BIBLIOGRAPHIES
As a History student, it is vital that you verify your information and credit the sources that have educated you. If you've lost your paper copy, download the Harvard bibliography referencing guide here. |
![]()
|
FORMAL WRITING
Whenever you write an essay, short answer or exam response, you need to use formal language. Save the LOLs and m8s for your mates. School work is your chance to show off your writing skills, so make sure you use the correct words, punctuation marks and spelling.
|
Weird Al Yankovic's Word Crimes (Blurred Lines)
|
CONTRACTIONS AND HOMOPHONES
In formal writing, you should avoid using contracted versions of words. But if you do use them, make sure they're the right ones. Some sound the same and these are called 'homophones'. If you're ever unsure, just check.
It's = it is Its = (possession of something) eg. The dog wagged its tail Your = (possession of something) eg. Your dog is wagging its tail You're = You are Their = (possession of something) eg. Their dog is wagging its tail They're = they are There = a place Then = a time Than = a method of comparison Too = a lot or also Two = a number To = indicates motion Were = the past tense of 'are' We're = we are Where = a place PUNCTUATION Apostrophes = ' DO use them in contractions. eg. Don't, can't, I'd, we'd DO use them when someone or something owns something. eg. Mrs Rowland's class are the best. If it's a group that owns something, the apostrophe goes after the "s". eg. The soldiers' weapons were superior. If it's a person or family's name, you can add an extra 's' or just use the apostrophe on the last s. Both are acceptable, just use the same one consistently. eg. The Smiths' pets were friendly. eg. The Smiths's pets were friendly. DO use them when handwriting the title of a text. eg. The film 'The Chronicles of Narnia' explores the journey of four... DON'T use them for plurals. eg. The kitten's played outside = WRONG. DON'T use them when referring to decades. eg. 1990's = WRONG. 1990s = RIGHT. Acronyms = words that are shortened by using capital letters to summarise them DO use them, but in the first instance use the full words and put the acronym in brackets after it. Then throughout the rest of the piece, use the acronym - that way, your reader knows what it stands for. eg. The devastation of World War Two (WWII)... Brackets = ( ) Don't use them much. They're only needed when you're discussing something that's not directly related to your topic. Dashes = -- Use them when you want to add brief or emphasised details, an interruption, or change of thought. eg. John--a trustworthy and loyal follower—was his right-hand man. Ellipses = ... Three dots that symbolise information being left out, or trailing off a thought. eg. She said that she'd be ready in 15 minutes, but that was an hour ago... Hyphens = - Use them to join words together. eg. ex-partner, mid-July, "re-cover the old paint" is different to "recover the lost document". Quotation marks = " " Use them whenever someone is talking. Other punctuation marks should end before the last pair of quotation marks. eg. "I am so sick of this rain!" he cried. Use a new line for a new speaker. eg. "I am so sick of this rain!" he cried. "I am so sick of your whinging..." mum replied, rolling her eyes. Use single quotation marks when a person is talking and quoting someone else. eg. "If you're 'so sick' of each other, then just leave" If the sentence continues, use a comma in between the quotation marks. eg. "If you're 'so sick' of each other, then just leave," dad barked at them, "and give me some peace and quiet!" |