Why are there different documentation styles

This is particularly true when citing content from the Internet. Understanding how to properly reference and cite source materials adds power to any student paper, because the papers can be used to show a proper understanding and blending of source ideas - a critical concept in higher learning. Many of my students might complain about it, but the ones that succeed are the ones who are actively trying to use citing resources to their own argument's advantage.

Margaret Walters of Kennesaw State University , where she and her students have used primarily MLA guidelines in their writing, editing and literature classes. Walters has taught a variety of undergraduate and graduate level writing courses at Kennesaw State University for over 15 years. Walters said, "The most common problems I see with MLA style occur in the writing, meaning the text itself, not the bibliography or Works Cited In the text, the most common problems are:.

Walters states. If they use the resources offered, most students are not going to struggle to meet the guidelines. Both Dr. Walters and Professor Long advise students to use strong and verifiable resources to make your formatting job easier.

The writing center at your own university may hold lots of great information and people to help you understand what to do in each situation you face. Not every situation calls for the same style guide, so checking with the experts on your campus is always a smart idea. The reality is, depending on your discipline, there may be only one type of style that you need to use, ever. Garson Editor ; Anne M.

New York: MLA , for additional help. MLA Sample Paper, 8th edition. For additional examples and advice, consult the Publication of Manual of the American Psychological Association, 7th edition CSE Sample Paper. ACS Quick Guide. AP Style Quick Guide. Chicago Style Citation Quick Guide. Turabian Quick Guide. Council of Science - Homepage. AP Style Quiz. Subjects: Research Help , Writing Center. Tags: esl , reseach , tutoring , writing. Circle, highlight, underline : Select one method to mark all the corrections you want to make.

You might choose to circle, underline, or highlight all errors you find. Check off each circle, highlight, or underline when you make the correction in the electronic document. Check marks and checkboxes : Some writers make a check mark in the margin for every error they find in a line of typing, then put a slash through the check mark once it is corrected. You can also make checkboxes and then check the box once the correction is made. If so, feel free to use those.