Case Study

ADJUTANT GENERAL SCHOOL

Effective Writing Handbook for NCOES

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Adjutant General School Effective Writing Handbook

SECTION I: GENERAL

1. Instructors will grade assignments on both content and grammar. The minimum passing score is 80 out of 100 points. Instructors will mark errors using the grading scale in SECTION III. Repeated errors, such as the same misspelled word, will count only once. When grading assignments, instructors will deduct points for major and minor errors as follows:

2. Students scoring less than 80% on an assignment must rewrite the assignment. Students may rewrite each assignment only once and may not rewrite more than three assignments during the course. Students will retain the original failing score for grading purposes.

3. Instructors will determine final grades by averaging the scores for all required written assignments. Writing scores do figure in the academic grade point average. Additionally, the Academic Evaluation Report (AER) reflects a written communication skills rating.

4. Instructors will deduct 10 points for a late assignment. If an assignment is more than 48 hours late, the student will receive no more than 80%. If you anticipate turning in an assignment late, talk to your instructor.

Superior

Satisfactory

Unsatisfactory

90 - 100

80 - 89 79 and below

Major Errors = 5 points

Minor Errors = 2 points

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SECTION II: CHEATING AND PLAGIARISM

1. You must do your own original work. Each assignment is a take-home/out-of- classroom assignment.

2. Students may discuss assignment topics and are encouraged to have another student proofread, edit, and/or read their drafts or final documents prior to turning them in.

3. The chain of command will handle all incidents of cheating. Incidents of cheating or plagiarism may result in elimination from the course.

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SECTION III: GRADING SCALE

MINOR ERRORS (- 2 POINTS) MAJOR ERRORS (- 5 POINTS)

Comma Splice (CS) Logic (LOG)

Non-Parallel Sentence (NON II) Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF)

Awkward (AWK) Failure to Follow Instructions (FFI)

Misplaced Modifier (MM) Passive Voice (PAS) Incorrectly Identify a Sentence as Passive

Repetitive (REP) Spelling (SP)

Word Choice (WC) Subject-Verb Agreement

Punctuation (PUNC) Organization

Capitalization (CAP)

Unclear or Vague

Awkward Verb Tense

Spacing Errors

GENERAL GUIDANCE

1. There are one spaces after a colon, a period, and after the state and before the zip code in an address.

2. There is one space after a comma or a semicolon. 3. Do not use abbreviations in your assignments for the Adjutant General School

unless you define them first. There are no abbreviations in addresses unless specifically stated in the chapter.

4. Always use AR 25-50 as the reference for proper format. 5. Look under chapters for specific guidance for letters and memorandums. 6. Express military time and dates appropriately. 7. Know your rules for punctuation and capitalization. 8. Spelling does count. 9. All military correspondence is in Arial 12 point.

10. Signature blocks begin at the center of the page. 11. Margins are generally always 1 inch on all sides.

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SECTION IV: ACTIVE VOICE

1. The Army goal is to limit the use of passive voice. Limited use of passive voice is the course standard (one passive sentence per page). You must highlight any occurrence of passive voice. If you highlight a sentence that is not passive, you will have points deducted. Here are some reasons why the Army stresses the use of active voice rather than passive voice.

a. Active Voice – subject performs the action Passive Voice – subject receives the action

b. Active Voice – is more concise (about 20 percent) Passive Voice – tends to be wordy

c. Active Voice – gives emphasis to writing Passive Voice – is vague

d. Active Voice – gives directness Passive Voice - is awkward

e. In the active sentence, the doer of the action is up front.

f. In the passive sentence, the doer is usually at the end of the sentence.

For example:

The report was typed by the clerk. (Passive voice)

The clerk typed the report. (Active voice)

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ACTIVE VOICE

2. To determine if a sentence is active or passive, you can test it using the three warning flags of passive voice. You MUST have two warning flags for the sentence to be passive voice. Many will answer all three flags.

a. The first step in identifying passive voice is to see if the form of the verb “to be” is present. The verb “to be” has eight forms:

You should memorize these eight forms. This will help you recognize passive voice.

Note: “has, have, had, will, must, and shall” ARE NOT forms of “to be”.

b. If a form of the verb “to be” is present, you next determine if a past participle of an action verb follows the “to be” verb. You can recognize the past participle by its ending. The usual endings for past participles are:

Example: picked, told, given, shown, taught, proved, held, written, thrown, hit

Some common irregular forms of the past participle are made, rung, done, and sunk.

