Creating Word Macros Using Macros to Provide Feedback on Graded Papers Macros are a fast and efficient way

to provide substantive feedback. Macros allow you to populate papers with rich comments by clicking one keystroke. To use macros you must first program comments into your computer. Once you program your comments (called macros), all you have to do is click one keystroke to populate your paper with a comment. To program your comments as macros, follow the instructions below: Creating Macros in Word 2003 1. Open a new MS word document. 2. Click on Tools, Macros, Record New Macro 3. Click on Keyboard. In the Press New Shortcut field hold down the Ctrl key and type a letter of the alphabet. For example, if you want to program a comment about references, you could hold the Ctrl key and type the letter R. 4. Click on Assign 5. Click Close. Creating Macros in Word 2007 1. Open a new MS word document. 2. Click on Developer, Record Macro 3. Click on Keyboard. In the Press New Shortcut field hold down the Ctrl key and type a letter of the alphabet. For example, if you want to program a comment about references, you could hold the Ctrl key and type the letter R. 4. Click on Assign 5. Click Close. A tiny box will appear in the upper left-hand side of your screen. When you see that box, type one of the comments below or a comment you create. Do not copy/paste. When you are finished typing your comment, click on the small blue square in the upper left-hand corner of your screen. You just created a macro! Repeat the process for as many comments as you would like to program.

Using Macros with the Insert Comment Feature When you are in a Word document activate the Insert Comment feature. Put your cursor in the comment bubble. Hold down the Ctrl key and type the letter you assigned to a particular comment. The comment will populate in the comment bubble. Below is a list of comments that address common student errors. As a participant in this training you are authorized to program these comments into your computer and use them to provide feedback.

The way to cite sources in APA is to use the author date method. For example, Jones (2000) stated to be a leader you have to have followers. When quoting directly include page number. For example, Jones (2000) stated, "to be a leader you have to have followers (p. 20).

No need to quote here. You should quote only when an author has said something so important, you couldn't possibly say it better in your own words. Otherwise paraphrase instead. Before quoting directly, ask yourself the following questions: 1. 2. 3. Are the authors words so original that I couldnt say the same thing in my own words? Are the authors words so important or powerful that they give authority to my paper? Is the language or vocabulary too technical to translate into my own words?

If you answer no to any of these questions you should put the authors language into your own words and cite your source.

You should write all academic papers in third person. This means avoiding pronouns like I, me, you, your, our, ours, us and we since these pronouns reflect either first person plural or second person. You are being a bit too wordy. LESS IS MORE IN GOOD WRITING. Eliminate unnecessary words and make your writing as tight and concise as you can. You are making this statement without citing a source. RULE OF THUMB: whenever the reader can ask SAYS WHO? you should cite a source. See your APA manual to learn how to properly format a title page. Do not capitalize every letter of the article or book title in the reference list.

You are writing in passive voice. Strive to write in active voice. Active voice means the subject of the sentence is performing the action. If the sentence does not contain a subject you are probably writing in passive voice. For example, students must study is active because students are performing the action of studying. Studying must be done is passive because there is no subject performing the studying. TRICK OF THE TRADE: if you start your sentence with the subject you will most likely be writing in active voice. If there is no subject, add one, and begin the sentence with the subject you added. Passive Example: time must be managed Active: students must manage time. If you have a compound sentence (two sentence joined by and or but), both parts of the sentence must be in active voice. Passive Example: Every day I go to work, and tasks must be completed. Every day I go to work is active but tasks must be completed is passive because there is no subject performing the tasks. Active Example: Every day I go to work, and I must complete tasks.

<specific date> is in the past so you have to cite in past tense. Jones (2004) STATED not states because 2004 is in the past.

Make sure your language is academically appropriate. This means using a more formal vs. casual tone. For example, instead if saying kids say children, instead of saying deal with say manage. Using academic language also means avoiding clichs like bridging the gap, head over heals and other overused expressions. Finally, academic language does not mean using big or fancy words but using the simplest, clearest language to express your ideas.

Strive to develop your ideas more. This means using ample supporting points to back up the main point of a paragraph. A well-developed paragraph should have at least five sentences. Paragraphs that contain any less probably could use more information to support your main idea. Do not use words that reference time like currently and today. What if someone read your paper next year? It would not be today anymore :) You are using an anthropomorphism which means you are assigning human characteristics to an inanimate object. For example, you can't say...failing grades must be repeated because failing grades is an inanimate object. You can say: Students who earn failing grades must repeat the class.

Do not refer to articles you are summarizing as "the articles" or refer to an author as "the author" or by gender such as he or she. Always use the APA author/date method. So instead of saying the author stated, the articles stated or he stated say Jones (2002) stated.