AR Style Handbook

8/7/2019 AR Style Handbook

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/ar-style-handbook 1/21

Basic Requirements for

Written / Word Processed Work

For written work use

composition paper

blue or black ink pen only

standard heading – see page 66.

indent first line of all paragraphs by one inch

only the front side of the paper

• if more than one sheet of paper is needed, writeyour name and page number in the upper rightcorner of all pages after the first page.

For word processed work use

point size 12

Times New Roman font

black ink only

double space

one-inch margins for handwritten work

1.25 computer default for word-processed work

Guidelines for an Oral Report

60

A-R Style Handbook



1. Subject

Gather sufficient available material. The subject should pertain to both you and your audience. The

subject should not be too technical, silly, unoriginal, or general. The subject should not be too long or too short for the allotted time. Allow yourself enough time to prepare. Select a title that is catchy, brief, and relevant to your subject.

2. Audience – consider …

Age Education Social standing Interest – in other words, don’t bore them to death!

3. Mechanics of Speech Preparation

Decide on a purpose. Gather material. Organize material. Word your speech.

o Write the speech in full

o Make notecards

REHEARSE!

4. Ways to Begin a Speech (Introduction)

Open by telling a story (human interest, humorous, exciting) thatcatches interest and curiosity.

Refer to a recent incident with which the audience is acquainted. Use a quotation to set the stage for the introduction of ideas. Use a novel idea or striking statement to arouse curiosity and

interest or to gain attention.

Put pertinent and challenging questions to the audience.

5. Ways to End a speech (Conclusion)

Summarize the speech. Restate points in order. Use an anecdote, an analogy, or a simile. Call for action from the audience.

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How to Take an Essay Test

Read the question carefully. Notice WHAT information is requested.

Organize your answer. If asked, “Describe cell division,” give a point-by-point explanation using correct sequence of events. If asked tocompare or contrast characters A and B, decide if you will do all of Afirst, then B, or if you will do a point-by-point comparison.

Begin your essay with a topic sentence that rewords the teacher’squestion.

Example:Essay Question: “What are the functions of the circulatory system?”

Essay Answer: There are several functions of the circulatory system.(Then, continue with your essay answer.)

Develop answers fully. Use examples from the book or from classnotes.

Write a conclusion. Conclude your essay by summarizing or rewording main points.

Refer to an individual using his first and last name in the firstreference; thereafter, use his last name only.

Example:William Shakespeare wrote more sonnets than plays. In fact, in his lifetime,Shakespeare produced more than 200 of these poems.

Use PRESENT TENSE VERBS when discussing a work of literature.

Example:

Sleeping Beauty is kissed by Prince Charming.

For all other situations, use appropriate verb tenses.

Example:Josef Stalin executed dissidents.

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Making an Outline

When you write a report, you have many facts and ideas toorganize. Writing an outline first will make your informationeasier to manage.

In a topic outline, the headings can be all single words,phrases, or clauses. In asentence outline, all the headings arecomplete sentences.

Use the following strategies.

Put the main heading in an order that seems logical for

your topic – for example, chronological order, spatial

order, or order of importance. Be sure that each pointrelates directly to the topic of the whole report.

Assign a Roman numeral to each main heading . Begin

with Roman numeral I and number the main headings inorder.

Assign a capital letter to each subheading .

Use numbers to arrange supporting information under

each subheading . Supporting information may be

examples, points, or facts about a subheading.

S ubdivisions indicate that you are breaking a topic into

smaller parts; therefore, you cannot have I without II, or A without B, in your outline.

All headings must be in the same part of speech.

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Business Letter Format

Standard Heading for a Composition

65

Savannah Chamber of Commerce HEADING105 East Bay RoadSavannah, GA 31404-0012October 19, 20__

SKIP 4 SPACES

Ms. Charlotte Williams, Manager Belles Lettres BooksThe Delta Mall INSIDE ADDRESS Savannah, GA 31404-0012

SKIP 2 SPACES

Dear Ms. Williams: SALUTATION SKIP 2 SPACES

Welcome to the Savannah business community. As the Chamber’sExecutive Director, I’d like to thank you for opening your store in Delta Mall

SKIP 2 SPACES BETWEEN PARAGRAPHS

Belles Lettres is a welcome addition to the town’s economy, especially withthe store’s emphasis on Southern authors. I wish you success. For thisreason I encourage you to join the Chamber of Commerce. Membershipgives you a voice in your community’s development and access topromotional materials. I’ve enclosed a brochure about our work in thecommunity.

