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Many aspects of written assignments vary from discipline to discipline (area of academic study such as Psychology, Biology, History, Business, Education, etc.). Writing within a discipline requires that you become familiar with what kinds of writing that discipline considers to be appropriate. 

A good strategy to use to get familiar with how to communicate in a discipline is to try to read things written by experts in that field. However, it is always best practices, regardless the discipline, to check with the instructor which style is preferred for each assignment.

For more information about how to develop an argument, see the Writing Strategies module.

The study of Anthropology asks students to abandon ethnocentrism and to consider and understand cultural perspective. In many Anthropology assignments you will be asked to question cultural norms and assumptions, analyze and interpret ethnographic data, and critically review theoretical perspectives and cultural perspectives.

Citation and Reference styles may differ based on the instructor’s wishes. However, if no preference is given for the assignment than either MLA or APA is generally accepted. Unless otherwise requested, footnotes or end notes are not generally used for in-text citations. Consistency in style and format is key so be sure to use the same format throughout the assignment.

Source: Johnson, Melissa. Southwestern University Guide to Writing in Anthropology. Southwestern University. https://www.southwestern.edu/live/files/4165-guide-for-writing-in-anthropology-pdf 

Citations and References: APA Style Guide

Symbols and Abbreviations: CSE Council of Science Editors Style Manual

Writing Support: Student Success Centre Writing Support

Also see Biology Library Guide for more information

Effective writing skills are key to business communication. Students in Business Administration will need to learn how write in a variety of forms including email correspondence, reports, briefs and presentations. Business students will also need to be keenly aware of their audience in all written material. 

Business Administration classes generally use APA format guidelines. 

Source: Rickgarn, Heather. Writing in Business Administration. Southwest Minnesota State University, https://otb.smsu.edu/sections/section2-disciplinary-perspectives/business-admin/business-admin-writing.html

Citations and References: ACS American Chemical Society

Symbols and Abbreviations: CSE Council of Science Editors Style Manual

Writing Support: Student Success Centre Writing Support

Also see Chemistry Library Guide for more information

Citations and References:

ACM Association for Computing Machines

IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

APA American Psychological Association

Writing Support: Student Success Centre Writing Support

Also see Computer Science Library Guide for more information

Economic writing is mathematical in its discourse and is quite unique in comparison to other forms of writing. The key to good economic writing is clarity. Clear, direct and concise language is key for communicating your research effectively. Economics writing relies on a great deal of technical writing backed up by a great deal of research and analysis.

Some other aspects of Economics discourse to consider:

1. Active Voice – economics is all about facts and numbers, active voice insures a more direct assertion and statement of those facts
2. Positive Statements – adding a negative qualifier to your sentence can create unnecessary confusion and bulk. (eg. Instead of “Don’t forget to bring your textbook to class.” Say “Remember to bring your textbook to class.”)
3. Omit Needless Words – Less Is More
4. Tense consistency – whether you choose to speak in past, present, or future tense, it is important to maintain consistency throughout

The field of economics relies on models which explain established economic phenomenon (ex. supply/demand or cost/benefit analysis). These models are often mathematical in nature and demonstrate a predictable relationship between two variables. The application of models assists economists in producing a workable and predictable hypothesis which can then be tested for accuracy and efficacy.

Much of the research gathered will be empirical data. As such, writing in economics requires clearly communicating empirical evidence and how it relates to the hypothesis.

Format and citing for Economics uses the AER (American Economics Review). AER relies on author’s name and publication date for in-text citations. Instructors may also indicate other citation styles preferences including APA (American Psychological Association) and Chicago style for assignments.

Source: Neugeboren, Robert & Mireille Jacobson. Writing Economics. Cambridge, MA: The Presidents and Fellows of Harvard University, 2005. https://writingproject.fas.harvard.edu/files/hwp/files/writingeconomics.pdf

Writing in Education contains various styles and formats greatly depends on the intended audience. It is therefore important to consider the intended goal and outcome for every assignment. Education assignments often take the form of 4 distinct styles, these include:

1. Reflective Writing: these assignments require thinking back to particular event during coursework. Reflective papers are intended to be personal and can include individual thoughts, beliefs, or feelings about the material and coursework.
2. Analytic Writing: this style of writing is much more formalized than reflective pieces. Analytic writing often revolves around a particular article or book and asks for thoughtful consideration of the material. Analytical writing requires a thesis, or argument, which is followed up with supported by evidence collected through research.
3.  Persuasive Writing: It is especially important in persuasive writing to know and adapt to the intended audience because that will have the most impact in persuading the reader of the argument being made. Being aware of any common ground the argument might have with the audience will also be an asset in persuasive writing. 
4.  Procedural Writing: procedural writing is frequent in advanced education courses and often take the form of lesson or unit plans. Procedural writing involves the step-by-step instructions needed to carry out an intended task or goal. Procedural writing needs to be detailed but concise, and easy to understand. Specific instructions for carrying out these types of writing assignments are usually provided ahead of time.

