Writing a Technical Source Paper
A course in applying APA paper format

Students in technical and vocational fields usually have to master a style guide other than the Modern Language Association (MLA) style that is commonly used in English classes. The most common alternative is the APA paper format.

(APA stands for American Psychological Association. The APA's Publication Manual is the standard style guide for many disciplines besides psychology that insist on the most up-to-date data.)

Writing a Technical Source Paper is ideal for homeschooled students who are taking a technical course such as science, computer studies, business or a vocational course at a community college. Students write short essays and a short research paper for credit in their technical course.

In the technical writing course, the students learn how to write those essays and research papers. Specifically, students learn how to

• Use published source materials appropriately.
• Plan and organize their writing around a thesis for maximum efficiency in research.
• Use APA paper format to guide readers to where they can find those source materials.
• Follow the APA paper format for layout elements.
• Revise and edit their work prior to submission.

By the end of the course, students will have written and edited three sourced essays and one longer research paper, all in APA paper format. Students submit those papers to their technical course instructor for evaluation and feedback.

Because of the guidance students receive in the technical writing course, the instructor of the student's companion course should not have to be bothered with "English errors" or student failure to follow APA paper format.

I'm sure you have questions about the course. Some of the more frequently asked ones are answered below. If you'd rather have your information in a printable form, you can download a pdf file instead.

• What does the course cover?
• Who should take this course?
• What does the course cost?
• How much English credit is the writing course worth?
• How are the writing course and technical course integrated?
• How large are the classes?
• Can students do the work at their convenience?
• What equipment must students have?
• Why must students attend an orientation session?
• Do students have to buy any books?
• How do you grade?
• What does the course cost?
• How do I apply?

What does the technical writing course cover?

The course stresses writing skills students must know rather than minutia they can look up. Students learn how to plan a paper, how to present evidence, and how to use the APA paper format. Students will learn strategies and tools suitable for most nonfiction writing situations, which will make them more efficient writers.

Students will have at least one written assignment a week during the course. Students will write three 400- to 800-word sourced papers and one longer research paper of 1,500 to 3,000 words.

Who should take this Writing a Technical Source Paper?

I developed Writing a Technical Source Paper for upper level high school students whose interests lean toward pragmatic activities. Students whose interersts are in fields like science, medicine, engineering, business are likely candidates for the course.

(I also offer a course similar to Writing a Technical Source Paper designed for students with interests in artistic and literary topics.)

Students must apply to take the course so I can see what their interests are, how they would fit into the class, and how I might be able to work with them.

How much English credit is the writing course worth?

A half year of high school English credit is appropriate for this course.

How are the writing course and technical course integrated?

Students must submit contact information for the companion course instructor as part of their application. Wherever possible, I will attempt to coordinate my instruction with that of the technical course instructor; however, I cannot adjust the course to the requirements of any individual technical course instructor.

I will teach students APA paper format skills so the companion course instructor can concentrate on teaching the technical content. Students should work with their technical course instructor to identify appropriate writing topics early in the course.

How large are the classes?

Writing a Technical Source Paper classes have 6 to 16 students. If fewer than 6 students pay their security deposits by the deadline, I will cancel the class.

Can students do the work at their convenience?

Writing a Technical Source Paper is not a correspondence course. Students must attend the live online sessions when they are scheduled.

Early in the term when students are learning a process for preparing a paper and doing short writing activities (usually less than a dozen sentences), students have live sessions three days a week. As students' writing assignments get longer, students have a single live session alternating weeks.

The fall 2009 schedule is shown here, with dates of the live sessions highlighted in yellow.

Students can use the online class forum throughout the course at their convenience. I will check it regularly to answer questions and give informal instruction.

What equipment must students have?

The live sessions will be held at WizIQ.com. Students need a free WizIQ account and

• Computer with Internet access (preferably high speed) and enough memory that they can keep a text editor (like Notepad) open during online sessions
• Speakers and microphone,
• Keyboard
• E-mail account they check regularly

Why must students attend an orientation session?

The orientation gives students a chance to see what the course format is like, try out their equipment, and ask questions before they pay any money. Students can hit the ground running when the technical source paper course opens.

Do students have to buy any books?

No. All required materials will be available online.

How do you grade?

I assign a end-of-course grade based on students' ability to employ a strategic writing process and on how well they handle the conventions of academic writing. Students are expected to get feedback on the content of their paper from their instructor in the companion course.

What does this writing course cost?

Writing a Technical Source Paper tuition is $300, which covers the cost of the orientation, 15 live classes, asynchronous forums, and evaluation of written work.

A security deposit of $100 is required. The remaining $200 tuition is due by the end of the first week of class. If a student withdraws prior to the first class session, $75 of the deposit will be refunded.

All payments go through PayPal. Since I have a PayPal account, you don't need to establish your own.

How do I apply?

Students fill out a simple online form.

Still have questions?

The best source of information about APA paper format is the APA itself.

Use my handy form to submit questions about the Technical Source Paper course, or any of my other online student courses.

Click for the course application form.