SKIP 2 SPACES If you decide to join, I could set up a ribbon-cutting ceremony within twoweeks. You would meet other members of the Chamber and receive someuseful news coverage. I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely, CLOSING

SKIP 4 SPACES TO ALLOW FORSIGNATURE

Edith JonesSKIP 2 SPACES

EJ:nk INTITALS Encl. Membership brochure ENCLOSURE Cc: Peter Sanchez COPIES

BODY

Edith Jones



Sample Title Page for a Report

66

Patriotism John SmithDecember 7, 20__ Block 3

The Father of Our Country

Heading

Double spacebefore and after heading

Title

Capitalize first letter of each importantword. DO NOT usequotation marks or underlining.

Place the title in thecenter.

Topic

Use one-inch

margins.



67

Operation of a V-8 Engine

John SmithTransportation Technology

Block 3December 7, 20__

Title of Work

Center the title.

Capitalize the first letter

of each important word.

DO NOT use quotationsor underling in the title.Name/Class/Time/Date

One inch from bottom of pageSingle spaceNo abbreviationsCenter each line



Meteors and Meteorites

Meteors are pieces of stone and iron from space that

enter earth’s atmosphere. Those that land on the earth are called

meteorites. Although a great many meteors do strike the earth,

they are only a small proportion of those that enter the atmosphere.

As far as is known, no one has ever been killed by a meteor, and

there is only one known instance of anyone being struck by one.

About 24 million visible meteors go through the atmosphere

every 24 hours. From telescope observations, however, astronomers

estimate that 8 billion actually enter the atmosphere daily.

Entering the atmosphere at a speed of many miles a

second, meteors are slowed down and, at a height of 75 to 50 miles,

become white hot from the heat generated by friction with the

atmosphere. Pieces of their molten surface fly off, carrying away

heat and forming a tail. Those meteorites large enough to get through

the atmosphere are so cooled by the time they reach the earth that

there is no danger of their starting fires. Meteorites larger than 100

tons would be so vaporized or fragmented on landing that nothing

would be left of it.

No one really knows that origin of meteors.

Astronomers think they come from the breakup of a planet or

some smaller bodies in space.

Sample Areas of Focus

68

#3

Area of Focus: Amy SumanInteresting Verbs Block 2Correct Comma Usage April 8, 20__

A Memorable Excursion

Three summers ago my family and I embarked on a month long

trip out west. We left in the early part of June and returned at the very end

of that month. Little did we know about the adventures awaiting us.

The first leg of the trip was straight driving; so, as usual, I slept.

After all, how interesting can two and half days of cornfield be? Then, we

began to observe other sights besides the cornfield. I believe that my

family and I actually had an effect on all that we encountered.

We cruised through a town in Idaho called Pocatello. It seems

that after we had left, there was a destructive tornado that wiped out a

power plant. Following that, my sister, Julie, and I had the pleasure of

swimming at Huntington Beach. A few weeks after that, a riot broke out

on that very same beach! About a week after we left California, an

earthquake shook the landscape. It wasn’t a huge one, but it was enough

to rattle my Aunt Ruth. However, it doesn’t take much to do that!

In short, neither my family nor I can explain these phenomena.

Actually, we shouldn’t even bother. Nevertheless, so far our path hasn’t

been as destructive as the one from that trip; although, there is always the

future.

Single space theheading.

Sample Report



The Research Paper

Topic Selection

If a specific topic is not assigned, choose one with which you arecomfortable.

Limit the scope of the topic. Civil War is too broad for a topic; however,the Battle of Shiloh, Stonewall Jackson, Songs of the Civil War, arepossible ways to limit a general or broad topic.

Information Gathering

Determine keywords to use for look up materials.

Use the card catalog.

Use the Reader’s Guide to Periodical Literature.

69

Double space beforeand after the

heading.

Double space thetext.



Use TOM (Titles on Microfiche) or EBSCO Host to locate additional

magazine articles.

Consult databases available on the POWER Library web site.

Use the Access PA computer to search for titles from other schools.(Allow 2 weeks for delivery.)

Use books, magazine articles, audio-visual software, newspapersinterviews, or other sources of information.

Use Internet web sites as per teacher guidelines.

Consult with the librarian for advice and ideas.

Preparation

Use 3 x 5 index cards for work cited cards and notecards.

As soon as you begin to consult a new source, you should make out acard for it.

Sample Source CardsBooks One Author

Last, First. Title. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year.

No Author Begin with title of book

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AVOID PLAGIARISMYou must be sure that your reader knows which words and ideas are yours and

which are someone else’s. Plagiarism is using another writer’s words or ideas withoutacknowledgment. Plagiarism is stealing, and people who plagiarize the words of othershave no defense in a court of law.

Leahy, William. TheResearch Paper. Evanston, IL:Harper Row, 1985.

When using this formatfor writing Works Cited, usethe TAB key for the indentions.

Underline book titles in the SourceCards; however, book titles will beitalicized in the Works Cited page.



Two AuthorsUse the last name of the first author followed by the first name.Use the first and last name of the second author.

