Writing Guides 

The following resources have been assembled to illustrate writing formats and conventions in different disciplines and for special purposes. Resources in the General / Multidisciplinary category provide information on writing theses and dissertations or general practices of writing for scholarly publication. Other resources listed under broad subject categories provide guidelines for writing in particular fields of academic study. Similar materials available for use in the library are shelved in Ready Reference and can be found using IUCAT Catalog (Indiana University's online library catalog).

General / Multidisciplinary

Electronic Theses and Dissertations: A Sourcebook for Educators, Students, and Librarians. Marcel Dekker, 2004. (Ready Reference Z692.C65 E44, [shelf 18])

This is an in-depth discussion of the how and why of electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs). It "contains answers, techniques, and methods that have proven effective" in the use of ETDs for students, mentors, and librarians alike.

Getting it Published: A Guide for Scholars and Anyone Else Serious about Serious Books. University of Chicago Press, 2001. (Ready Reference PN161 .G46, [shelf 18])

"Provides sound and honest advice about all aspects of preparing and producing an academic book." It discusses how to select a publisher, what editors look for in a manuscript, and the intricacies of a contract. 

Guide to the Successful Thesis and Dissertation: A Handbook for Students and Faculty. Marcel Dekker, 2003. (Ready Reference LB2369 .M377, [shelf 18])

A step-by-step guide for writing theses and dissertations. This edition includes "references to university research libraries and advanced information on Web sites, online searches, electronic literature, and other modern computer methods" necessary for completion of projects.

Guide to Writing Empirical Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. Marcel Dekker, 2002. (Ready Reference LB2369 .G27, [shelf 18])

This "text treats the quantitative research process - framing analytical questions, developing a comprehensive outline, and accessing indispensable computer and program tools." An entire chapter is devoted to online resources and all chapters conclude with extensive bibliographies.

How to Write a Thesis. Practical Instruction for Researching and Writing a Top-Notch Thesis or Dissertation. Thomson/Arco, 2003. (Ready Reference LB2369 .T36, [shelf 18])

"This practical handbook covers every phase of researching and writing a thesis or dissertation." In addition to writing and note-taking techniques, standard style guidelines, footnote and bibliographic forms, and sample research papers are included.

The New Century Handbook. 2nd ed. Longman, 2002. (Ready Reference PE1408 .H688, [shelf 18])

This handbook provides detailed advice on grammar, punctuation, usage, and all facets of writing, for school and for work. Provides useful examples of writing and a wealth of resources for research in a variety of fields, including the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences.

The St. Martin's Sourcebook for Writing Tutors. Bedford/St. Martin's, 2003. (Ready Reference PN181 .M78, [shelf 18])

This "second edition represents current ideas about tutoring and discusses the implications of writing center theory for tutors and administrators." Discussions include "online tutoring in its many forms, ethical dimensions of tutoring writing, and challenges to theories of the writing process."

Style Guides (Helmke Library Subject Pathfinder)

This Helmke Library guide identifies style guides for documenting resources and contains examples of bibliographic styles in a variety of subject areas.

Successful Publishing in Scholarly Journals. Sage Publications, 1994. (Ready Reference Z479 .T55, [shelf 18])

"This volume presents an insider's view of how to develop a personal program of productive publishing and how to increase the chances that articles will be accepted for publication."

Using the Internet, Online Services, and CD-ROMs for Writing Research and Term Papers. Neal-Schuman Publishers, 2000. (Ready Reference LB1047.3 .U75 2000, [shelf 18])

Business

How to Research and Write a Thesis in Hospitality and Tourism: A Step-by-Step Guide for College Students. Wiley, 1993.  (Ready Reference TX911.5 .P69, [shelf 18])

As a beginner's guide to research and writing in this area, "this hands-on guide helps students pull together various components of a thesis…from the cover page to the bibliography." It also includes chapter summaries and exercises to reinforce lessons presented.

Publishing in the Organizational Sciences. Sage Publications, 1995. (Ready Reference Z286.M29 P82, [shelf 18])

The essays presented in this book cover various topics including "the manuscript review process, publication system, rejection, and the editorial process." All chapters conclude with extensive references.

Education

Doing Your Research Project: A Guide for First-Time Researchers in Education and Social Science. Open University Press, 1999. (Ready Reference LB1028 .B394, [shelf 18])

Considered "something of a 'bible' for first-time researchers in social science," this "third edition contains new material on narrative inquiry, supervision, intellectual property, ethics, finding and searching information sources, and the production of literature reviews.

Health Sciences

Health Writer's Handbook. Iowa State University Press, 1998. (Ready Reference R119 .G376, [shelf 18])

Provides guidance for those interested in writing about medical subjects. It includes examples of health writing, useful Internet sites and toll free numbers, major information sources, and an extensive bibliography.

Humanities

A Short Guide to Writing About Art. Longman, 2008. (Ready Reference N7476 .B37, [shelf 18])

Designed to assist students in research and writing about art or writing essay exams, this 9th edition includes numerous checklists, illustrations, and examples of the Art Bulletin style and Chicago Manual of Style. Topics highlighted in the new edition include feminist art, art installations, writing about public monuments, non-Western art, and controversial exhibitions.

