DOCUMENT STYLE
Most organizations require a style in written material that is uniform,
standardized and, for the most part, user friendly. While uniformity is a common goal,
clarity of expression, through the proper use of grammar and syntax, is an essential
goal as well. The diaconate formation program team members have not previously
required a standardized system, although some instructors have set mandates for
written material. This document demonstrates the style formats which you will be
required to use henceforth in outlines, narratives, and references.
For our purposes in the formation program, we will use parts of two long
established, widely used systems: Modern Language Association (MLA) and Chicago
Manual of Style (CMS). You may wish to refer to the original sources (1) (2), but this
document provides information that you need to prepare papers and reports for
formation courses. It will be useful, in conjunction with the original sources, for
material that you prepare in ministry in future.
Appendix A shows the format for outline preparation. We suggest that you use
it for your draft preparations and require you to use it for all submitted outlines.
Appendix B shows the format for submission of narrative written material. All
material will be in Times New Roman 12 Font, double spaced with one inch margins.
Cover pages and title pages are not used unless specifically requested by the
instructor.
Appendix C shows the format for endnote references (footnotes are not used).
Place all Sacred Scripture references in the text. At the end of numbered references
cite a single biblical translation reference. Keep in focus that this instruction material
is a simplification for your use. As you prepare more and more material (in the
formation process and as you minister to God’s people) you will find it necessary to
become more familiar with the original
sources.
(1) http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/home.html
(2) http://www.mla.org/
APPENDIX A
The descending parts of an outline are usually labeled as follows.
I.
A.
1.
a.
(1)
(a)
(b)
(2)
b.
2.
B.
II.
Logically, there should be a “II” to complement a “I”, a “B” to complement an
“A”, and so on. If the outline is so short that a second alpha-numeric is not required, a
simple bullet format can be used.
APPENDIX B
The first page contains identifiers and title, and begins the narrative. Your last
name appears in the right upper corner of each page with page notation, ½ inch from
top. Your full name, instructor’s name, course name, and date appear at the left
margin. The title appears centered, next on the first page. Only last name and page
number appear in the remainder of the paper (right upper corner).
-------------------------------------------top of the page ------------------------------------------
Watt 1
Ebenezer Watt
Thomas Edison
Electron Pushing I
15 January 1889
Adventures in Electron Pushing
The joy of pushing electrons, as demonstrated by Mr. Edison . . . . . . . . . .
APPENDIX C
Any source which can be described, excerpted, or referenced in any way, can
appear in cited works. The original sources show in great detail how the references are
to be noted. For simplicity and brevity, we show the most common sources that you
will use.
Select one format, use it throughout the paper.
Book format:
MLA
Aquilina, Mike. The Fathers of the Church: An Introduction to the First Christian
Teachers. Exp. ed. Huntington: Our Sunday Visitor, 2006.
CMS
Aquilina, Mike. 2006. The Fathers of the Church: An Introduction to the First
Christian Teachers. Huntington: Our Sunday Visitor.
Magazine format:
MLA
Phelps, Edmund. “Economic Justice and the Spirit of Innovation.” First Things.
October 2009: 27-31.
CMS
Phelps, Edmund. 2006. Economic Justice and the Spirit of Innovation. First Things
#196:27-31.
Electronic format:
MLA
Weigel, George. “An Immigration Debate Primer.” Denver Catholic Register Online.
19 May 2010. 19 May 2010 http://www.archden.org/index.cfm/ID/3990
CMS
Weigel, George. 2010. An Immigration Debate Primer. Denver: Denver Catholic
Register. http://archden.org/index.cfm/ID/3990.
Remember – insert reference # in text, reference page # at end of citation.
