Every class at New London High School will rely on the following guidelines for consistency. All homework, projects, essays, etc. will be expected to follow the guidelines listed. 4. Personal titles and names of people and places. Miss Franks Dr. Jose F. Ortez San Diego

First and Last Name Date [Assignment (as determined by each teacher)]

Always begin every sentence with a capital letter. Always end every sentence with the proper punctuation mark. Always avoid run-on sentences and sentence fragments. Always accept the fact that you must use the right form of the word except. OF is not a verb. It is not could of, if is could have. Always use the proper form of “there,” “their,” and “they’re.” Always use proper forms of “whose” (possession) and “who’s” (contraction: who is/was/has). Always remember that “a lot” is always two words, and it is often “a lot” better if you can use a different phrase and be even more descriptive about how much is in “a lot.” Always remember, “it’s” is a contraction of “it is.” “Its” is used to show possession. Always remember that “you’re” is a contraction for “you are” and “your” is to be used when showing possession of an object. Until “til” becomes a preposition use “until.” Always use formal English when writing your assignments…no textspeak.

Capitalize:

1. The first word of every sentence and the first word of every complete direct quotation. Do not capitalize fragments of quotations or a quotation resumed within a sentence. She said, “Hard work is necessary for success.” He stressed the importance of “a sense of values.” “When all else fails,” he said, “follow directions.” 2. First, last, and all other words in titles of books, articles, periodicals, headings, and plays, except words of four or fewer letters used as articles, conjunctions, or prepositions. The Sound and the Fury “How to Buy a House” Saturday Review “The Sound of Music” 3. An official title when it precedes a name or when used elsewhere if it is a title of distinction. President Lincoln She is the Prime Minister The doctor is in. He is the class treasurer.

5. All proper nouns and their derivatives. America American Festival Italy Italian food 6. Days of the week, months of the year, holidays, periods of history, and historic events. Sunday Labor Day New Year’s Day June Middle Ages Civil War 7. Geographic regions, localities, and names. the North Upstate New York Mississippi River 8. Street, avenue, company, etc., when used with a proper noun. Fifth Avenue Avenue of the Stars Armour & Co. 9. Names of organizations, clubs, and buildings. Girl Scouts 4-H Club National Honor Society

Use words for:

1. Spell out numbers between one and one hundred. Use figures for numbers that require more than two words to spell out. Was the order for four or eight books? There are between ninety-eight and 108 people registered. The school ordered 3,021 pencils. 2. A number beginning a sentence. Two hundred and twenty persons were invited; 115 did not attend. 3. When one number immediately follows another, spell out one and use figures for the other. Three 100-meter events 25 four-poster beds 4. Isolated fractions or indefinite amounts in a sentence. Nearly two-thirds of the students are here. About twenty-five people came to the meeting.

Use numbers for:

1. Dates, times, addresses, percentages, fractions, decimals, scores, statistics, surveys, exact amounts of money, divisions of books, divisions of plays, identification numbers, except in very formal writing. May 9, 2011 10:15 a.m. .75 $2302.56 #875209 2/3 ninth of (formal) four o’clock (formal)

2. Definite numbers used with the percent sign (%); but spell out approximate amounts. Spell out percent when approximations in formal writing. The rate is 15 ½%. About fifty percent of the work is done.

4. To separate two or more parallel adjectives (adjectives that could be separated by the word “and” instead of the comma). a group of young, old, and middle-aged persons Do not use commas to separate adjectives so closely related that they appear to form a single element with the noun they modify. a dozen large red roses a small square box

Use an apostrophe:

1. As a symbol to indicate the omission of letters or figures (as in contractions). can‟t wouldn‟t Spirit of „76

5. To separate (a) unrelated groups of figures which come together and (b) whole numbers into groups of three digits each. During 1997, 10,750 cars were insured.

2. To form the plural of most numbers and letters when used as nouns. 6‟s A’s five‟s ABC‟s 3. To show possession. A man‟s watch

Use a dash:

1. For emphasis. The icy road—slippery as a fish—was a hazard.

women‟s shoes

Add the apostrophe and s to a proper name of one syllable which ends in s. Bess’s Cafeteria James’s hat Jones’s bill

2. For certain special purposes. “Well—er—ah,” he stammered. “Jay, don’t get too close to the—.” It was too late.

Add the apostrophe only after (a) plural nouns ending in s and (b) a proper name of more than one syllable which ends in s or z.

*A hyphen is shorter: *To type a dash: type two hyphens (—) and the computer will make the dash once the next word is typed.

