Writing guidelines
Writing in American Studies
Strong writing helps you explore ideas, build convincing arguments, and communicate your research clearly. As an American studies student at Skidmore College, you'll develop writing skills through your coursework that will serve you across disciplines and well beyond graduation.
Skidmore writing resources:
Bibliographies
Bibliographies are generally either Works Cited lists (all sources you quoted or paraphrased directly in your paper) or Works Consulted lists (all sources you looked at in preparing your paper).
In the case of either a Works Cited or Works Consulted bibliography, you should be sure that entries are arranged alphabetically and that each entry includes: the author or authors of each source (last name first), the full title, the place and date of publication, and the publisher. All information should be separated by periods.
Examples:
- Marx, Leo. The Machine in the Garden: Technology and the Pastoral Ideal. New York. Oxford University Press. 1964.
- Kerber, Linda. "The Republican Mother: Women and the Enlightenment." American Quarterly 28, no. 2 (Summer 1976): 187-205.
- Bass, Randy. "The American Studies Crossroads Project." September 2001. (internet source)
Footnoting
An American studies writing assignment might require footnoting or endnoting, so students should always consult with their instructors about proper forms of documentation for any project.
In general, however, footnotes and/or endnotes should include the name of the author or authors (first name first), the full title (in italics, if it is a book, magazine, newspaper, journal, or film), the place of publication, the publisher, the date, and the relevant page numbers.
The first time you cite a source, give all the relevant information.
Academic integrity and responsible research
Good research builds on the ideas and work of others. Giving proper credit to your sources is an important part of academic writing and helps readers understand how you developed your arguments.
When writing American studies papers, be sure to cite borrowed ideas, quotations, and research materials appropriately. Skidmore College has academic integrity policies that address plagiarism and the responsible use of sources, and violations can have serious academic consequences.
If you're unsure when or how to cite a source, ask your professor before submitting your work. You can also review the College's academic advising resources for additional guidance.
To request a copy of sample citations or past seminar topics , please email Greg Pfitzer at gpfitzer@skidmore.edu.