Most education classes use APA (American Psychological Association) format and style. However, always check assignment instructions for style requirements before starting. For more information on APA citations and style, please click on this link.

Source: Marbel, Stephen, Guide for Writing in Education. Southwestern University. https://www.southwestern.edu/live/files/4171-guide-for-writing-in-educationpdf#:~:text=If%20you%20can%20get%20the,analytic%2C%20persuasive%2C%20and%20procedural.

Engineering, like many other disciplines, rely on style guides for practical and effective communication. Engineering students will encounter a variety of academic writing styles and formats. Some of these styles may include, American Chemical Society (ACS), American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Organizations will frequently refer to company-specific style manuals for producing technical documents, correspondence, and presentations. It is important to pay attention to assignment instructions to determine the preferred style and citation method preferred by the instructor.

Some general guidelines for technical writing.

• Single spacing
• Left justification; full justification is preferred for theses, dissertations, and journal articles.
• One blank line between paragraphs OR indented paragraphs with no blank line between
• Serif font (Times New Roman), 12 pt. font size. When documents are written for electronic media, however, a Sans Serif font (Calibri or Arial) is typically used.
• One-inch margins. Margins may need to be adjusted when using company letterhead or when binding formal reports.

Acronyms are common in scientific and technical writing. However, not all acronyms are universally understood. In academic writing, acronyms are first introduced in their full form with their corresponding acronym in parentheses, eg. American Chemical Society (ACS). The acronym alone can be used afterward. Commonly used and understood acronyms such as US or RADAR can be used without spelling them out

Source: Technical Writing Standards. Utah State University, https://engineering.usu.edu/students/ewc/writing-resources/technical-writing-standards.   

The University of Regina’s English and Creative Writing Department has developed their own comprehensive style sheet.

Film writing can serve a variety of functions. Writing assignments may be used to help the writer better understand the viewer’s response to a film, convince others why a film is or is not worth viewing, introduce or explain a particular film genre or a film produced by a particular artist, compare/contrast two or more movies in order to understand them better, and make cultural connections to film. Films are often used as a multidisciplinary connection with other Arts fields such as Literature, History, Philosophy, or Anthropology because movies hold so much cultural significance in society.

Film courses often use the Modern Language Association (MLA) style for formatting, references, and citations. However, always check with assignment instructions and/or your instructor for any changes in requirements.

Source: Corrigan, Timothy. A Short Guide to Writing About Film, 4^th Ed. New York, NY: Longman, 2001.

There are three main citation styles used in the Geography field, Council of Biological Editors (CBE), American Psychological Association (APA), or the Modern Language Association (MLA). The instructor for each course will discuss which style they prefer for assignments.

Lab work commonly requires detailed lab reports. Some instructors will provide lab sheets for each assignment while others will require the purchase of a lab book. Either way, it can be helpful to refer to the lab report sheets ahead of time to familiarize and plan ahead for future course work. Objectivity is crucial to lab assignments. Be aware of any individual biases or preconceived expectations that may interfere with the findings.

Scientific reports must be accessible to the reader. Separate sections with headings are commonly used in scientific lab reports to make them more accessible.

Posters are another way to convey research findings and information. They can be used for field projects, lab work, seminars, conferences, and departmental open-houses. Basic elements of a presentation poster include, subject title, author(s) and affiliation, textual material (including statement of problem, research methodology, data used, evidence, results, and conclusion), visual material (including maps, graphs, tables, photos, etc.), short list of important references. Poster presentations should be eye-catching, visually interesting, and easy to read. The font should be visible from a distance (particularly titles and headings). Keep word count of written material short and concise (no more than 450 words).

Source: Northey, Margo & David B. Knight. Making Sense: A Student's guide to Research and Writing - Geography & Environmental Sciences, 2nd Ed. Don Mills, ON: Oxford University Press, 2001.

History courses use the Chicago Manual of Style for all references and citations. This style utilizes footnotes and endnotes for in-text citations. The Department of History has provided a Guidelines of Footnotes and Bibliography.