Note: Verbs ending in “-ing” (writing, giving) are NOT past participles. They are present participles and do not create passive voice.

c. Finally, if the sentence has a “to be” verb and a past participle, insert “by whom?” after the verb phrase and see if the doer is at the end of the sentence or unknown. Sometimes, the preposition “by” will appear in a sentence. “By whom?” asks who was the doer, who taught her.

Example: “She was taught very thoroughly.” “She was taught (by whom?) very thoroughly.”

-ed -d -en -n -t

am is are was were be being been

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ACTIVE VOICE

d. Be careful here. Some sentences may look like passive voice because they show the first two warning flags. Consider the sentence:

Example: I am tired. I am pleased with your performance. I am married.

It meets the first two criteria, but it does not meet the third. This sentence, and others like it, DESCRIBE something rather than indicate action. It is a state of being, not an action. Make sure you check each warning flag to determine passive voice.

e. When using the three warning flags of passive voice, think of it as a formula:

f. A common mistake is to think that passive sentences occur only in the past tense. Passive sentences can occur in all tenses (past, present, or future). For example:

The jeep will be driven. Future tense The jeep is being driven. Present tense The jeep was driven. Past tense

3. Now that you can recognize a passive sentence, you must know how to change it to an active sentence. There are three methods of doing this.

a. METHOD #1: Put the doer up front - The most common method is to put the doer up front. Look at this passive sentence:

The doer (SGT Brown) is at the end of the sentence. Rearrange it with the doer up front. This is now an active sentence. The preposition “by” will identify the doer.

“to be” + past participle + “by whom?” = Passive Voice

I am required by my boss to attend. He is required by his boss to attend, too. They are given the tests by their teacher. She was shown the answers. They were not taught very thoroughly.

Example: -P- The report was submitted by SGT Brown. -A- SGT Brown submitted the report.

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ACTIVE VOICE

b. METHOD #2: Drop part of the verb - A second and less common method of changing a passive sentence to an active sentence is to drop part of the verb. In certain situations, this can be a very effective technique. Look at this example:

You can change this to an active sentence by dropping the verb “held”. Not all passive sentences lend themselves to change through this method.

c. METHOD #3: Change the verb - The final technique of changing a passive sentence to an active sentence is to change the verb. Look at this sentence:

By completely changing the verb, you can make this an active sentence. This method and the other two methods are quick and easy ways to change passive voice to active voice.

Example: -P- The meeting was held at Ft. Sill. -A- The meeting was at Ft. Sill.

Example: -P- He will be required to attend. -A- He will have to attend. -A- He must attend.

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PRACTICAL EXERCISE 1: Identify Passive Voice

Requirement: Determine whether the following sentences are in the active voice, passive voice, or describe a state of being. If it is passive, circle the form of the verb to be and underline the past participle. Identify “by whom” when applicable.

______ a. He loaded the tent and stove into the jeep trailer.

______ b. The firing chart was constructed by the sergeant.

______ c. The evaluation will be submitted on 1 November.

______ d. The funeral was held in December.

______ e. The correction will be made to the report tomorrow.

______ f. Three protective masks were found in the truck.

______ g. The Soldiers were sent to the motor pool.

______ h. CPT Blackmon signed the memorandum yesterday.

______ i. I am tired of getting up at 0600 every day.

______ j. I received my commission from the University of Kentucky in May of 1989.

______ k. I am required by my boss to attend the graduation.

______ l. Soldiers are not permitted to participate in the following activities.

______ m. I am pleased to award you the Regimental Gold Coin.

______ n. He scored 300 on every PT test in the course.

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PRACTICAL EXERCISE 2: Change the Passive to Active Voice

Requirement: Change the following sentences from passive to active voice.

a. The test is being taken by the student.

b. The bank was robbed by bandits.

c. Your desk must be reorganized.

d. The memorandum must be submitted to me by 1500.

e. The Soldier's record was placed in the wrong file drawer.

f. The student can be found in room 208.

g. All officer evaluation reports must be received no later than 1 October.

h. The student will be required to pass all mission critical subjects.

i. The memorandum will be changed by tomorrow!

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SECTION V: CAPITALIZATION

When to capitalize and when not to capitalize is a question many writers often ask themselves. When in doubt, do not capitalize. The following table outlines general capitalization rules from AR 25-50:

WHEN TO CAPITALIZE WHEN NOT TO CAPITALIZE

1. The beginning of each sentence or phrase in a list.

1. Proper names in common usage.

bourbon whiskey india ink scotch tape

2. The names of military and Federal organizations.

US Army Reserve US Army US Congress Reserve Component the Army the Congress

2. The names of publications, divisions, and parts when used in text.

appendix C figure 7 paragraph 9 chapter 1

3. The names of military units when referring to a specific one.

Company B 16th Battalion 8th Division

3. The names of military units when not referring to a specific one.

company battalion division

4. General terms used to represent the military services or Federal Government.

The Government Armed Forces the Services

4. General categories of Army publications.

field manuals Army regulations technical bulletin DA pamphlet

5. Military titles when used before a proper name or unit.

Commander, Company B CPT Trulock, Commander The Battalion S1, CPT Britt Warrant Officer Boyle

5. Official titles when not used with a proper name.

The commanding officer of the post. See the battalion S1 about the form. A captain must attend the advanced course.

