A Comparison of Disciplinary Writing Features

 

	Method of Organization Approach Preferred Documentation Voice Preferred Sciences and Technology headings objective: 3rd person pronouns CBE (biological)CHE (chemical) passive Social Sciences headings objective: 3rd person pronouns APA; Chicago (preferred by some history, religion depts.) active or passive (depends on purpose) Humanities and the Arts transitions subjective at times; 1st person for opinions MLA active     Tense Preferred Tone Style Sciences and Technology past tense for experiments; present tense for results formal factual; may use specialized vocabulary Social Sciences past tense for literature reviews; present tense for recommendations formal factual; may use specialized vocabulary Humanities and the Arts historical present tense for references to literature formal or informal, depending on audience and purpose may use figurative language, humor, anecdotes, dialogue
	© 1999, 2000 Virginia Bower (Mars Hill College), Charlene Kiser (Milligan College), Kim McMurtry (Montreat College), Ellen Millsaps (Carson-Newman College), Katherine Vande Brake (King College). All rights reserved. This manual was made possible by a Culpeper grant from the Appalachian College Association; click here for information. If you encounter difficulties with these web pages, please notify kmcmurtry@montreat.edu.