Formatting your essay/report

TYPES

Classic

Serif typeface

Longer paragraphs and
no space between them

Paragraph identations

Modern

Sans serif font

Shorter paragraphs and
line spaces between paragraphs

No identation

BASIC STRUCTURE

Title page without any decorations

Margin of 2-3 cm

Paragraphs doble space and 1 point
line between them

Font plain serif size 12 or 14

Number the pages - Pagination

Appendices: Go after the reference list
(They must be numbered)

GUIDELINES FOR HEADINGS

Only when allowed or required

Makes the organisation more manageable

Use minimal or maximal capitalisation

Left justify your headings unless asked to do differently.

Decide on a hierarchy of headings and use it consistently throughout your work.

WORD COUNT

A limit of 10% above or below the stated word count is often acceptable, but always check this with your unit coordinator

INCLUDE

The full text of the assignments

Footnotes

In-text references

EXCLUDE

Title page

Headers

Abstract

Reference list

Appendices

CAPITALISATION STYLES

MAXIMAL

The first letter of every
important word should
be capitalised.

The first
word after a colon is
always capitalised.

MINIMAL

Capitalise the first word,

Any other word that would
normally take a capital

And the first word after a colon.