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CAPITALIZATION

WHEN TO CAPITALIZE WHEN NOT TO CAPITALIZE 6. The word “state” when used with the name of a State or when used alone to mean one of the 50 States.

New York State a State State law

6. The first word of a sentence included within a sentence.

Bound publications (see glossary in AR 310-1) are organized by sections and paragraphs.

7. All words in titles of publications and documents except articles, prepositions, and conjunctions. (a, an, the, at, by, for, in, of, on to, up, and, as, but, if, or, and nor)

Some other common capitalization rules:

CAPITALIZE DO NOT CAPITALIZE Adjutant General Officer Basic Course officer basic course

Adjutant General Officer Advanced Course

advanced course

US Army Airborne School airborne school

Adjutant General’s Corps the corps

Civil War the war

Union Army the union

Confederate Army the confederates

Reserve Officers’ Training Corps

Bachelor of Arts degree in history bachelor’s in history

Bachelor of Science degree in computers bachelor’s in computers

Bachelor of Arts degree in English bachelor’s in English

Bachelor of Business Administration master’s in education

South Carolina University the university

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SECTION VI: PUNCTUATION

Experts agree that some rules of punctuation are governed by personal judgment, but there are certain basic principles of punctuation. The principles of punctuation that you should use in military writing are the following:

1. Apostrophe.

a. Use it to form the plural of letters, numbers, and words used as words.

b. Use it to show possessive case.

c. Omit the apostrophe when forming the plural of abbreviations and acronyms.

2. Comma.

a. Separate two main clauses joined by the coordinating conjunctions and, but, or, nor, for, yet. The comma may be omitted before the coordinating conjunction if the main clauses are short and closely related.

b. Separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses in a series.

c. Separate coordinate (equal rank) adjectives.

d. Set off introductory adverbial or adjectival clauses or phrases.

I’s A’s S’s and’s if’s Z’s

Soldier’s anyone’s day’s hour’s

PSBs TDYs TOEs CDRs

You may prepare a page insert by completely retyping both sides of the printed page, or you may prepare a page insert by using the cut-and-paste method.

We will administer tests on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

We will consider only intelligent, alert candidates for appointment in the academy.

Having written your publication, you are now ready to coordinate it with interested agencies.

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e. Set off the title, position, or organization following a person’s name (or name equivalent).

3. Period.

a. If a parenthetical expression following a sentence is itself a complete sentence, place the period inside the parenthesis.

b. If a parenthetical expression at the end of a sentence is not itself a complete sentence, place the period outside of the parenthesis.

c. Place a period after each phrase or sentence in a list.

4. Semicolon.

a. Place between two closely related main clauses not joined by a coordinating conjunction.

b. Place before conjunctive adverbs (such as, for example, however, otherwise, therefore) when used to connect main clauses.

c. Place between items in a series when commas are used within any of the items.

5. Quotation Marks.

a. Always put a comma or period inside quotation marks.

b. Always put a semicolon or colon outside quotation marks.

CPT Brown, Battalion S4, will order the meals for the field training exercise.

Submit the following forms with your manuscript: a. DA Form 260. b. DA Form 260-1-R. c. DA Form 1167.

The board is composed of a chairman; representatives from ODCSLOG, ODCSPER, and ODCSOPS; and commanders of the ACOMs.

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SECTION VII: NUMBERS

The following general rules apply for writing numbers:

WHEN TO USE FIGURES WHEN NOT TO USE FIGURES 1. Whole numbers of 10 or more.

15 missiles 200 soldiers

1. Spell out numbers under 10.

six missiles three soldiers

2. Age:

5 years old

2. Spell out numbers under 100, if they precede a compound modifier containing a figure.

twelve 8-inch guns two 1/4-inch boards

3. Dates:

July 26, 1945

3. Spell out indefinite expressions.

the early sixties in her seventies

4. Time 1 month 2 days 3 weeks

4. Spell out numbers beginning a sentence.

Fifty-four airplanes are on the ship. Five years ago he got married.

