Presented by
Michael Frizell, Director
the Writing Center
The skinny…
AMA
Manual of Style, 10th Edition
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Cost: $50 to $60
Weighs 4.2 lbs
1,032 pages
Amazon.com Reviews:
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“Style manuals are written either for editors
or for authors, rarely for both. The AMA
manual is a text only editors could love, it
serves the interests of authors mostly as
an afterthought.”
– Dr. Abel Scribe
“…it never seems to fail that what I am
looking for, I can't find. The Index could
use quite a bit of work. In addition, this text
is quite expensive, in my humble opinion.
..this text is "A Necessary Evil." -- David
Wexler, “Edit Ink”
A review from “Doc
Scribe”…
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From the preface: "I never cease to be amazed by the general
inability of physicians, other health professionals, and scientists to
communicate through the written word. Their scholarly and creative
ideas and insightful data interpretation of them seem to get lost in
the translation from brain to page" (p. v).
The quality of medical writing has dramatically improved since a
young Dr. Michael Crichton (Jurassic Park, tv's ER) wrote in the
pages of the New England Journal that "medical writing is bad, but
its functions are perfectly understandable as a display of scientific
[editorial?] profundity, not as an attempt to communicate
experience" (December 11, 1975;293:1257-1259).
Apparently this malaise, and foot-in-mouth disease to boot, now
afflicts the AMA's editors.
Curmudgeoning aside, is the 1000-page text usable? …if you are
looking for guidance on the most common problems confronted by
a writer, you have a monumental task before you.
Final
Manuscripts
GOAL:
Text page format of essays
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Fonts
 12-point or 10-point font. There is no requirement for the typeface. A serif font is commonly
used in publication (eg, times roman).
Indents
 One-half inch
Spacing
 Double space throughout unless instructed otherwise, such as:
 Single space within the abstract, notes, titles and headings, block quotes, tables and
figures, and references (everything but the main text), double space before and after each
single spaced block.
 Block paragraph spacing is recommended for final manuscripts.
Page numbers
 Every page of a research paper is numbered consecutively starting with the title page. Do
not change numbering systems through the text, even with lengthy data sets or
appendixes.
Emphasis
 Italics
Style of Essay Titles, Headings and
Subheadings Format
Title and Major Section
Centered or Flush Left
Title Case Applies
FIRST LEVEL HEADING
Flush Left
Full Caps
Second Level Heading
Flush Left
Title Case
Third Level Heading
Indent
Title Case
NOTE: The third level heading is a run-in or paragraph heading
In the text…
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Reference authors with superscripts
numbered consecutively.
Reference authors in the text each
time they are mentioned. Use the
same number for a given author as
the first time that author was cited.
Jones,1 Smith2(p.315) and Garcia
and Zabihi3
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Consecutive #’s
Superscripts
Give only the surname(s) of the
author(s) when mentioning the
author(s). If a reference has more
than two authors, use only the
surname of the first author followed
by "et al." If a reference has only two
authors, list both.
Writing Tip:
Journal requirements may vary according
to the journal. Departments may also vary
in their requirements. JADA, for example,
omits page numbers and superscript and
places the reference number in
parentheses. Example: (2)
In the text…
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If a reference is cited more than once, and separate parts of the reference are
used, place the page number in parenthesis following the superscript citation.
Always give the page number when using a direct quote.
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EXAMPLE:
Jones and her colleagues base the treatment approach on more conservative and traditional
norms.2(p.95),4-7
NOTE
• Superscript numerals appear outside periods and commas and
inside colons and semicolons. Hyphens separate consecutive
references and commas separate other parts of a multiple citation.
Journal
Variation
• In text references
often use the
reference number
and omit the page(s)
Direct Quotes in the Paper
Direct quotes (in ? marks) must be cited with the
appropriate reference #
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EXAMPLE:
The report further cited
"lingering confusion about
the vaccination program's
aims."22(p5-6)
NOTE:
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Superscript
Lack of spacing between
citation and text
Reuse original number when
citing the same source more
than once
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EXAMPLE:
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He points out that although
these works are at risk for
"traumatic injuries, noiseinduced hearing loss, needle
sticks, hydrogen sulfide and
carbon monoxide poisonings,
and infectious diseases,"16(p586)
respiratory illness is the most
recognized occupational risk.
Note:
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Space AFTER the citation when it
interrupts text.
