Text Reference: Chapters 4, 7, 9, and pp 49-51

Titles.pdf

Sample Abstracts.pdf

“Question: why is a good writer like a criminal? Answer: Because they both prefer short sentences.”

Instruction

After reading Chapters 4, 7, and 9, you should have a good idea of what constitutes an article for a professional journal. One of the key thoughts inreporting research or reports of community programs is that of reproducibility. . You should write it in such a way that the reader could, if following your methods, reproduce your results. If you are writing a report of your original research, follow the IMRAD formula, namely Introduction, Methods, Results and Discussion. Similarly, a report of a community program would have an Introduction, Program Description, Implementation, Results and Discussion. It is helpful if you prepare an outline of your paper, with its component parts,before you write.

Distinguish between primary and secondary reports. A primary report is original research. Reporting from already published literature is secondary. If you have presented your findings as an Abstract or Poster at a convention, it does not preclude you from submitting your report as an a article for publication. Indeed, you often gain new insights from presenting in this manner, and including responses to questions or suggestions by viewers.

Titles.pdf describes steps to take in formulating a title for your papers. A title for the professional paper should contain the key words which help Abstracters to identify your paper in future searches. It should not contain any more words than necessary, and need not form a complete sentence. Using a colon (:) often will save words. You do not capitalize words such as “the,” “an,” or “in.” Never use acronyms on a title, even though you commonly speak of them in that manner. [You introduce your Acronym in your Abstract as well as in the Introduction to your article].

The title for your popular paper can be a catchy or clever title, depending on the style of the magazine to which you are submitting. It should, however, have a direct relationship to the article.

Sample Abstracts.pdf include sample abstracts to show the usual format for a professional paper. Not all journals, however, follow this format of using subtitles for the component parts; you will need to see samples from the journals you are contemplating for submission. The usual word limit for an Abstract is 250 words. That means you make every word count.

Note also that you never put in your Abstract something which does not appear in your paper. You do, however, include your main result. An Abstract is not a murder mystery! You have to state right up front what you found, or what you accomplished.

A popular article requires no Abstract, so do not waste your time writing one!

Determining Authorship [Text pp 48-51]. If you expect faculty co-authorship, you should contact the faculty member(s) regarding your expectations. Then be sure they have opportunity to review your manuscript in its developmental stages and final form. The textbook indicates how to determine priority in listing names on an article. You will need to ascertain the correct and complete title and address of the faculty member(s) involved.

Assignment: Due February 3 midnight PST Please submit your assignments through the Assignment Page

Professional Publication: Abstract and title for your article.

Popular Article: Title and outline of your article