Add the apostrophe after the last noun in a series to indicate joint or common possession by two or more persons. Lewis and Clark’s expedition

Use a hyphen:

boys’ camp

Adams’ home

Smiths’ report

1. To join compound numbers from twenty-one to ninetynine that are keyed as words. forty-six fifty-eight over seventy-six 2. To join compound adjectives before a noun that they modify as a unit. well-laid plans six-year period two-thirds majority

Use a colon:

1. To introduce an enumeration or listing when the introduction is an independent clause. These are my favorite poets: Shelley, Keats, and Frost.

3. To form certain compound nouns. WLW-TV teacher-counselor

Use a comma:

AFL-CIO

1. After (a) introductory phrases or clauses and (b) words in a series. If you plan to be here for the week, try to visit Chicago, St. Louis, and Dallas.

Use parentheses:

2. Before and after (a) words which come together and refer to the same person, thing, or idea and (b) words of direct address. Clarissa, our class president, will give the report. I was glad to see you, Terrence, at the meeting.

2. To enclose identifying letters or figures in lists. Check these factors: (1) period of time, (2) rate of pay, and (3) nature of duties.

3. To set off nonrestrictive clauses (not necessary to the meaning of the sentence), but not restrictive clauses (necessary to the meaning). Your report, which deals with the issue, is great. The girl who just left is my sister.

1. At the end of a sentence that is a direct question; however, use a period after a request in the form of a question. What day do you plan to leave for Honolulu?

1. To enclose parenthetical or explanatory matter and added information. The amendments (Exhibit A) are enclosed.

Use a question mark:

2 Sept. 2010

2. To enclose titles of articles and other parts of complete publications such as short poems, song titles, magazine/newspaper articles, book chapters, television episodes, movie scenes, and unpublished works like theses and dissertations. “Episode 7: The Follow Up” “Chicago” by Sandburg “Cha Cha Slide” “Tornado Destroys All”

4. With a collective noun (committee, team, class, jury, etc.) if the collective noun acts as a unit. The jury has returned to the courtroom. The committee has filed its report. 5. With the pronouns all and some. All of the books have been classified. Some of the gas is being pumped into the tank.

3. To enclose special words or phrases, or coined words. “power up” procedure “Murphy’s Law”

6. When number is being used as the subject and is preceded by the; however, use a plural verb if number is preceded by a. The number of voters has increased this year. A number of workers are on vacation.

Use a semicolon:

1. To separate two or more independent clauses in a compound sentence when the conjunction is omitted. Being critical is easy; being constructive is not so easy.

Use a plural verb:

1. With a plural subject. The blossoms are losing their petals.

2. To separate independent clauses when they are joined by a conjunctive adverb. I can go; however, I must get excused.

2. With a compound subject joined by and. My mother and my father are the same age.

3. To precede an abbreviation or word that introduces an explanatory statement. She organized her work; for example, putting work to be done in folders of different colors to indicate degrees of urgency.

Negative forms of verbs:

1. Use the plural verb do not (or the contraction don‟t) when the pronoun I, we, you, or they, as well as a plural noun, is used as the subject. You don’t have a leg to stand on in this case. The scissors do not cut properly. I don’t believe that answer is correct.

Use an underline OR italicize:

1. With titles of complete works such as books, magazines, and newspapers. Superwrite The New York Times TV Guide

2. Use the singular verb does not (or the contraction doesn‟t) when the pronoun he, she, or it, as well as a singular noun, is used as the subject. She doesn’t want to attend the meeting. It does not seem possible that winter’s here.

2. To call attention to special words or phrases. Stop keying when time is called. Spell these words: steel, occur, separate.

Using proper names in reports:

When referring to a person, either orally or in written form, refer to them by their last name (never by their first name only). We read Frost’s poem “The Road Not Taken.” Twain often used colloquialism in his writing. WRONG: We listened to Abraham’s Gettysburg Address.

Pronoun agreement with antecedents:

1. Pronouns (I, we, you, he, she, it, their, etc.) agree with their antecedents in person—person speaking, first person; person spoken to, second person; person spoken about, third person. We said we would go when we complete our work. When you enter, present your invitation.

Use a singular verb (pay attention to subject/ verb agreement):

2. Pronouns agree with their antecedents in gender. Each of the women has her favorite hobby. Adam will wear his favorite sweater. The tree lost its leaves early this fall.

2. With an indefinite pronoun used as a subject. Each of you is to bring a pen and paper. Neither of us is likely to be picked.

3. Pronouns agree with their antecedents in number. A verb must agree with its subject. Pronouns must agree with their antecedents. Brian is to give his recital at 2 p.m. Joan and Carla have lost their homework.

