APA Writing Style Resources

The disciplines of Business and Economics are considered social sciences. The customary writing style format of social sciences is guided by the American Psychological Association (APA). All written papers for my classes are expected to be styled to APA standards.

  • You may purchase a 5th Edition APA Publication Manual in the campus bookstore. These are always handy for quick reference. The cost is around $33 a copy.

  • You may opt to use APA formatting software. There are numerous software titles available online, but my two favorites are StyleEase and EndNotes.

  •  The StyleEase web site can be located at: . The cost is $35 for dowwnload and $40 for a CD or $45  for both a downloaded and CD version combination. It comes in both MAC and PC Windows versions.

  • You may also opt to use the APA version of  EndNote logo. EndNote has a MAC version as well as a PC Windows version.

  • There are also many free APA resources online. Many of these sites are associated with other universities. Some of my favorites are:   

    The University of Wisconsin-Madison has an excellent writer's handbook.

    U of WI at M  

    The Landmark Project's "Citation Machine" - also available through the Logan Library. This machine makes APA or MLA citation WAY easy! No excuses for APA or MLA errors in your paper when you use this sweet tool.

     Citation Engine

    Rapidcite.com is another free "citation machine" that will export to a MS Word document for incorporation into your Works Cited references page in APA, MLA, or Chicago styles.

Plagiarism

  • So, you think you know what plagiarism REALLY is? Take the Indiana University plagiarism test and see how much you truly know about plagiarism (and learn how to avoid committing plagiarism yourself!)  Be sure to print out a copy of your test score on this plagiarism exercise and turn it in to me during the first week of the semester for credit!

       Plagiarism Test

Editing Your Work

  • Be sure to do a final edit of your work before submitting it for grading. Lots of grade points are lost unnecessarily due to simple errors that are avoidable. A good technique is to have a friend or fellow student read your paper for errors. They often find errors you've overlooked. Oh, and DON'T depend on your computer software's spelling checker to save you...as defined by Janet Minor's poem....

I have a spelling checker
It came with my PC;
It plainly marks four my revue
Mistakes I cannot sea.
I've run this poem threw it,
I'm sure your pleased too no,
Its letter perfect in it's weigh,
My checker tolled me sew.
- Janet Minor