Abnormal Psychology

The George Washington University (Spring 2016)

Guidelines for WID Writing Assignments
WHAT ARE THE WRITING ASSIGNMENTS AND THEIR PURPOSE?
The writing assignments are applications of your growing knowledge of abnormal
psychology and one of the venues through which you will be taught to write & think like a
clinical psychologist. Specific instructions, due dates, etc. will be included in each assignment
guide and on the syllabus schedule. The purpose of the program is to promote scholarship and
critical thinking in all schools of the undergraduate programs. The first year student takes
University Writing-20, which must be passed with a C- or better, and two subsequent courses
known as Writing in the Discipline (WID) courses. Ideally taken in the students major during
his/her sophomore/junior years, the WID courses are intended to expose the student to modes of
written communication in that major and involve the student in frequent, intense writing with
editing and rewriting to improve both learning and communication. The program mandates the
following skills:
1. How to write for a variety of audiences and communicate through several forms of writing.
2. How to use writing as a means for engaging in research and developing analytical skills.
3. How to revise and edit drafts, individually and in collaboration with peers and faculty.
4. How to structure and organize writing, use documentation and styles of argumentation with
different specific disciplines.
Columbian College of Arts and SciencesGeneral Curriculum (G-PAC)
Objectives:
According to documentation from Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, critical
thinking refers to the analysis and evaluation of complex informationthat is systems of theory
or thoughtas well as the formulation of logical arguments based on that analysis. Students will
be able to:
1. Analyze and evaluate abstract information
2. Understand and analyze scholarly literature and argument, particularly with respect to
theoretical orientation and sources of support.
3. Formulate a logical argument based on that analysis.
The Psychology Department, in response to the above listed goals has added the
following objectives. At the end of the course, students will be able to:
1. Analyze, evaluate, and compare major theories in abnormal psychology.
2. Understand and analyze research (e.g. original research studies, summaries of research,
specific data or observations) in abnormal psychology, with particular attention to the nature and
quality of research studies in abnormal psychology, the role of theory in interpreting data, and the
role of data in evaluating and refining theoretical positions and arguments.
3. Formulate logical and organized arguments and conclusions based on analysis of theories
and/or research data.

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WHAT ARE THE WRITING LABS? As explained in the syllabus, each of you will attend
writing labs designed to support the writing assignments and provide an interactive small group
setting to integrate the writing with the content of the course. The labs, seven scheduled
throughout the semester, are in lieu of additional pages expected by the University Writing
Program and the final two classes in the course. For each lab you attend you receive one (2)
points up to a maximum of twelve (12) points. You cannot make-up a missed writing lab.
WHAT IS THE INDIVIDUAL LEARNING PLAN? During the first third of the semester you
will work with the preceptor in developing an individual learning plan that will focus on specific
areas you want or need to improve on in your writing. You receive twelve (12) points for meeting
with the preceptor and turning in your completed ILP.
WHAT ARE THE POLICIES? You will submit all assignments, unless otherwise stated (e.g.
the first paper), via Blackboard under the WID Assignments folder. Your assignments are to
be: PC compatible, Windows platform, Microsoft word format. Late assignments are subject to a
penalty as specified in the assignment guidelines. The period to which a penalty applies is from
the designated due date, including weekends and holidays, until I receive it.
HOW WILL THE PAPERS BE GRADED? Writing assignments will be graded on the quality
of the: (a) grammar, (b) content, (c) format, and (d) APA style. Some additional grading criteria
may be included in the instructions with each assignment. I will use the scale below:
Percentage of Points
90% of the maximum points or higher
80% through 89.99% of the maximum points
70% through 79.99% of the maximum points
60% through 69.99% of the maximum points
59.99% or lower

A
B
C
D
F

Grade
Outstanding work
Good solid work
Average to good work
Poor work
Failure

GRAMMAR: All final drafts will be graded on grammar. Make sure you proofread your paper.
The grading for grammatical and/or typographical errors is found on the grading form and rubric
sheets for each WID assignment:
CONTENT: All final drafts will be graded on content. Essentially this means:
(a) How well you responded to the intent of the assignment.
(b) The quality of the research
(c) The quality of the critical thinking (See Handout on Critical Thinking in Abnormal
Psychology and Handout on Applying Critical Thinking to Writing)
(d) The quality of application of the course material
(e) A good balance of sources:
(1) Evidence of primary sources (secondary sources may be used in conjunction).
(2) Only reputable WEB sources.
(3) Current sources (not prior to 2005 unless otherwise permitted).
FORMAT: All final drafts will be graded on format through the following conventions:

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TITLE PAGE: The title page conforms to standard college usage and should include at a
minimum the following: (a) your name, (b) the date, (c) the title of the paper, and (d) the intended
audience or follow the model provided.
TYPED DOUBLE SPACED: The font should be equivalent to Times New Roman, size 12,
black ink.
MARGINS: The margins should be one inch all sidesthere should be 25 to 27 lines (250 words)
per page.
PAGE NUMBERS: The title page is not numbered. Use Arabic numerals (1,2,3, etc) for all pages
including references page, appendices, and/or pages with charts, graphs, etc.
LENGTH & NUMBER OF PAGES: Your paper should have the requisite number of pages. If the
paper is within 90% of the minimum or maximum, I will not deduct points.
CHARTS, TABLES, GRAPHS, ETC.: Any charts, tables, graphs, etc. must follow APA style set off
boxed style with a line full-width of the paper on the top and bottom and as many lines as are
needed. Label (e.g. Table 1, etc.) it appropriately, give it the appropriate title, place it neatly on
the page, and cite the source if not your own work. It must fit onto one page; do not wrap it
around into the next page.
REFERENCING SOURCES IN THE BODY OF THE PAPER: Cite the sources of ideas not your
own (except common knowledge) by author and date in order to avoid plagiarism.
QUOTATIONS: Quotations must follow the APA style.
REFERENCES PAGE: The last page of your paper should be the references page. All references
should be double-spaced, the first line indented like a paragraph. All entries should be
alphabetized by author (or first author if the reference has multiple authors). For works that have
no author, incorporate them into the alphabetical sequence by title (as though the title were an
author). Follow APA style.
FORMAT: All assignments must be in Word format. If you write in PDF (or other format) make
sure you convert before you upload.
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION (APA) STYLE: Each discipline
has its own unique writing style. Psychologists follow the standards established by the American
Psychological Association (APA). This style, however, is built on the firm foundation that the
writers content is clear, logical, and well organized and his/her English grammar is sound. The
appendices give examples of most of the conventions you will need for your papers. You can also
find APA style via Gelman Library web site: Research Guides, Style Manuals, American
Psychological Association (APA) Format.