Write with Style at Tyl
a basic guide for formatting your word processing projects

Illustration by Heather S., Grade 7, 2004

Guidelines Summary for Standard Style at Tyl:
Palatino font, 12 point, plain text, left-justified,
double-spaced between lines.
Press return before the start of each paragraph.
Tab once to indent each paragraph a consistent 1/2 inch.

First, Write It:
Get the ideas on the page. Then reread your words, spell-check, polish, revise, improve, and edit them. Use clear, concise writing. Does it say what you want it to say?

Words

• press the spacebar once between words

Sentences

• press the spacebar twice between sentences

Paragraphs
If your teacher does not tell you which style to use, then use the standard first line indent style.

• Standard first line indent style
  • left-justify the text
  • press return once before the start of each paragraph
  • press the tab key once for a consistent 1/2” indentation of the first line
    
• Block style
  • left-justify the text
  • press return twice before the start of each paragraph
  • do not indent the first line

Line Spacing

• use the format ruler (not the return key!) to double space lines of body text
• single space lines for title and by-line
  

Second, Format It:
Make your page look good. It should be readable, consistent, and graphically appealing.

Font Choice

• be consistent
• use the same font throughout your entire document!
• use one of the following fonts:
  • serif fonts (preferred)
    • Palatino
    • Times New Roman
    • New York
  • sans serif fonts
    • Helvetica
    • Geneva
    • Comic Sans MS

Size and Style of Font

• body and by-line should be 10 or 12 point, plain text
  • the body and by-line should match
• the title should be 12 or 14 point, bold text and should not be underlined

Document Margins

• use the default margin of one inch unless directed otherwise
  • if you choose anything else, do not go less than .5 inch

Pagination

• if you have more than one page, create a footer (in AppleWorks, Format to Insert Footer) and have the word processor insert the page number automatically (in AppleWorks, Edit to Insert Page #)

Title

• centered
• bold face type
• 12, 14 or 18 point size (one or more steps larger than your body text)
• do not underline your own title at the top of your page
  

By-line

• centered
• plain text that matches body
• placed directly under title without extra space
• 10 or 12 point plain text
• the by-line should not have a colon (:) or a comma (,) between the by and your name as author
  • see sample document

Body

• left-justified
• 10 or 12 point, plain text in consistent font
• black, not colored, text
  

Third, Package It:
Add your heading, title page, and works cited list, where applicable.

Heading

• at the top right of the first page or on a separate title page
  • your first and last name
  • class name (i.e., Geography)
  • class day and period
  • teacher name
  • date
    
• Ask your teacher if a separate title page is required

Endnotes, Footnotes, or Parenthetical Citations?

• ask your teacher which citation format to use
• follow MLA Style for the correct format
  

Works Cited List

• follow MLA Style or use one of the free internet citations machines to generate correctly written citations
  • Oregon School Library Citation Maker
    http://oslis.k12.or.us/secondary/howto/cited/
  • Landmark’s Citation Machine
    http://landmark-project.com/citation_machine/index.php

Last, Spell-Check It Again and Print It:
After printing, check it again, look at it carefully, read it over aloud several times, and consult other readers and peers to read and help improve your work.

Remember:
Be proud of your writing and always ask,
“How can I make it better?”

Need More Help?

See Sample Document

Ask for extra help from your teacher

Consult

• On-line Writing Resources and Grammar Helpers
  Writing Center Writer’s Handbook: University of Wisconsin-Madison
  http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/index.html
  
• Guide to Grammar and Writing (Capital Community College Foundation, Hartford, CT)
  http://ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/
  
• Purdue University On-line Writing Lab
  http://owl.english.purdue.edu/

Write with Style at Tyl
Guidelines for Final Copy, Handwritten Work

Illustration by Heather S., Grade 7, 2004

Handwritten work follows guidelines similar to
those for word processing projects.

Paper

• Write on one side of the paper only.
• Use white lined paper, not newsprint.
• Remove all ragged edges.
• Staple or paperclip pages together neatly in the upper left corner.
• Do not fold or tear the paper.
• Do not hand in dog-eared pages.

Ink

• Use a ballpoint pen.
• Use only blue or black ink.
• Do not use pencil or magic marker or crayon.
• Do not use red ink or any other color ink.
• Make your writing as legible as possible.
  

Handwriting

• Either printing or cursive are acceptable, but be consistent, neat, and readable.

Format

• Indent the first line of each paragraph a consistent space up to one inch.
• Do not leave any lines blank between paragraphs.

Content

• Write in complete sentences.
• Read and reread carefully for misspelled words and misused homophones.
• Capitalize and punctuate properly.
• Check for subject - verb agreement.

Polish your writing!

Make sure that both your content and the document’s appearance are the best that you can do.

Questions, Suggestions, or Comments?