5. Measurement

10 meters, 1 gallon, 5 miles

5. Numbers referring to armies and Army areas.

Fifth US Army, First US Army

6. Unit modifiers:

6-hour day, 3-day week

6. Use Roman numerals for corps.

V Corps, XVIII Airborne Corps

7. Percentage:

6 percent

7. Use ordinal numbers for divisions, brigades, regiments, battalions, companies, and detachments.

Note: Use 2d not 2nd, 3d not 3rd 1st Battalion, 2d Platoon, 3d Battalion

8. Groups of numbers in a sentence where one of the numbers should be expressed as a figure.

I have 2 apples, 3 oranges, 12 bananas, and 21 grapes.

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SECTION VIII: ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS

Established abbreviations are acceptable in all but the most formal writing. Use only well known abbreviations. The following general rules from AR 25-52 and AR 25-50, Chapter 1, Section III, apply to abbreviations:

1. First Time Use: If you want to use an abbreviation that may not be familiar to the reader, the first time you use that abbreviation you must spell out the term fully and follow it with the abbreviation in parenthesis.

NOTE: Do not capitalize the term, unless it would normally be capitalized.

2. If you require brevity, abbreviate months when used with day, or year, or both.

3. Normally, you will not abbreviate days of the week, but if you must, use the following forms:

4. Do not use a period after an abbreviation or a brevity code unless it ends a sentence or it is listed in the Government Printing Office Style Manual with periods.

Example: The publications stockroom manager (PSM) will manage the installation stockroom.

The Adjutant General Officer Basic Course (AGOBC) is 14 weeks long.

Jan Jul Feb Aug Mar Sep Apr Oct May Nov Jun Dec

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

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ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS

5. The following table lists commonly used abbreviations from AR 25-52:

NOTE: Follow the capitalization exactly as shown in the following table:

AUTHORIZED ABBREVIATIONS Adjutant General/Adjutant General’s Corps

AG

airborne abn

to be determined TBD

battalion bn

brigade bde

command CMD

command post exercise CPX

commander CDR

company co

enclosure encl

endorsement end

executive officer XO

fort Ft. (when used with location spell out Fort)

group gp

headquarters HQ

headquarters and headquarters company

HHC

leader ldr

management mgt

permanent change of station PCS

personnel services battalion PSB

platoon plt

the Army National Guard NG

United States Army Reserve USAR

United States Army Soldier Support Institute

USASSI

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SECTION IX: MEMORANDUMS (AR 25-50, Chapter 2)

1. Memorandums - Figures 2-1 through 2-19, AR 25-50 illustrates examples of use and general rules for memorandums.

2. There are also some special purpose memorandums.

a. Memorandum of Understanding or Agreement - document used to mutually agree to statements of fact, intentions, procedures, or commitments.

b. Memorandum for Record - used to give a summary of preceding correspondence and basis for action taken.

(1) Summary - Contains the source, office symbol, date, subject, addressee, and action requested or indicated.

(2) Basis for Action - shows background information having direct bearing on the matter in question.

(3) Coordination - historical record or coordination.

3. Format and common mistakes.

a. Margins - 1 inch left, right, top, and bottom.

b. Date - right justified on the office symbol line. Use the Day-Month-Year format. If you abbreviate the month then abbreviate the year, and be consistent throughout the document.

c. MEMORANDUM FOR line - third line below the office symbol. Address it to the department that you are sending the correspondence to. If a name is needed put it in parentheses after the office symbol. When a second line is needed for the address, begin it flush with the left margin, except for multiple-address memorandums, which will begin under the third character of the line above it. MEMORANDUM FOR is in all capital letters.

d. SUBJECT line - second line below MEMORANDUM FOR line (ten words or less). “SUBJECT:” is in all capital letters. Capitalize Each Word Unless It Is an Article. If the subject is more than one line begin typing the next lines flush with the left margin.

e. Body of memorandum - Begin third line below subject line. Use short concise paragraphs, use sub-paragraphs to break down points. The following is an example of the subparagraph numbering:

Four spaces to the first indentation.

February 2021

1. Xxxxxxxxxx

a. Xxxxxx

b. Xxxxxx

(1) Xx

(2) Xx

(a) Xx

(b) Xx

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Eight spaces to the second indentation.

NOTE: Never indent more than eight spaces. Never have a “1” without a “2”. Never have an “a” without a “b”.

f. Signature Block - Fifth line below the final paragraph. First letter is flush with the center of the page. First line - FULL NAME in all capital letters. Second line - RANK and abbreviated BRANCH, all capital letters. Third line - Duty Position, Upper and Lower Case. Refer to AR 25-50, Appendix D for model authority lines and signature blocks.

