Student Name:___________________

Professor Feedback Sheet for APA format

PLEASE NOTE: Some of the following have been checked ( ) and more specifics are underlined to draw your attention to
these issues for future paper writing. Please speak with the professor individually for more details if required.
I)

_____Title Page: Needs to include your name, and/or ID#, paper title, university, and header (see APA, 2001, p. 10, 296).

II)

_____Introduction: The heading Introduction does not need to be written hereit is known by virtue of its placement
in the paper (see APA, 2001, p. 15-16). The introduction is usually approx. two paragraphs in length and includes a basic
description of the purpose of the paper & how it is organized. It sets the tone for the reader in terms of what is to come in
the pages to follow. The paper title is written above this sectioncentered, upper & lower case letters (See APA, 2001, p.
10-12).

III)

_____Body: The body of the paper should be divided into several logical sections to organize it for the reader. For a
paper of this length, 3-4 sections would make sense. Each section is divided with the use of a heading. See APA, 2001, p.
113-114 for details on appropriate levels of headings.

IV)

_____More Specific APA Issues: Check APA, 5th edition for the following:
_____In-text referencing format pg. 118, 207
_____Try to vary in-text referencing format as it is not so monotonous for reader pg. 118+
_____Paper guidelines required pg. # even when paraphrasing
_____Direct quotations pg. 118
_____Block quotations pg.117-121
_____Citing secondary source pg. 247, #22
_____Referencing multiple authors pg. 208, section 3.95
_____Referencing personal communications pg. 214, 350
_____Use of et al. Pg. 208-209j)
_____Seriation pg. 116+
_____When to use numbers in numerical vs. written form pg. 122-126
_____Unit length (sentence/paragraph) too long/too short (one sentence usually does not make a sound paragraph) pg.
36, section 2.03
_____Economy of expression pg. 34
_____Percentage symbols pg. 140
_____Plurals pg. 130
_____Abbreviations in text pg. 104, section 3.21
_____Latin abbreviations with punctuation pg. 106, section 3.24
_____Indentation of paragraphs pg. 289
_____Page #s & Page Header pg. 288, section 5.06

V) _____Writing Style: Check a basic writing/grammar text for the following common errors (APA, 5 th edition also notes a
number of thesesome are cross-referenced):
_____Run-on sentences
_____Incomplete sentence
_____Lack of parallelism (usually in listing or in several issues separated by commas) pg. 60, 117
_____Improper punctuation (comma, apostrophe, quotation mark, colon, semicolon) pg. 80-81
_____Sentence structure backwards/awkward sentence structure
_____Lack of subject/verb agreement pg. 44
_____Dangling modifiers pg. 50-51
_____Incorrect word use pg. 36-37
_____Avoid colloquial expressions pg. 37
_____Check SPELLING!!!
_____Incorrect capitalization
_____Try to minimize the number of direct quotations included in the papergets monotonousvary style with
paraphrasing, etc.
Ryerson University School of Nursing 2005-2006
Adapted by Maria Kjerulf
(Developed by Charmaine Mrazek, 2001)

_____Never end a sentence with a preposition!

_____Avoid use of contractions in formal writing
_____Try to reserve the use of states (in an in-text reference to anothers work) for direct quotations onlytry:
suggests, notes, reports, etc. instead
_____Watch level of formality of languageshould be formal for a term papernot casual.
VI) _____Organizational/Program Focus/Content:
The purpose of this exercise was to help you practice skills in literature research & writing. This paper was supposed to
assist you to analyze one or more external variables that shape the vision, mission, operations, and/or desired outcomes
of a health service organization or program. The focus of this paper clearly needed to be on the analysis of these
variables. In addition, systematic application of the principles of strategic management using a theoretical framework
needed to be included. It was paramount that you demonstrate critical thinking in your writing by critiquing the
organization/program and analyzing this in relation to the selected framework. Your ideas relative to what the
frameworks have suggested were also supposed to be included here. This paper was not merely an exercise in
researching and paraphrasing others workyou were required to analyze and synthesize the information so that the
professor is sure that you understand and can critically apply the concepts in practice. It is important that you critically
analyze what authors present in an effort to make sense of the literature and the identified issue and identify the research
and knowledge gaps. Implications for the organization/program should always be drawn as you read & write about
theory (the GUESS WHAT? & SO WHAT?).
VII)

_____Conclusions:
This is the final section of the paper before the reference list. Usually three-four paragraphs in length. It completes and
stabilizes the structure of your paper. It should leave the reader with a specific impression of the point that your paper as
a whole has made. Often the conclusion will reiterate the ideas and intent of your introduction, it should not repeat it.
The author mentions in this section not only the general ideas of the introduction, but also several of the most important
specifics from the body of the paper (McDougal, Laya, & Garber, 1981, p. 46). Your conclusion needs to be succinct
and strong to pull the paper together for your reader. Do not introduce new material/thoughts at this point (APA, 2001,
p. 26).

VIII)

_____Reference List:
See sample list on pg. of APA, 5th edition for format. You were not using the 5th edition format (APA, 2001). For
example: Incorrect referencing of internet sources (APA, 2001, p.268+).

IX) _____Academic Honesty:

Recheck the Academic Calendar for this policy. You are/are dangerously close to committing plagiarism. This is serious
and puts your education here at Ryerson in jeopardy. Even paraphrasing anothers work requires that you give them
credit by sourcing it (see APA, 2001, p. 349-50, 395). Paraphrasing and using others work is a learned skill. It can be
challenging when you are beginning your academic education. You will need to pay attention to this in your future work.
X) _____Writing Centre:
I strongly suggest that you consider using/ continue to use the Writing Centre and/or the Student Success Centre for
assistance.
________________
Maria Kjerulf/Sharon Paton
American Psychological Association (2001). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (5th
edition). Washington: Author.
McDougal, J., Laya, K., & Garber, E. (1981). Building English skills: Purple level. Evanston, Illinois: McDougal,
Ryerson University School of Nursing 2005-2006
Adapted by Maria Kjerulf
(Developed by Charmaine Mrazek, 2001)

Littell & Company.

Ryerson University School of Nursing 2005-2006

Adapted by Maria Kjerulf
(Developed by Charmaine Mrazek, 2001)