Ask a Coach: Toward vs. Towards

Ask a Coach

By Allison Millward, WRMC



Q: I'm confused about usage: which version of this preposition is correct, towards or toward?
                                                                             - Pondering Prepositions in Chantilly, VA

A: This is a good question about prepositions, usage, and--of course--style! The direct answer is this: check your style guide. Some style guides contend there is a distinct difference between the two words and some do not have a preference. Because we use APA style here at VIU, we will use the rules provided by the APA Publications Manual, 6th Edition (2010), which tells us to use the first spelling of the word in the dictionary, preferably Merriam and Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (2005):

"If the dictonary gives a choice, use the first spelling listed; for example, use aging and canceled rather than ageing and cancelled" (p. 96).

With this rule in mind, we will always use toward without an s.

Examples: She is working toward her degree in Spanish.
                He ran toward the light.

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WORD OF THE DAY: Commence

Commence

(verb)

To start or begin

Example:

 The new semester commences at 8 o'clock am today.

Can you use commence in a sentence? Submit a sentence using commence and we'll post it on this blog!

      Use our "APA Style Guide" to help you craft your sentence!


Check out our website: www.viu.edu/wrmc
Make an appointment: http://www.viu.edu/wrmc/services/writing-services/?id=1523
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WORD OF THE DAY: Imminent

Imminent (adj) [more imminent; most imminent]

 :happening very soon 

• We are awaiting the incoming freshmen's imminent arrival.
• The beginning of the school year  is imminent.
• These students are facing the imminent end of summer.

 
      Can you use imminent in a sentence? Submit a sentence using imminent and we'll post it on this blog!

      Use our "APA Style Guide" to help you craft your sentence!
  

Check out our website: www.viu.edu/wrmc
Make an appointment: http://www.viu.edu/wrmc/services/writing-services/?id=1523
Follow us on Twitter: WRMCatVIU

APA STYLE WORKSHOP 11/21/2013 2PM to 3PM

APA style can seem like a daunting task for the uninitiated!  This is especially true if you are used to other formats (Chicago Style, MLA, etc.).  APA takes practice (and patience) to master.  In order to provide you with support and advice, the WRMC is organizing its first APA Style Workshop.  Join the WRMC in conjunction with the School of Education for our workshop on in-text citations and reference list formatting.

Join us on November 21, 2013 from 2pm-3pm in the Student Center on campus at VIU.  Space is very limited and we expect high demand, so you are strongly encouraged to sign up/RSVP with the WRMC well in advance.  You can email wrmc@viu.edu to sign up.  We encourage you to register by at November 20th.

We hope to see you there!

APA FORMATTING MARGINS

The APA manual suggests that you use 1 inch spacing on all sides.  However, the manual also says that you can use the default settings on your word processor (which might not always be set to one inch margins).  We suggest adjusting the margins to meet the 1 inch requirement (unless otherwise specified).

THE SERIAL COMMA

Just like your elementary school teacher reminded you, "Don't forget your punctuation marks!"  However, she might not have let you know that some rules for punctuation are not very cut and dry.  One example of an instance where the punctuation police might differ is the comma.

What do you think about the following examples?  Which one is correct?

• Example A: Italy, Ireland, and France are in the European Union.
• Example B: Italy, Ireland and France are in the European Union.

Actually, both are acceptable, depending upon which rule you subscribe!  Example A uses a "serial comma" (aka "Oxford comma"); whereas, Example B uses no comma.

If you need to know whether to use the serial comma or not, you should refer to which style of writing you choose (or are required to use for a publication or for class).  The American Psychological Association (APA) subscribes to the serial comma (as do The Chicago Manual of Style, The Oxford Style Manual, and the Modern Language Association -MLA).

The general rule for the serial comma is that when you are using items in a series of three or more, place a comma before the coordinating conjunction (and/or).

WHAT IS APA STYLE?

There are many different styles of writing just as there are many fields of study/industry.  Many industries choose to adopt certain styles across the field in order to standardize the way in which articles and research papers are formatted.  This makes it easier to read and understand the structure and flow of a paper.

There are many different style formats that exist.  A few are listed below:
American Psychological Association (APA) Style
Chicago Manual Style
Modern Language Association (MLA) Style
Many institutions adopt one style as a preference over others to standardize the way in which writing is formatted across the institution.  Virginia International University has chosen to follow the American Psychological Association Style (commonly called “APA”).

The current version of APA style is based upon the sixth edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.  There are many resources available to learn how to use APA style.  One excellent resources is managed by the American Psychological Association itself.  Therefore, you don’t need to worry if the information is the most accurate, because it comes directly from the APA.  Check out the “APA Style” website: http://apastyle.org/

For help with APA, please come visit us in the WRMC!  We are here to help.  Visit our website for more resources and to schedule an appointment: http://viu.edu/wrmc.