1. With a singular subject. The weather is clear but cold.

3. With singular subjects linked by or or nor. Either Jan or Fred is to make the presentation. Neither the principal nor the teachers are here.

3 Sept. 2010

4. When a pronoun‟s antecedent is a collective noun, the pronoun may be either singular or plural depending on whether the noun acts individually or as a unit. The committee met to cast their ballots. The class planned its graduation program.

4 Sept. 2010

Books

Take the information about the book from its title page and copyright page. Use a short form of the publisher’s name; omit terms such as “Press,” “Inc.,” and “Co.” except when naming university presses (“Harvard UP,” for example). If the copyright page lists more than one date, use the most recent one.

Book with author and editor

The abbreviation “Ed.” means “Edited by,” so it is the same for one or multiple editors.

Encyclopedia or Dictionary entry

If there is no author listed, start with the title of the entry.

Posner, Rebecca. “Romance Languages.” The Encyclopaedia Britannica: Macropaedia. 15th ed. 1987. Print.

Author’s last name, first name. “Title of Entry.” Title of Encyclopedia. Edition number. Medium.

Article in a monthly magazine

Article in a weekly magazine

Newspaper with section letters

5 Sept. 2010

Newspaper with section numbers

WEBSITES: If a source has no sponsor or publisher, use the abbreviation “N.p.” (for “No publisher”) in the sponsor position. If there is no date of publication or update, use “n.d.” (for “no date”) after the sponsor. For an article in an online journal or an article from a database, give page numbers if they are available; if they are not, use the abbreviation “n. pag.”

An entire website

Specific short work with author

Entire website with an unknown author

Online scholarly journal

Online magazine

Give the author; the title of the article, in quotation marks; the title of the magazine, italicized; the sponsor or publisher of the site (use “N.p.” if there is none); the date of publication; the medium; and your date of access.

Burton, Robert. “The Certainty Epidemic.” Salon.com. Salon Media Group, 29 Feb. 2008. Web. 18 Jan. 2009. 6 Sept. 2010

Online newspaper

Entire weblog (blog)

Give the author, the title of the article, in quotation marks; the title of the newspaper, italicized; the sponsor or publisher of the site (use “N.p.” if there is none); the date of publication; the medium; and your date of access.

Cite a blog as you would an entire website.

Gristmill. Grist Magazine, 2008. Web. 19 Jan. 2009.

Entry or comment in a weblog (blog)

Smith, Andrew D. “Poll: More than 70% of US Workers Use Internet on the Job.”Dallasnews.com. Dallas Morning News, 25 Sept. 2008. Web. 29 Oct. 2009.

Cite an entry or a comment (a response to an entry) in a blog as you would a short work from a website. If the comment or entry has no title, use the label “Weblog entry” or “Weblog comment.” Follow with the remaining information as for an entire blog.

Online reference work

Give the title of the entry, in quotation marks; the title of the site; the sponsor and update date (use “n.d.” if there is none); the medium; and your date of access.

“Social Media: Facebook and MySpace as University Curricula.” Open Education. Open Education.net, n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2008.

“Native American Church.” Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2008. Web. 29 Jan. 2009.

Cindy. Weblog comment. Open Education. Open Education.net, 5 Sept. 2008. Web. 14 Aug. 2009.

Podcast online

E-mail message

Begin with the writer’s name and the subject line. Then write “Message to” followed by the name of the recipient. End with the date of the message and the medium (“Email”).

“Calculating the Demand for Charter Schools.” Narr. David Guenthner. Texas PolicyCast. Texas Public Policy Foundation, 28 Aug. 2008. Web. 10 Jan. 2009.

Lowe, Walter. “Review Questions.” Message to the author. 15 Mar. 2009. E-mail.

Podcast downloaded as digital file

“Calculating the Demand for Charter Schools.” Narr. David Guenthner. Texas PolicyCast. Texas Public Policy Foundation, 28 Aug. 2008. MP3 file

Digital file

A digital file is any document or image that exists in digital form, independent of a Web site. To cite a digital file, begin with information required for the source (such as a photograph, a report, a sound recording, or a radio program), following the guidelines for the specific source. Then for the medium, indicate the type of file: “JPEG file,” “PDF file,” “MP3 file,” and so on.

*note: Underlines may be replaced by italics—just keep it consistent! *NO WIKIPEDIA sources will be accepted. Hacker, Diana. A Writer’s Reference. 6th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2010.

Bedford / St. Martin’s. Research and Documentation Online 5th Edition. B/SM. Web. 22 Sept. 2010. .

7 Sept. 2010

8 Sept. 2010