LIBRARY
POL 295: International Relations: Writing Resources
Welcome!
In This Guide
- Find citation examples for information formats in a variety of citation styles
- Learn how to document information in your field of research
- Read about intellectual property and copyright, and ways information is created and given credit for use
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do you proofread or edit papers?
A: We cannot offer proofreading or editing services.
We do offer eBooks, journal articles, and videos, as well as links to external writing resources that you will find helpful.
Q: Do you offer 1:1 help with citations, Draft Coach, Zotero, etc?
A: Yes, the library can help with these things.
Q: Do you offer instruction?
A: We offer a general whole class-based instruction, that can be scheduled by faculty, as well as some help videos, and other help and how-to resources.
Comparing Disciplines
Social scientists concentrate on articulating insights about human behavior in all of its cultural and social processes, contexts, and structural conditions.
Social science research combines qualitative and quantitative methodologies.
Bibliographic citations use standard rules to identify and describe information sources. Researchers in the social sciences use the style manual published by the American Psychological Association (APA) in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. It is essential to use the most recent edition of the style manual.
Depending upon their area of study, scholars, may also use The Chicago Manual of Style, the APSA Style Manual for Political Science, or the ASA Style Guide, published by the American Sociological Association. Always check with your professor for the preferred citation format.
Humanities scholars interpret and explain the cultural, social, historical, and ideological foundations of human thought, action, and spirit. Their work represents a conversation with both their objects of study and with earlier interpretations by other scholars.
References act as an index to the dialogue and analysis undertaken by the person or group responsible for a piece of writing.
Bibliographic citations follow standard rules to identify and describe information sources. Researchers in the Humanities use the style manual published by the Modern Language Association (MLA) in The MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. It is essential to use the most recent edition of the style manual.
Depending upon their area of study, scholars may also use the style manual published by the University of Chicago Press in The Chicago Manual of Style. Always check with your professor for the preferred citation format.
Researchers in natural and applied sciences describe and explain natural phenomena through the formal procedures of observation, description, hypothesis, prediction, and experiment (scientific method).
Reference lists help to evaluate the authority and credibility of an scientific research. Researchers can use references to confirm a scientist's methodology and findings.
Bibliographic citations use standard rules to identify and describe information sources. Researchers in the sciences use The ACS Style Guide, the style manual published by the American Chemical Society. It is essential to use the most recent edition of the style manual.
Common style manuals in the natural and applied sciences also include the American Medical Association Manual of Style: A Guide for Authors and Editors, the style manual published by the American Medical Association (AMA), the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA), and the Scientific Style and Format, published by the Council of Biology Editors (CBE). Always check with your professor for the preferred citation format.
Most performances are collective efforts that involve the work and creativity of more than one person.
Images, texts, objects, and sounds produced by artists oblige the creators and performers to negotiate rights and permissions for their use.
Although no style manual prescribes a proper format for doing so, creative and performing arts professionals must list credits for those who contributed to their work.
For more information about how rights and permissions are negotiated by creative and performing arts professionals, try Copyright Website.
Here are some examples of some ways that you can list credits or incorporate rights and permissions into your work:
- Contact the creator or copyright owner of the image, video, sound, or text you would like to use in your creative work to request permission to do so
- Credit the creator or copyright owner of images, videos, sound, and text when you use their work
- List all members of your creative team in promotional materials
- Comply with the conditions for use set by the creator or copyright owner
If you are a performing or visual artist, the Rights and Licenses page may help you to determine the proper way to cite the contributions of others to your work.
Bibliographic citations follow standard rules to identify and describe information sources. Researchers in Art History use the style manual published by the University of Chicago Press in The Chicago Manual of Style. It is essential to use the most recent edition of the style manual.
Depending upon their area of study, scholars may also use the style manual published by the Modern Language Association (MLA) in The MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. Always check with your professor for the preferred citation format.
Information Has Value
This guide is maintained by the Saint Leo University Library personnel. Please email us if you find any problems with the links or the information. It was created by Trinity College in Harfield, Connecticut. The Library & Information Technology Services of Trinity College deserve our thanks and appreciation for the use of their guide.
Online Citation Support
Online Citation Support
- The library is currently recommending ZOTERO for importing citations, and Zbib.org for creating citations.
- The Purdue Online Writing Lab (often referred to as the OWL) contains a wealth of academic writing resources, including a well-organized MLA guide and APA guide.
Writing Resources by Discipline
General Writing Style
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Booth et al.'s The Craft of Research (E-Book)
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Peter Elbow's Writing with Power (E-Book)
OCLC Summary: "A classic handbook for anyone who needs to write, Writing With Power speaks to everyone who has wrestled with words while seeking to gain power with them. "
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Eric Hayot's The Elements of Academic Style (E-Book)
OCLC Summary: "Hayot does more than explain the techniques of academic writing. He aims to adjust the writer's perspective, encouraging scholars to think of themselves as makers and doers of important work."
