ENGL101: Quick-Reference Notes

Writing is a conversation; write for someone and tailor to audience and purpose.
Four elements to understand a writing project: purpose, audience, voice, and medium.
Your main purpose in academic writing can include: explain/explore (expository), analyze (analytical), report on process/results (technical/scientific), provide a status update (business), persuade (argumentative), reflect on experiences (expressive), or tell a story (narrative).

Purpose guides how you present information and which format you choose.
Audience matters: readers come from diverse backgrounds and disciplines; you may shift your style for different readers (friends, instructors, committees, etc.).
Audience awareness creates appropriate tone, evidence, and organization.

You will choose among APA, MLA, or Turabian based on your major or program requirements; check with your instructor if unsure.
Do not mix elements from different styles in one assignment.
Resources: Liberty University Online Writing Center for style guides and examples.

Title page: unique title; centered; bold; 3–4 lines from the top; include: author, university, course, instructor, due date.
Page formatting: 12pt Times New Roman; 1 inch margins on all sides; double spacing; page numbers on all pages (title page shows page number as well in the header).
Abstract: not required for ENGL101 papers.
In-text citations: for sources with three or more authors, use the first author + et al. (e.g., (Langford, et al., 2019)); up to 20 authors listed in the References.
References page: no "Retrieved from" before URLs; include website name and italicize the page title; publisher location is no longer required for book references; include publisher for e-books but omit format/platform.
Headings: use APA-style section levels as appropriate; avoid overusing levels in undergrad work.

MLA emphasizes in-text citations and a Works Cited page.
MLA 9th ed changes emphasize inclusive language, updated formatting, and notes; follow the course’s MLA quick-guide resources when formatting your paper.
For ENGL101, you will typically rely on the course-provided MLA guidance and sample papers.

Two primary citation styles: Notes-Bibliography (NB) and Author-Date.
NB is common in humanities; Author-Date is common in social sciences.
ENGL101 materials provide guidance and samples for NB-style papers.
Front matter: title page setup; pagination rules; front matter may use roman numerals; main text uses Arabic numerals.
Footnotes and Bibliography: use footnotes for citations in the text; bibliography at the end with hanging indent; notes and bibliography entries have distinct formatting.
Footnotes: use superscript numbers; indent the first line of the footnote; single-space notes; one space between footnotes on the same page.

Font: 12-point Times New Roman (APA and Turabian NB samples).
Spacing: double-space the body; footnotes/bibliography may have special spacing rules.
Paragraphs: indent first line 0.5 inches; new paragraphs start with a tab/indent.
Title page/header/body: follow the specific style’s rules for title placement, headings, and running heads (APA) or no running head (older APA guidance).

Objective: write a brief rhetorical analysis using the components of the rhetorical rhombus and appeals.
Source example: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” as a basis for analysis.
Typical format: a short essay or discussion-board post that identifies elements of argument and analyzes their effectiveness.

Step 1: Read critically and annotate; consider argument, rhombus elements, and appeals; note context.
Step 2: Prewriting/planning; outline main points and evidence.
Step 3: Drafting; apply the chosen documentation style (often MLA in class examples); present a clear thesis and supported paragraphs.
Step 4: Revising/editing; check prompt alignment, grammar, word count, and citation accuracy.
Step 5: Publishing; post to Canvas or other required platform.
Step 6: Respond to classmates; engage with peers’ analyses according to assignment guidelines.

Do not use slang or contractions; avoid first/second person pronouns in formal writing.
Use standard English grammar, spelling, and mechanics.
Use attention-grabber opening, active verbs, and transitions.
Support all assertions with cited scholarly sources.
Proofread thoroughly; read aloud to catch errors; schedule ahead of deadlines.

Clarify your purpose and audience before starting.
Select a consistent documentation style (APA, MLA, or Turabian) based on your major: do not mix styles.
Understand basic APA formatting: title page setup, spacing, headings, citations, and references rules.
Recognize the three appeals (ethos, pathos, logos) and how they work together in a persuasive argument.
Use the rhetorical rhombus to structure analyses and ensure you address the writer, audience, purpose, and message.
Follow the assignment prompts closely, and leverage the Liberty University Writing Center resources when in doubt.

If unsure about style choice, ask your instructor.
Review sample papers and quick-guides provided by LUO Writing Center for MLA, APA, and Turabian formatting.
Do not rely on a single sample paper for all formatting; adapt to the required style for your assignment.