In the text….personal
communication…
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…is only cited within
the text, not the
reference list.
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It’s unpublished!
It’s unrecoverable data!
Format
• Date of communication
• Month, Year
• Mode of communication
• Written, Oral
• Highest Academic Degree
Recommended
• Establishes credibility and
reliability
EXAMPLE ONE:
In a thought-provoking conversation
with P. Jafari, MD (June 2005)…
EXAMPLE TWO:
According to the drug manufacturer
(P. Jafari, President, Pharmacorp;
oral communication; January,
2005), news reports of unethical
drug trials…
REMEMBER:
No Citation Number is Necessary!
More personal
communication formats.
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In a conversation with Dr. Awilda
Haskins, PT, EdD (August
2005). . .
According to a letter from Dr.
Awilda Haskins, PT, EdD in
August 2005. . .
Similar findings have been noted
by Dr. Awilda Haskins, PT, EdD
(written communication, August
2005). . .
According to the author (Dr.
Awilda Haskins, PT, EdD, oral
communication, August 2005). .
.
Reference List Basics
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Present references in
the order cited in the
paper on a separate
page…
at the end of the
manuscript…
labeled “References”…
including only those
cited in the text.
Remember: Some Journals
Vary in their requirements!
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Works with no more than six (6)
authors: include all authors'
surnames and first and middle
name initials separated by
commas. Do not use periods for
initials (e.g. Garcia EF, Zabihi
GH. Transmission …).
Works with seven (7) or more
authors: list only the first three
(3) names followed by "et al"
(e.g. Haskins AR, Himburg SP,
George V, et al. Daring to be…).
EXAMPLE: Reference List
References
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Jones AB. Modes of treatment: A traditional approach. Phys Ther. 1999;80:20-26.
Smith CD. Transmission modes and treatment approaches. 3rd ed. Miami (FL): Florida
University Presses; 1999.
Garcia EF, Zabihi GH. Transmission modes. New York (NY): NYU Press; 1999:308-338.
Mohamed IJ. Principles of treatment. In: Needles DD, Thread OE, editors. What it's all
about? Putnam (NY): Happy Days Press; 1998:29-39.
Haskins AR, Himburg SP, George V, et al. Daring to be different: A less traditional
style. Clin Mgmt in Educ. 2000;26(1):9-19.
Abood S. Quality improvement initiative in nursing homes: the ANA acts in an advisory
role. Am J Nurs [serial on the Internet]. 2002 Jun [cited 2002 Aug 12];102(6):[about 3 p.].
Available at: http://www.nursingworld.org/AJN/2002/june/Wawatch.htm. Accessed January
9, 2004.
Wyndham Mount Laurel. Meetings and Conferences Page. Available
at: http://www.wyndhammountlaurel.com/meetings.html. Accessed January 9, 2004.
Refer to recent issues of JAMA & JADA for examples and variations.
The AMA style manual is available in the University library.
References: BOOKS
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Author(s). Title of book and subtitle (if any). Volume number and
volume title (when there is more than 1 volume). Edition number
(do not indicate first edition). Place of publication: Name of
publisher; Year of copyright.
Author’s last name and initials
Chapter titles are included
Book Title NOT in Title Case (Like This!)
Volume only if there is more than one
Punctuation in cite is specific
Examples: BOOKS
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Davis NM. Medical Abbreviations: 26,000 Conveniences at the expense of
communications and cafety. 12th ed. Huntingdon Valley, PA: Neil M.Davis
Associates; 2005:173.
McEvoy GK, ed in chief, Snow ED, ed. AHFS: Drug information. Bethesda, MD:
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists; 2008:1125-1126.
Aronoff GR, Berns JS, Brier ME, et al. Drug prescribing in renal failure. 4th ed. Philadelphia,
PA: American College of Physicians; 1999:39.
Johannsen EC, Madoff LC. Infections of the liver and biliary system. In: Mandell GL, Bennett
JC, Dolin R, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett’s: Principles and practice of infectious disease.
Vol 1. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2005:951-952.
References: PRINT JOURNALS
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Author(s). Article title. Journal Name. Year;volume:inclusive
page numbers.
Use the AMA accepted Journal Abbreviations for the journal’s title
Article title not in title case (except Proper Nouns), but…
Journal Name is in Title Case
Issue month or number
Page numbers
Each element is followed by a period
No spaces between the year, volume, pages
Pages separated by an en-dash
Examples: PRINT JOURNALS
Smith J, Canton EM. Weight-based administration of dalteparin in obese patients.