Indigenous studies seek to reflect and understand the Indigenous experience and break down the barriers of ethnocentrism prevalent in Canadian culture. Elements of Indigenous Style : A Guide for Writing By and About Indigenous Peoples by Gregory Younging is an excellent guide for those seeking to write about Indigenous Peoples and offers suggestions for approaching your writing in a respectful and culturally appropriate manner. As Indigenous studies seek to learn the Indigenous perspective, it is important to be mindful of the appropriate terminology. Chapter Six of Elements of Indigenous Style guide provides some recommendations for culturally appropriate terminology. Below are some other resources to help determine best practices for Indigenous terminology.

Indigenous Foundations - UBC 

Queens University - Indigenous Knowledge and Perspective 

Government of British Columbia - Terminology in Indigenous Content  

For a list of popular keyword searches for Indigenous Studies research assignments, please see FNUniv Library’s Popular Subject Searches Guide

Source: Younging, Gregory. Elements of Indigenous Style: A Guide for Writing By and About Indigenous Peoples. Edmonton: Brush Education, 2018.

Journalism is all about communicating effectively with the public. It is therefore essential to adhere to consistent style which is transparent, current, professional, and respectful. Canadian journalists refer to the Canadian Press Style Guide to ensure a quality standard of press coverage is achieved in all forms of media. The Canadian Press (CP) and American Psychological Association (APA) style guides generally used for most Journalism assignments. However, it is always best practices with all courses to check with the instructor which style is preferred for each assignment.

Justice Studies assignments are typically written in the American Psychological Association (APA) style format. For any legal citations, Justice Studies courses refer to the Canadian Guide to Uniform Legal Citation (also sometimes known as the McGill Guide). Here is a brief guide to the rules of Canadian Legal Citation (available from the Royal Roads University Library libguide).

Source: Legal Citation. Royal Roads University, 2021. https://libguides.royalroads.ca/legal_citation

Kinesiology is an interdisciplinary study and therefore its written style comes from a variety of related fields, including biology, chemistry, physics, math, and health. With that said, most Kinesiology assignments will be written in American Psychological Association (APA) format. Ask the course instructor or refer to assignment instructions to determine which writing style is preferred for each assignment. 

Kinesiology often relies on scientific research. It is important to be familiar with scientific writing styles. Below are some resources for scientific writing.

Scientific Writing Made Easy: A Step-by-Step Guide to Undergraduate Writing in the Biological Sciences

Types and Conventions of Scientific Writing – Queen’s University

Scientific Writing: Thinking in Words – D.R. Lindsay

Source: McLean, Scott. Guide to Writing in Kinsiology. Southwestern University, https://www.southwestern.edu/live/files/4174-guide-for-writing-in-kinesiologypdf 

LaCite has developed a style guide specifically for French language classes. A research guide for French courses is also available through the Archer Libguide.

Written assignments in language courses are primarily used to sharpen your written communication skills and to demonstrate an understanding of the material. 

An assignment unique to language classes is the Phonetic Transcription. This type of assignment asks students to analyze the spoken language and is used to demonstrate and apply acquired knowledge regarding the various sounds of spoken language and possibly variations in regional dialect.

International Modern Language Association (MLA) and American Psychological Association (APA) style formats are most often used in Language classes. However, check with the course instructor or assignment details for clarification.

Source: Ross, Katy. Guide for Writing in Modern Languages and Literature. Southwestern University. https://www.southwestern.edu/live/files/4176-guide-for-writing-in-modern-languages-and

Mathematics writing, much like scientific and technical writing, requires a highly standardized set of writing rules in order to effectively communicate ideas and concepts within the field. It is therefore a skill that takes plenty of patience and practice to master as a student. A guide to writing in mathematics is available through the University of British Columbia’s mathematics department website.

It is the quest of every artist to deeply understand and connect with the work they are performing. It is therefore important for that artist to dive deeply into the material and understand it from several different perspectives.

Some general formatting rules in music:

• First person (I, me) and second person (you) are to be avoided.
• Generic titles and epithets are not italicized but proper titles are.
• Proper titles of movements within a larger work are listed in quotation marks.
• Liturgical titles are not italicized but are capitalized.
• Upper-case letters should be used for all pitch names.
• Musical symbols need to be written out in their true form (Musical symbols are available in the MS Goth font for word documents)

Chicago Manual of Style (CMS) citations is most often used for music assignments. Be sure to refer to the assignment or the instructor for which citation and format style is appropriate for each assignment.

Source: Herbert, Trevor. Music in Words: A Guide to Researching & Writing about Music. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2009.

