Writing Standards
Demonstrating your understanding of the life-changing material presented in each Embassy course is an essential part of completing each assignment. This writing guide has been written to help you become successful as a student. Good written expression is the basis on which your understanding will be assessed; therefore it is necessary that you follow the University guidelines and standards. The guidelines should be applied to all written materials submitted for completion of a course.
Format
All coursework submitted for credit should be double-spaced and in 12 point Times New Roman (this document uses Times New Roman font) or a similar font. Identify the question number, and restate each question before giving your answer. Be sure that all assignments are clearly marked with the course name and number.
Writing Style
Written work should be presented clearly and concisely in a formal expository style. Clear writing comes by clear structured thinking. Observe the basic rules of grammar and punctuation. If you have problems with your writing, two helpful resources are The Elements of Style, by William Strunk and E. B. White, and Keys for Writers by Ann Reimes.
Structure
A well-structured essay has a minimum of three parts: the introduction, where the essay topic is stated, the body of the essay, which consists of several logical paragraphs, and a concise conclusion. Carefully review each of your essays before submitting to ensure that you have included all three components.
Research
Essays for Embassy may require that you conduct research. Your local library can be an inexhaustible source for completing research. Professional library staff members can assist you with research questions and interlibrary loan if needed.
Citing Sources
An essential part of your writing is citation of sources you use. This gives the original author credit and adds credibility to your work. You must acknowledge the source of all content and ideas that do not originate with you; failure to do so is plagiarism. When citing sources, use the MLA format; there are many resources available online and in writing handbooks that can guide you through this process.
Download a MLA Microsoft Word Template
A vast amount of relevant, reliable articles is available online; carefully choose what you use. Select only trusted sites; for example, be sure to review the credentials of the author. When incorporating statistics in your written work, go to the original source; do not necessarily trust someone else’s cited information. In your citation, give as much pertinent information about the site as possible. For example, include the author’s name, the title of the article, the date on which the article was created, and the Web address (the URL).
Coherent Argument
Keep in mind that all supporting facts should substantiate your main premise, assertion, or argument. It is often helpful to prepare an outline of your arguments and essay so that all elements can be written in a logical and organized form.
Answering Questions
When presented with a question that may have two opposing points of view, follow these guidelines: clearly state your view and the opposing view(s), explain why your view is valid, and demonstrate why your view is superior to the other viewpoint(s).
Relevance to the Assignment
Answer the question asked. Identify what you are expected to do and do it according to the instructions. Writing according to the guidelines provided in the assignment description will prepare you to complete assignments with minimal revisions. If needed, select appropriate subtopics implied by the question, and deal with each in turn. This will help ensure that you have satisfactorily answered the entire question.
Descriptions of Writing Assignments
• Essays/Papers
All papers and essays, unless otherwise noted, should be 5–10 pages in length. Each assignment should be written from the perspective of documenting your personal research and understanding in an orderly way that will enable you to easily share your findings with others.
• Reports
A report (500–700 words) is a short synopsis of any valuable information that you or others have gleaned from the course.
• Four-Part Testimony
A vital goal for every believer is to become an effective and persuasive communicator of God’s commands. This is the instruction of the Great Commission: to “teach all nations . . . to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20). Writing out your testimony in four parts allows you to do this quickly and effectively.
In order to convince others of the power of God’s way of life, you must learn how to share testimonies. Explain, in four parts, how you were able to resolve a problem by applying a specific command of Christ.
1. Explain the problem you had. Use general terms so that others can identify with it.
2. Describe how you tried to solve it in your own way and failed. Human solutions made the problem get worse.
3. Tell how you applied a command of Christ. Give detailed information.
4. Report the results of God’s solution. Describe how God honored your obedience to His Word.
• Poll
A Poll Reporting Form can be downloaded and completed. This form is designed to help you easily articulate the answers and information you collect in your polls.