Am J Health-Syst Pharm. 2003;60(7):683-687.
Note: If the journal does not have a volume or issue number, use the issue date.
Hunter DJ, Hankinson SE Jr, Laden F, et al. Plasma organochlorine levels and the risk of breast
cancer. N Engl J Med. 1997;337(18):1253-1258.
If more than 6 authors, list first 3, then et al
Council on Scientific Affairs. Scientific issues in drug testing. JAMA. 1987;257(22):3110-3114.
The choice of antibacterial drugs. Med Lett Drugs Ther. 1998;40(1023):33-42.
References: OTHER
PUBLISHED MATERIAL
Lamasil [package insert]. East Hanover, NJ: Sandoz Pharmaceuticals Corp; 1993.
Steinmetz G. Kafka is a symbol of Prague today; also, he’s a T-shirt. Wall Street Journal. October
10, 1996:A1, A6.
Clinical Pharmacology [computer program]. Version 2.07. Tampa, FL: Gold Standard
Multimedia; 2003.
Note: Dates associated with various software may be updates or file dates.
WRITING TIP: Mind the capitalization rules for sources!
References: ONLINE SOURCES
Author(s), if give and many times there are none; title of the specific item cited, if any;
name of the Web site; URL; published and/or update, if any; accessed date.
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Same as other sources (in a sense)
Always include the web address (URL) and the date accessed
No underlines! Remove the hyperlink
Include as much info as possible
Make sure your source is credible
Use the words Available at: before the http://...
Use the word Accessed before the date
Example: ONLINE SOURCES
FDA/CEDR resources page. Food and Drug Administration Web site. Available at:
http://www.fda.gov/cder/approval/index.htm. Accessed April 7, 2007.
Clinical Pharmacology Web site. Available at: http://cpip.gsm.com.ezproxy.samford.edu/.
Accessed June 23, 2006.
PDQ® - NCI's Comprehensive Cancer Database. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute; 2007.
Available at: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cancerdatabase.Updated June 9, 2006.
Accessed April 16, 2007.
Simon JA, Hudes ES. Relationship of ascorbic acid to blood lead levels. JAMA. 1999;281:22892293. Available at: http://url. Accessed July 11, 2009.
Mast CT, DeMuro-Mercon C, Kelly CM, Floyd LE, Ealter EB. The impact of rotavirus
gastroenteritis on the family. BMC Pediatrics. 2009;9:11. doi:10.1186/1471-2431-9-11
The DOI: Digital Object Identifier
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The DOI is like a social security number for a source. It is meant to
help readers find the exact source you are referencing.
You can type a DOI into Google and get the exact source.
All DOI numbers begin with a 10 and contain a prefix and a suffix
separated by a slash.
Not all sources have DOIs.
If the source has a DOI, cite it after the rest of the citation is finished:
Brownlie, D. Toward effective poster presentations: An annotated
bibliography. European Journal of Marketing, 41(11/12), 12451283. doi:10.1108/03090560710821161
Helpful Websites and
Sources
AMA Style:
http://www.liunet.edu/cwis/cwp/library/workshop/citama.htm (very basic)
http://healthlinks.washington.edu/hsl/styleguides/ama.html (more detailed)
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/bsd/uniform_requirements.html (very detailed)
Cites Used to Create this Presentation:
http://chua2.fiu.edu/faculty/haskins/PHT6970/AMA%20Style.htm (all the basics)
http://www4.samford.edu/schools/pharmacy/dic/amaquickref07.pdf (comprehensive)
http://www.ajph.org/misc/ama_references.shtml (one of my favorites)
http://www.custom-essays.org/essay_format/AMA_Style_Essay_Format.html (style)
JADA
Home Page:
http://www.adajournal.org/home
Information for Authors:
http://www.adajournal.org/article/S0002-8223(95)00007-0/abstract
THANK YOU!
Contact Information
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Michael Frizell, Writing Center Director
 michaelfrizell@missouristate.edu
 Phone number 417-836-5006
 Office: Meyer Library 112
Writing Center
 First floor Meyer Library – The Bear Claw
 Phone Number 417-836-6398
 http://writingcenter.missouristate.edu
Supplemental Instruction
 http://si.missouristate.edu