Cooper, Michael. Guide for Writing in Music. Southwestern University. https://www.southwestern.edu/live/files/4428-guide-for-writing-in-musicpdf

Nursing requires students to assimilate and understand a great deal of information and engage in with new ideas and procedures. Academic writing aids nursing students in the process of learning to think critically and assess new ideas systematically and thoroughly. Written assignments in nursing courses primarily rely on the American Psychological Association (APA) style for formatting and citation guidelines. For other nursing research and writing resources, please see our nursing library guide.

The main goal of Philosophy writing is to critique a philosopher’s arguments or present a new philosophical argument to the academic conversation. Philosophy essays rely on proving arguments to the reader. Philosophy writing, in the undergraduate level, is written for an audience of those who are unfamiliar with the topic but can follow along with the arguments presented.

Some general guidelines for Philosophy writing include:

• First person writing is welcomed in Philosophy writing.
• Over-generalization should be avoided.
• Strive for a neutral tone. Over-emotional or overly opinionated writing is not encouraged.
• Be kind and fair with others positions and arguments. See it for its strengths as well as its weaknesses.

Philosophy classes primarily use the American Psychological Association (APA) or Modern Language Association (MLA) style formats for citations and references. However, check the assignment or the instructor for specific formatting style requirements. Footnotes are generally discouraged in Philosophy writing.

Source: Wilson, Guidelines for Writing a Philosophy Paper. Department of Philosophy, University of Toronto Scarborough, 2016. https://philosophy.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/jessica-wilson-guide-philosophy-writing-utoronto.pdf

The primary goal of writing in Physics is to clearly communicate the author’s calculations or experiment findings. Writing assignments may also used as a learning tool to better understand various physical theories, models or calculations. Physics writing is highly structured and guided by the scientific process. There are several forms of Physics writing assignments, including:

Lab Reports: Depending on the instructor’s preference and assignment requirements, graphs, tables and figures may be found either at the end of an assignment or scattered throughout the report wherever it is most relevant.  A lab report consists of the title, author(s), date, abstract, experiment description, data and analysis, results, conclusion, and references.

Term Paper: Papers should be formatted and cited using American Institute of Physics (AIP) style guidelines. For formal essay assignments figures, tables, and graphs should be embedded within the paper at the appropriate points.

Capstone Paper: a formal final essay which is assigned at the end of a particular program (ie, bachelor’s degree or certificate program). It is often part of a larger research project which demonstrates the acquired skills and training received throughout the program. The instructor or department will provide the specific requirements for this specific style of paper.

Poster Presentation: used as an alternative to formal essays, poster presentations are a engaging way to present research, calculations, or experimental findings to an audience of peers. Ideas must be organized, concise and detailed but not wordy. Figures, graphs, and tables are all great ways to visually convey information on posters. Keep any written observations, explanations, analysis and conclusions brief and visually appealing. Poster assignments are often accompanied by a brief presentation to explain your findings to the audience.

Source: Bottorff, Mark. Guide for Writing in Physics and Dual-Degree Engineering. Southwestern University. https://www.southwestern.edu/live/files/4179-guide-for-writing-in-physicspdf

As Political Science and International Studies students, it is important to develop strong communication skills. Written assignments are used to effectively strengthen those skills.  

Citations and references acknowledge the work of others and is necessary for all academic writing. The most common citation style used in Political Sciences and International Studies is APA (American Psychological Association) however, Chicago/Turabian, and MLA (Modern Language Association) are also frequently used. Be sure to check the assignment’s instructions and the course instructor to see which citation style is preferred.

When citing court proceedings or decisions, the Canadian Uniform Guide to Legal Citation (aka The McGill Guide) is used.

Psychological writing follows the same principles and goals as other scientific fields. It seeks to communicate innovative ideas, theories, and experimental findings. 

Some conventions of Psychology papers include:

• Bias-Free language – refer to people as they would themselves.
  • Gender specific language – do not use male pronouns as a generic term.
  • Disability and afflictions – do not identify or define people by their disability or disease.
  • Refer to a person(s) by who they are rather than who they are not.
  • In referring to a person’s sexual preference do not use blanket terms such as homosexuals, rather refer specifically to their sexual orientation (eg., gay, lesbian, bisexual).
• Avoid jargon whenever possible.
• Use headings and sub-headings.
• First person should only be used when referring to the author of the paper and should be used sparingly.
• Use active voice, avoid passive voice whenever possible.
• Use participants, not subjects, to describe people who took part in research studies.

