Style Sheet and Academic Writing

Please note: The guidelines found in the two files below give you general information on how to write module papers in American Literature and Culture at the University of Potsdam. Please always consult the advisor of your module paper for details.

How to Write an Essay (New Version)

  • Essay Writing Guidelines (PDF 210KB)

  • This handout freshens up your skills for writing Hausarbeiten/research papers and essays by giving you some pointers. It is concerned with the content of your writing; for formal questions, please consult the corresponding Style Sheet for Academic Writing. This handout will give you brief advice on your thesis statement, introduction, arguments, and your conclusion, as well as on the use of sources and general stylistic choices.

Style Sheet (New Version)

  • Style Sheet (PDF 195KB)

  • This style sheets supplies you with guidelines for the formal set up of Hausarbeiten/research papers and is based on the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 8th ed.,. Further rules can be found in the MLA Handbook, which should be consulted for cases that have not been addressed by this style sheet.