CSE Style: Formatting Guidelines

If your instructor has his or her own requirements, follow them. These guidelines are the most commonly required.

1. General Formatting
   1. Font
   2. Spacing
   3. Paragraphs
   4. Pagination
   5. Scientific Writing Conventions
   6. Proofreading
2. Subheadings
3. Tables and Figures
4. Title Page

General Formatting

Font

Use Times New Roman or a similar font, 12 point in size with standard 1 inch (2.54 cm) margins.

Spacing

Double-space throughout the essay, including for block quotations (where relevant) and the list of references.

Paragraphs

When beginning a new paragraph, indent five spaces or ½ inch.  Keep the text alignment to the left.

Pagination

All pages should be numbered in the top right corner (use only the number, do not write page, p. pg.). You may include your last name before each page number as a precaution against lost pages: (Bealey 4). Microsoft Word will save you time by numbering every page and will can create a running head of your name and the page number.

Scientific Writing Conventions

Scientific conventions of writing, including mathematical expressions, chemical formulas and taxonomical nomenclature are laid out in detail in the eighth edition of Scientific Style and Format: The CSE Manual for Authors, Editors, and Publishers.

Proofreading 

Don't forget to proofread carefully as well as running a spell check and grammar check. There are many differences among Canadian, American, and British spellings of some words, so choose your preference (Canadian) and make sure your spell check is set to it. Be consistent throughout your essay. Don't spell the word "centre", as "centre" in one place and as "center" in another.

Subheadings

Subheadings help both the author and reader to organize the text.  Headings remain in the original font of the paper, and either centered over the text or located at the left margin. First level headings are capitalized and bolded and second level headings are capitalized but not bolded.  Further details on subheadings can be found in the eighth edition of Scientific Style and Format: The CSE Manual for Authors, Editors, and Publishers.

Subheading Formats

First level: bold capitals and lowercase

Second level: capitals and lowercase             

Third level: italic small capitals                 

Tables and Figures

Label and title both tables and figures.  Tables are labelled “Table 1” and numbered consecutively.  A title, which briefly identifies the data in the table, follows the label; both are positioned at the top of the table. 

The labels, titles and captions for maps, graphs, charts or other images are placed below the figure with consecutively numbered labels.  A title, which briefly describes the figure, follows the label.  A caption offers more detailed information on the figure.

Refer to tables and figures in the text of your paper by their label:

Example:

The tensile strength of the new alloy was double that of the old one (Table 3).

Title Page

1. A title page is required for CSE. The title page should include the full title, writer’s name, name of course, instructor’s name, and date, and all of this information should be centered.
2. Don't underline, italicize, or bold the title, and it is not necessary to put it in quotation marks or in block capitals.
3. The entire title page should be double spaced. Use 12 point black Times New Roman font.
4. Omit a header or a page number on the title page.