The standard citation and style guide used in all Psychology courses is APA (American Psychology Association)

Source: Olson, Kristina & C.A. Meyersburg. A Brief Guide to Writing the Psychology Paper. Harvard College Writing Centre, 2008. https://hwpi.harvard.edu/files/hwp/files/bg_psychology.pdf

Religious studies courses are primarily concerned with understanding all things related to religion. It strives to do so from a neutral and unbiased perspective. Religious studies classes contain a variety of viewpoints and perspectives to consider and reflect on. Additionally, religious studies classes often use other fields of study, such as history, philosophy, or language, to better understand the complexities of religious theology and practice. As a result of utilizing these other fields, it is possible to encounter a number of formats and citation styles in religious studies classes. Some citation styles commonly used in religious studies classes include SBL (Society of Biblical Literature), APA (American Psychological Association), MLA (Modern Language Association), and Chicago Style.

Source: Northey, Margot, Bradford A. Anderson & Joel N. Lohr. Making Sense: A Student’s Guide to Research and Writing: Religious Studies. Don Mills, ON: Oxford University Press, 2012.

“Theological Research and Writing”. Toronto School of Theology LibGuides, 2025. https://guides.library.utoronto.ca/c.php?g=732068&p=5259585.

Sociology and Social Studies are primarily concerned with society and human interactions. Writing assignments allow students to thoroughly process and think through ideas and concepts. Spending time researching, organizing, writing and revising a written assignment allows the writer to spend time with the material and to engage with their ideas and the ideas others regarding the topic.

The citation styles most commonly used in Sociology and Social Studies is APA (American Psychological Association). AAA (American Anthropological Association), ASA (American Sociology Association), and Chicago Style may also be used depending on the type of assignment or the instructor’s preferences. Always consult the assignments instructions to ensure the correct citation style will be used for each assignment.

Source: Harris, Angelique & Alia R. Tyner-Mullings. Writing for Emerging Sociologists. New York, NY: SAGE Publications, Inc., 2013. https://casls-regina.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01CASLS_REGINA/1g3evkr/alma9917331353803476

Social Work requires writing for variety of audiences. It is important to know the audience for each assignment before you begin to write. Many Social Work assignments require writing in the first person as it expresses the personal experience. It is important, however, to maintain formal and academic writing when using first person. Social Work assignments most often follow APA (American Psychological Association) style of writing, and all citations and formats need to follow their guidelines.

Sources: Deahl, Simone. Tips for Writing in Social Work: Structure and Format. King’s University College, https://www.kings.uwo.ca/kings/assets/File/academics/ml/writePlace/socwork/Tips-for-Formating-Social-Work-papers.pdf

Jane Bottomley, Patricia Cartney & Steven Pryjmachuk. Academic Writing and Referencing for Your Social Work Degree. St Albans, GB: Critical Publishing Ltd., 2018. 

Writing in theatre captures and documents live performance. It can discuss past performances and imagines future performance. Depending on who the writer is in relation to the performance (or script) impacts the types of written assignments required. Writing assignments may be required in acting, dramaturgy, stage management, costume design, set design, or audience.

Most theatre assignments rely on MLA (Modern Language Association) style for formatting guidelines, citations and references. However, it is a good idea to check with the course instructor for specific style guidelines.

Source: Costola, Sergio. Guide for Writing in Theatre. Southwestern University. https://www.southwestern.edu/live/files/4182-guide-for-writing-in-theatrepdf

Writing about art creates a process in which to thoroughly explore thoughts and emotions related to a particular piece, artist, or genre. It is also a way to test personal interpretations of art and critically assess art.

Chicago style is most widely used formatting and citation style for Visual Arts. However, AB (Art Bulletin) style and MLA (Modern Language Association) style is also sometimes used. Check assignment instructions and/or the course instructor to determine which style is best for each assignment.

Source: Sayre, Henry M. Writing About Art. 3^rd ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall Inc., 2009. https://casls-regina.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01CASLS_REGINA/1igebl9/alma9922156093803476

Women's and Gender Studies is an interdisciplinary field which can include aspects of a variety of arts and science subjects, and so the research and writing methods used will vary according the the focus of a particular course or assignment. Similarly, the approach a particular instructor takes will determine the most appropriate style guide. Women's and Gender Studies classes have used Chicago style – generally used for fields related to the social sciences and humanities, MLA (Modern Language Association) style – most often used for humanities subjects such as English Literature, and APA (American Psychological Association) style for formatting and citations – used most often for social, natural, and health science fields. For more information about writing and researching in Women's and Gender Studies see WGST: Getting Started.