55 2012
Winkler, A.C., & McCuen, J.R. (2000). Writing the research paper: Pocket guide. Fort Worth, TX: Harcourt College Publishers. Call Number: LB2369.W5617 2000
Wyse, D., & Cowan, K. (2017). The good writing guide for Education students. Los Angeles: SAGE Publications Ltd.
Call Number: LB 2369.W97 2017
E-books available online through the Hitt Library:
Hall, G.M. (2012). How to write a paper (5th ed.). Retrieved from
http://ezproxy.library.ucf.edu/login?url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/book/10.1002/9781118488713
Murray, N., & Hughes, G. (2008). Writing up your university assignments and research projects. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.library.ucf.edu/login?url=https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ucf/detail.action?docID=345139
Reardon, D.F. (2006) Writing the project report: Doing your undergraduate project. Retrieved from
http://ezproxy.library.ucf.edu/login?url=http://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781849209076.n10
Thody, A. ( ) Writing and presenting research. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.library.ucf.edu/login?url=http://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9780857020307
Thomas, D.R., & Hodges, I.D. (2010). Writing a research report: Organization and presentation. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.library.ucf.edu/login?url=http://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781446289044.n13
UCF University Writing Center http://uwc.cah.ucf.edu/students/
For help with the mechanics of writing, such as grammar and punctuation or the clarity of your writing, take advantage of the assistance offered by consultants at the UCF Writing Center.
References
American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.