Clear, logical, and organized writing is an essential skill for social work professionals. As a graduate student, you are expected to use the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Assocation (“APA style”) to prepare your written assignments for SSW classes. You will use APA style to format your papers and cite your references.
Where To Find Help
UNC-Chapel Hill Writing Center
Writing coaches at UNC-Chapel Hill Writing Center work with students face-to-face or online at any stage of the writing process, for any kind of writing project. The center also offers online resources for tips about many common writing challenges. Please consult with our School’s faculty for other assistance.
Additional Resources
APA Style and Citations
- APA Style Blog Site — official companion to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 7th Edition
- Purdue OWL (Purdue University)
- APA Citation Style (George Washington University)
- APA Quick Reference Guide, 7th Edition (UNC School of Social Work)
- How to cite archival sources
- How to cite the DSM
- How to cite legal materials
- How to cite webinars and web videos
Writing Clearly and Effectively
- How to write a great paper
- Building a logical argument
- Organization and outlines
- Writing clear, concise sentences
- Quoting and paraphrasing
- Using seriation and parallel structure
- Cut the jargon
- Using transitions properly
- Writing effective conclusions
- Revising drafts
- Effective proofreading
Understanding Plagiarism
Librarians from UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke University, North Carolna Central University and North Carolina State University collaborated to create an interactive site that focuses on how to recognize plagiarism and how to avoid it.