Three or more authors

Give the first author’s last name followed by the first name. Addet al . or and others with no punctuation in between.

Anthologies Single work from an anthology

Use the last and first name of the author, followed by the workwithin the anthology. Follow with the title of the book, editor, city of publication, publisher, year of publication and page number.

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Germany Today . New York:Houghton MifflinCompany,1988.

Walker,Clyde, and JamesSmith. The GreatPlants. New York:

Franklin Watts, 1995.

Fuess, Claude et al. The CollegeBoard: Its First FiftyYears. New York: ColumbiaUniversity Press, 1970.

Rich, Adrienne. “Re-FormingThe Crystal.”ContemporaryAmerican Poetry. EditorAndy Poulin. Boston:Houghton MifflinCompany, 1996, p. 396.



Encyclopedia or Reference Book with author

> without author

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“Technical Education.”Encyclopedia Americana.1992.

Lamber, Andrea.“Computer 13 edTechnology.” World Book. 1984.



Periodicals and NewspapersSigned Article in a Magazine

Use the last name and first name of the author followed by the titleof the article in quotes and then the magazine title. Place a commaafter he magazine title followed by the month and year of the articleand then the page numbers.

Unsigned Article in a Magazine

Newspaper Article

Begin the card with the title of the article unless the

Other Media Sources

Movies

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St. Antonie, Arthur. “Rushingthe Limits.” MotorTrend, October 2002, pp.120 – 124.

“Speak Hillary.” The New

Republic. November2000, p. 10.

Ferrence, Frank. “Steelers Ex-Center Webster Dies at 50.” TheIndian Gazette.September 24, 2002, p.1.

Rebel Without a Cause.Director Nicholas Ray.With James Dean , NatalieWood, Sal Mineo, andDennis Hopper. Warner,1955.



Video (Documentary)

Interview

InternetIf the cite has an author, begin by using last and first

name of the author. Add the title of the article, followed by thelast date of revision of the cite. Follow this with the URL which

contains < and > before and after the cite. End the cite with thedate accessed.

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Our Friendly Sun. Washington,D.C.: National

Geographic, 1998.[video-recording]

Setlock, Ed. Teacher,

September 26, 2002,McIntyre, PA. [PersonalInterview]

O’Connell, Lorraine. “BusyTeens Feel the Beep.”2001, <http:

www.o’connell.teens.com>,October 15, 2002.



Creating a Preliminary ThesisStatement

and a Working Outline

Use the following strategies to streamline the research process:

Scan your sources to see what kind of information is available.

Take particular notice of subheadings from the resources.

Prioritize these subtopics

Make a working outline. Refer to page 56.

Develop a thesis statement.

Taking Notes Using NoteCards

Use the following strategies to save time and effort when taking notes:

Write your research notes on index cards. When you have finishedyour research, you will make an outline. It is easier to arrangeinformation if your notes are on index cards.

Make a research guide card. On an index card, list your topic, theareas of the topic that you want to cover, and the point of your research. This card will guide your reading and note taking.

Skim an article or chapter quickly to determine its content . If itapplies to your limited topic, read it carefully.

Write the author’s last name and an abbreviated an abbreviated title in the upper right corner of each note card . For an article inwhich the author is not given, write the abbreviated title.

Write a subject heading in the upper left corner of each card . Thisheading will identify the main idea of the card. This “slug” shouldmatch one of the headings in your preliminary outline.

At the bottom of the card, write the number of the page from whichthe information is taken. If the information is from more than onepage, list the relevant page numbers – for example, 12 – 14.

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Make notes on only one idea for each card . You can thenrearrange our note cars easily. For example, of two problemsare discussed in a paragraph, make a separate card for eachproblem. You may use the two bits of information in differentplaces in your report.

Summary / Paraphrase

To paraphrase means to put someone else’s words inyour own words. You should paraphrase an author’s sentenceswhen it is not crucial to keep the original wording. Paraphrasingallows you to state an author’s ideas in your own words and inyour own style of writing. When you are working on a report thatwill include information from many different sources, one style of

writing will make your report flow more smoothly. Hint: Toavoid plagiarism, use words or phrases, not completesentences.

Summary / Paraphrase Card

Direct Quote Card

You should use a direct quotation when it is crucial to keep an author’s originalwording. You should also use a direct quotation when a writer’s words areespecially interesting or important or would lose their power if paraphrased. Copya direct quotation exactly and enclose it in quotations marks

Do not pack your report with direct quotations. If you do, you will nothave produced a report.

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Shakespeare’s FisherEarly Years The Bard

• born – 1554 in Stratford-on–Avon

• educated to 6th grade

p.16

“Slug” – This isactually your subjectheading from your workingoutline.

Author and abbreviatedtitle of source, whichis your sourceidentification

Place page number fromsource at bottom right of card.