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Helen Sword's Stylish Academic Writing (E-Book)
OCLC Summary: "Elegant data and ideas deserve elegant expression, argues Helen Sword in this lively guide to academic writing. For scholars frustrated with disciplinary conventions, and for specialists who want to write for a larger audience but are unsure where to begin, here are imaginative, practical, witty pointers that show how to make articles and books a pleasure to read -- and to write."
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Strunk and White's The Elements of Style (Print and E-Book)
OCLC Summary: "Whether you write letters, term papers, or novels, this famous manual can help you communicate more effectively."
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Business
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Brown et al.s' Writing Marketing: Literary Lessons from Academic Authorities (E-Book)
OCLC Summary: "Marketing is a very diverse discipline, dealing with everything from the costs of globalization to the benefits of money-back guarantees. However, there is one thing that all marketing academics share: they are writers. They publish or perish - their careers are advanced, and reputations are enhanced, by the written word."
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Lomas' Mastering Your Business Dissertation (E-Book)
OCLC Summary: "This short book from an international, best-selling author offers a practical guide to conceiving, researching and writing a business or management dissertation."
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Mizrahi's Writing for the Workplace: Business Writing for Professionals (E-Book)
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O'Gorman and Macintosh's Research Methods for Business and Management: A Guide to Writing Your Dissertation (E-Book)
OCLC Summary: "This updated and revised edition offers a comprehensive overview of key research methods and the main choices available when undertaking research in business and management."
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Creative Writing
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Syd Field's Screenplay (Print and E-Book)  OCLC Summary: "A step-by-step guide from concept to finished script."
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John Gardner's The Art of Fiction  OCLC Summary: "Explains the principles and techniques of good writing, and discusses the seven basic technical matters that beginning writers must constantly bear in mind."
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Natalie Goldberg's Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within  OCLC Summary: "A collection of essays in which the author explores methods of writing based on her experience in Zen meditation."
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Stephen King's On Writing (E-Book)
 OCLC Summary: "Part memoir, part master class by one of the bestselling authors of all time, this superb volume is a revealing and practical view of the writer's craft, comprising the basic tools of the trade every writer must have."
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Ted Kooser's The Poetry Home Repair Manual
 OCLC Summary: "Contains advice from United States poet laureate Ted Kooser on the art of writing poetry with insights and tools to help writing, revising, and practicing."
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Criminal Justice
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Ellis al.'s Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Criminology (E-Book)
 OCLC Summary: "Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Criminology is a core text for criminology and criminal justice research methods courses. It strives to offer a general foundation of knowledge that transcends particular topics or subject areas, allowing students to apply research methods and concepts to a multitude of scenarios.."
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Harrison et al.'s Professional Writing for the Criminal Justice System (E-Book)
 OCLC Summary: "This user-friendly guide to effective writing for the justice system teaches readers to write cogently and accurately across the spectrum of criminal justice-related disciplines."
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Education
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Benjamin's Writing in the Content Areas (E-Book)
 OCLC Summary: "his book provides strategies and tips to help teachers of social studies, science, art, etc. improve the quality of students' writing and apply national and state curriculum standards in your classroom."
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Bromley et al.'s Writing for Educators: Personal Essays and Practical Advice (E-Book)
 OCLC Summary: "This book is for new faculty, graduate students, teachers, administrators, and other academics who want to write more clearly and have their work published. The essays focus on writing journal articles, dissertations, grants, edited books, and other writing in educational settings."
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Science
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Goldbort's Writing for Science (E-Book)
 OCLC Summary: "This exceptional book encompasses the entire range of writing skills that todays experimental scientist may need to employ. Detailed chapters cover every type of science writing, from routine forms, such as laboratory notes, abstracts, and memoranda, to the more complex writing required in dissertations, journal articles, and grant proposals."
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Silyn-Roberts' Writing for Science and Engineering (E-Book)
 OCLC Summary: "Learning how to write clearly and concisely is an integral part of furthering your research career; however, doing so is not always easy. In this fully updated and revised edition, Dr. Silyn-Roberts explains in plain English the steps to writing abstracts, theses, journal papers, funding bids, literature reviews, and more."
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Social Work
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Bolton et al.'s Writing Works: A Resource Handbook for Therapeutic Writing Workshops and Activities (E-Book)
 OCLC Summary: "The use of creative writing as a route to personal development is a powerful therapeutic tool - a fact that is recognized in the growing numbers of workshops and writing groups within professional contexts, including clinical, health and criminal justice settings."
Note: Also useful for some psychology majors.
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Green and Simon's The Columbia Guide to Social Work Writing (E-Book)
 OCLC Summary: "This first-of-its-kind guide features top scholars and educators providing a much-needed introduction to social work writing and scholarship. Forgrounding the process of social work writing, the coeditors particularly emphasize how to think about and approach one's subject in a productive manner."
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Weisman and Zornado's Professional Writing for Social Work Practice (E-Book)
 OCLC Summary: "This invaluable guide helps social workers develop the writing skills necessary for a successful career. Actual examples drawn from all arenas of social work demonstrate strong and problematic writing. Organized around the core social work curriculum, the book's examples are applicable to every foundation course. Each example begins with field notes and proceeds through drafts to the final version, with explanations about corrections."Click here to view this item in the library catalog.
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