Guide to Form and Style:

IBOLT recommends that students use the resources provided by Purdue University on their OWL website for information on how to write, format and cite sources for IBOLT assignments.  There are a number of handouts that give you information on general academic writing, how to write a thesis statement, guide to APA formatting and much more helpful information.

For more information click on the link to the APA guide from Purdue University below.

Purdue OWL Site

Assignment Descriptions

The following descriptions are used with permission from http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_apa.html

DISCUSSION PAPER:
A Discussion Paper is written in double line spacing, 10 point Verdana or 12 point Times New Roman font, with a proper APA style title page. A discussion paper does not require internal citations of academic resources and a bibliography is not required. The tone of the paper is conversational in nature, in which the student is invited to express opinion and position on subject matter. It is marked on a grading scale which considers 10% on formatting, 10% on grammar and 80% on content.

ESSAY:
An Essay is written in double line spacing, 10 point Verdana or 12 point Times New Roman font. Bibliographic sources and citations are a part of this document and the requirements for each specific assignment should appear in the assignment description. It will include an APA-style title page, body style and bibliography. The paper will seek to address the issues presented by the instructor in the assignment in a clear, formal presentation of research and argumentation. It is marked on a grading scale which considers 10% on formatting, 10% on grammar and 80% on content.

REVIEW:
Similar to an Essay, a Book or Article Review is written in double line spacing, 10 point Verdana or 12 point Times New Roman font. Bibliographic sources and citations are a part of this document and the requirements for each specific assignment should appear in the assignment description. (Four of which will refer to the book or article under review.) It will include an APA¬-style title page, APA body style and bibliography. It should focus on Summary of the book or article, Evaluation and Application of the book or article (SEA). It is marked on a grading scale which considers 10% on formatting, 10% on grammar and 80% on content.

RESEARCH PAPER:
A Research Paper is an academic paper that develops a thorough treatment of a thesis statement, development of argumentation, and support of the thesis with documented research. It is a formal paper, written with double line spacing, 10 point Verdana or 12 point Times New Roman font. Bibliographic sources and citations are a part of this document and the requirements for each specific assignment should appear in the assignment description. It will include an APA-style title page, body style and bibliography. It is marked on a grading scale which considers 10% on formatting, 10% on grammar and 80% on content.