Writing About Music: An Introductory Guide. Prentice Hall, 1997. (Ready Reference ML3797 .W54, [shelf 18])

Divided into three parts, this edition "provides practical assistance in writing research papers and other types of writing projects in the field of music" as well as "addressing common problems encountered when writing about music." A sample paper, complete with footnotes, is given at the conclusion of the book.

Writing and Learning in the Disciplines. Harper Collins, 1996. (Ready Reference PE1408 .F43, [shelf 18])

A series of interviews across nine academic disciplines provides the core of this text. Each chapter includes writing and learning activities as well as references in each area. One chapter is devoted to different citation styles including APA, MLA, and CBE for source documentation.

Science / Technology

How to Write & Publish a Scientific Paper. Oryx Press, 1998. (Ready Reference T11 .D33, [shelf 18])

This 5th edition discusses scientific writing and how it should be approached from writing an abstract, to designing effective tables, to preparing effective graphs and photographs. It also advises how to review a paper, write a conference report, and how to write a thesis. Numerous appendices include word abbreviations, words to avoid, and accepted abbreviations and symbols for scientific writing.

The MIT Guide to Science and Engineering Communication. MIT Press, 2002. (Science Reference Q223 .P33, [Ready Reference shelf 18])

"The MIT Guide emphasizes processes and forms that will help in creating documents." It includes "highly technical samples and excellent illustrations of the writing process, collaborative reviews, etc."

The Practice of Technical and Scientific Communication: Writing in Professional Contexts. Ablex Publishing Corporation, 1998. (Ready Reference T11 .P73, [shelf 18])

"The chapters of this book describe what technical and scientific communicators do in 12 different professional areas." Each chapter begins with a list of jobs, responsibilities of that job, employment outlook, and salary range in each area. Each chapter then concludes with further information about each professional area, suggested readings in that area, and references.

Science and Technology Research: Writing Strategies for Students. Scarecrow Press, 2002. (Ready Reference Z710 .N47, [shelf 18])

This guide is "written to assist the reader in developing literature research and evaluation skills, without regard to format or source." "While the examples and skills are designed for undergraduates seeking information in science and technology," it can be used by anyone "in any field of study." A "library jargon" glossary and an extensive bibliography are also included.

Writing Successful Science Proposals. Yale University Press, 2000. (Ready Reference Q180.55.P7 F75, [shelf 18])

The authors "have written a clear, concise guide to scientific proposal writing that captures the essence of the scientific enterprise." They also include lists of grant application books and Web addresses for funding organizations.

Social / Behavioral Sciences

The Criminal Justice Student Writer's Manual. Prentice Hall, 2002. (Ready Reference HV9950 .C74323, [shelf 18])

Designed to assist students in organizing their ideas in a clear and accurate fashion, this manual stresses basic techniques to be used in writing papers on criminal justice topics. It discusses how to cite legal references, government publications, and includes a lengthy glossary of criminal justice terms.

Doing Your Research Project: A Guide for First-Time Researchers in Education and Social Science. Open University Press, 1999. (Ready Reference LB1028 .B394, [shelf 18])

Considered "something of a 'bible' for first-time researchers in social science," this "third edition contains new material on narrative inquiry, supervision, intellectual property, ethics, finding and searching information sources, and the production of literature reviews."

A Guide to Writing Sociology Papers. Worth Publishers, 2001. (Ready Reference HM585 .G78, [shelf 18])

An essential writing guide which discusses how to get started writing, how to edit and format a paper, how to conduct Internet research (with a listing of sociology Web sites), and a listing of sociology journals for library research. Sample papers are also given and analyzed for both style and content.

The Political Science Student Writer's Manual. Prentice Hall, 2000. (Ready Reference JA86 .S39, [shelf 18])

This manual is designed to both improve writing and learn about political science. Discussions of grammar and style, source citation, the research process, importance of critical thinking, and six different types of political science papers are all explored. A chapter citing sources in political science and a glossary of political science terms are also included.

Professional Writing for Lawyers: Skills and Responsibilities. Carolina Academic Press, 1998. (Ready Reference KF250 .J64, [shelf 18])

Using wide-ranging examples, this book covers the majority of legal documents an attorney might prepare in the practice of law. Extensive footnotes for these documents are presented and useful themselves for legal formatting.

The Psychology Student Writer's Manual. NJ: Prentice Hall, 1999.  (Ready Reference BF76.8 .P7, [shelf 18])

Broken down into five major areas, this guide provides a handbook of style for psychology, information on conducting research, how to critique an article, steps in writing a traditional paper, and a chapter discussing ethics. A glossary of psychology terms and a reference list concludes the book.

The Sociology Student Writer's Manual. Prentice Hall, 2000. (Ready Reference HM73 .S637, [shelf 18])

This handbook reviews basic writing guidelines, how to conduct and organize research, fallacies to avoid in writing, critical-thinking exercises, and how to conduct case studies. Included also is a glossary of sociology terms and an extensive reference listing.