Air university style and author guide

Assignment Title

By

Name

Course Name

DD MMM YYYY

Instructor: (Instructor’s Name)

Air Command and Staff College

Distance Learning

Maxwell AFB, AL

Effective, purposeful communication is essential in the military profession. Following these instructions will help you properly complete your Air Command and Staff College (ACSC) writing assignment and will improve your chances for success.

This template exemplifies the format for ACSC essays. Each essay must include a properly formatted cover page (see above), double-spaced text, Times New Roman 12pt font, 1-inch margins, as well as full endnote-style citations for paraphrasing and quotations in accordance with the Air University Style and Author Guide, Section 5.5. Endnotes are not counted as part of your total word count. The Air University Style and Author Guide, Appendix A provides examples of endnote formats. Do not include a bibliography in these short essay assignments; however, ensure your full endnotes contain all source information.

Your essay submissions must be your original work—your individual effort. See the Student Handbook for the ACSC plagiarism and academic integrity policies. When you paraphrase, you must credit sources by identifying them with endnotes. Use quotation marks when you quote directly from the work of other writers. This is a relatively short assignment, so use block quotations sparingly to allow your own original thoughts to shine through.

You may notice minor variations between your consolidated lesson readers, which require different endnote formats. Some bundle the readings into a single document with continuous pagination (see example endnote 1 at the end of this document). Other lesson readers retain each author’s original pagination (see example note 2). You should use the author’s original pagination wherever it is possible to do so. Remember, cite any material used from the instructional narrative portion of the consolidated lesson reading file with “Air Command and Staff College” as the author (see example endnote 3).

The midterm and final essay exams are academic papers; write each in a narrative style, not a bullet/point paper. Refer to the assignment rubric located in your Grade Center for grading criteria. If you have any questions, contact your course instructor.

Much like your next level of leadership, the ACSC program requires effective writing founded on critical thinking and communication skills. Each essay you write as you progress toward graduation provides an opportunity for you to hone these abilities. Additionally, these assignments comprise a large portion of your final grade in each course. Therefore, successful course completion is contingent on your writing performance. The most effective essays are analytical, well-organized, and incorporate innovative ideas supported by course materials. Adhere to this guidance to maximize your potential for success.

Notes

� Lawrence Freedman, “Makers of Modern Strategy from Machiavelli to the Nuclear Age,” in Warfare Studies Lesson 4, (Maxwell AFB, AL: ACSC 2014), 33.

� Lt Gen Larry D. James, “Airmen: Delivering Decision Advantage,” Air & Space

Power Journal 26, no. 6 (November/December 2012): 4-11.

� Air Command and Staff College, Airpower Studies Lesson Three, (Maxwell AFB, AL: ACSC 2013), 26.