Shakespeare’s FisherEarly Years The Bard

“Born in 1554 in Stratford-on–AvonEngland, William Shakespeare had littleformal deputation. According to mostsources, he attended the local grammarschool only through the sixth grade.”

p. 1



Revising a Thesis Statement andOutline

After researching your topic, you should have a thorough knowledge of it. Use thefollowing guidelines to focus your research into a thesis statement.

Use the following strategies.

Reread all your note cards. Make sure that each card has a subject heading,source identification, and page reference.

Separate your note card into subject headings.

Make a final outline based on the main headings of each stack of note cards.

Adjust thesis as necessary

Create a working title. It will help you to stay focused on your topic as your write your first draft.

Writing the First Draft of Your Report

THE INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH

Begin your report with an introduction. For a short report, the introduction is

usually one paragraph. The introductory paragraph often consists of two or threesentences that build the readers’ interest, leading to the thesis statement. After reading the introductory paragraph, readers should know what your report is aboutand what to continue reading.

The following introductory paragraph represents the topic of the report and thethesis statement. The thesis statement is italicized.

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Magnetic levitation trains are predicated to be the

transportation miracle of the 21st century. They can travel over 300

miles per hour without using fossil fuels or creating pollution. If our

government will fund development, magnetic levitation trains can

solve our present transportation problems as well as those of the

future.



THE SUPPORTING PARAGRAPHS

The body of a report supports and develops the thesis statement. Follow your outline to write the body of your report. For a short report of 500 to 1000 words,you will need at least one paragraph to cover each Roman numeral heading and itslettered subheadings

Use the Roman numeral headings and the lettered subheadings of your outline toform a topic sentence for each paragraph. Some lettered and numberedsubheadings of the outline will be used to form the important supporting details of each paragraph.

Before you begin writing each paragraph, review your notes in the appropriatestack of note cards. Organize your note cards in the order in which you want topresent important notes.

THE CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH

The concluding paragraph helps your reader to grasp the full meaning of your report. In several sentences you restate and summarize the main points of thereport. Because it is a summary, you should not introduce new information. Asample conclusion follows.

Use the following guidelines to help you determine where to place citations.

Place a citation at the end of a sentence after quotation marks but before thefinal period. Citations are less likely to break the flow of sentences in thatposition.

Example: The first magnetic levitation train service connected an English railwaystation and an airport. The train reached a modest top speed of 33.6 miles per hour “for a one-way trip of 90 seconds” (Smith 389). A second, faster train was putinto daily operation in Japan (May A16).

If you need to place a citation in the middle of a sentence to avoid confusion,

place it at the end of a clause but before any punctuation. For example, if youare using a fact from a source and drawing a conclusion from it, you will needto cite the source before stating your conclusion. Another situation requiringan internal citation is one in which information is used from two sources in two

parts of one sentence.

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Magnetic levitation trains are a fast andefficient method of transportation that uses nofossil fuel and produces no pollution. If the federalgovernment would fund

CitationPlacement



Example: Since no European high-speed rail service has ever failed (Thompson34), it is surprising that the United States government has not encouraged the

development of high-speed rail.

Example: In tests, a German magnetic levitation train reached the speed of 302miles per hour (Smith 389); in operation it travel at 211 miles per hour (Farr D).

If you have any quotations of five or more lines, indent the quotation as ablock, ten spaces from the left margin of the report. Do not enclose thequotation in quotation marks. Place the citation at the end of the of thequotation after the final period.

Arrange the entries in alphabetical order. An article with no author named isalphabetized by the first world of the title, not counting “A,” “An,” or “The.”

Begin the first line of each entry at the left margin, tab in succeeding lines of each entry from the left margin.

Space twice after the period that follows the author’s name.

Space twice after the quotation marks following an article title from aperiodical and twice after the period following a book title.

Space once after other items of information, such as the colon that follows thecity of publication, after commas, and between other information items.

No matter who your audience is or how you publish, polish your writing until itshines by using the tools available to you to present a clean, visually appealingproduct. The following guidelines can ensure a professional looking manuscript.

Double-space you final copy for easier reading. Proofread your writing onefinal time.

Use black print, point size 12, and Times New Roman font.

Use the standard computer default of 1.25 on the left and right sides and onthe top and bottom of the pages.

Center your title on the top line of Page 1. Skip a line between the title andthe first line of your writing. Do not put underline, bold, or put quotationsmarks around your title.

Tab in the first line of every paragraph.

Place your last name and page number in the upper right corner of all pages.Do this on all pages after the first page as shown in the sample researchpaper.

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Procedure for Works Cited Page

Preparing the Manuscript



Attach multiple pages at the upper left corner with a staple.

Above all, follow any special guidelines or specifications given by a teacher,editor or a committee.

Prepare a title page according to the sample on page 67.

AR Style Handbook

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