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SECTION X: LETTERS (AR 25-50, Chapter 3)

1. When you should use a military letter format.

2. Format.

a. Read Chapter 3 of AR 25-50. See example: p. 41-45, Fig 3-1, Fig 3-2.

b. Letterhead - See example: AR 25-50, p. 41-45, Fig 3-1, Fig 3-2.

c. Date - Centered two lines below the letterhead. Use the month-day-year format.

d. Office Title - Two lines below seal, starting at the left margin - used to identify the office from which the letter originated. Titles are used instead of symbols.

e. Address - Normally five lines below the address, though that may vary slightly. No abbreviations in the address. Two spaces before the zip code.

f. Salutation - Second line below the last line of the address. Appendix C, page 64 in AR 25-50 lists the appropriate salutation for the different ranks and titles. Use a colon after the salutation not a comma.

g. Body of Letter - Second line below salutation. Indent as shown in Fig 3-1, AR 25- 50. Beware of passive voice. Paragraphs should be less than 1 inch long.

h. Complementary Close - Two lines below last paragraph, first letter aligned with the center of the page.

i. Signature Block - Fifth line below the closing. Align with the center of the page. First line is full name, use upper and lower case. Second line is rank (spell out) and US Army. Third line is duty position, use upper and lower case.

j. Avoid abbreviations and acronyms. Not everyone understands them and they can be confusing. If you use an acronym write out the phrase, then put the acronyms in parenthesis after the phrase. See Section VIII for the rules on use of abbreviations and acronyms.

Official business with non-DOD and DOD civilians. Correspondence with a civilian agency or government agency, including local and state. Official personal correspondence. Letters of Appreciation. Letters of Commendation. Letters of Sympathy. Letters of Welcome.

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SECTION XI: DECISION PAPERS

1. General.

a. Prepare decision papers in accordance with AR 25-50 para. 2-8 and fig 2-19. The maximum length of the basic paper should be no more than two pages.

b. Decision papers will be clear and concise. Summarize the issues so the reader can make an informed decision. The reader should not have to hunt through material at tabs to develop an understanding of the issues, alternatives, and recommendations. Use tabbed material for a detailed analysis or explanation of the summary presented in the paper.

2. Format.

a. Purpose. Paragraph 2 (PURPOSE) will clearly state the decision needed, why you need a decision, and what the decision will accomplish.

b. Background and Discussion. Paragraph 3 (BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION) will explain the origin of the action, convey assumptions and facts necessary to an understanding of the recommendation, and list and assess the alternatives considered. Present facts as a chronological summary of actions or events leading to or bearing on the issue. Assess the alternatives considered for decision in terms of suitability, feasibility, and acceptability.

c. Include supporting documents at tabs and summarize their key points in the background and discussion section. If the purpose of the decision paper is to obtain a signature, the document on which the signature is required will always be at the first tab.

d. Impact. Paragraph 4 (IMPACT) will indicate impact of the recommended decision. A staff action may have an impact on personnel, equipment, funding, or other resource or mission areas. State who and to what extent the recommendation will impact. State if there is no impact.

e. Recommendation. Paragraph 5 (RECOMMENDATION) will contain specific recommendations. Add a line under the signature block where the approving authority may note action taken. Assure that you add a separate action line, as follows, for each additional recommendation in the paper.

(APPROVED_______DISAPPROVED_______SEE ME______).

f. Coordination. Underline the word “COORDINATION”; also use uppercase. Show coordination by staff officers as “CONCUR / NONCONCUR.”

g. Tabs. Letter or number tabs. The preferred tabs are the 8 ½” X 11” yellow index sheets with pre-printed letters.

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DECISION PAPERS

(1) To conserve resources, you may use either lettered or numbered tabs. The tabs must be consecutive and correspond exactly to the sequence cited in the basic correspondence.

(2) The tasking document will appear directly under the staff paper as a reference, so the reader can understand the nature of the task.

(3) Always use the first tab for the document requiring a signature.

(4) Use subsequent tabs for any other material that sheds light on the issue or improves the reader’s understanding of that action and any recommendation being made.

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OFFICE SYMBOL DATE

MEMORANDUM FOR COMMANDING GENERAL

SUBJECT: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx

1. DECISION.

2. PURPOSE. To obtain………………….

3. BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION.

a.

b.

c.

4. IMPACT.

5. RECOMMENDATION. That CG sign the memorandum at TAB A.

Encl SIGNATURE BLOCK as XXX, XX

Xxxxxxxxxx

APPROVED DISAPPROVED SEE ME

COORDINATION:

Cdr, TSB CONCUR/NONCONCUR DATE BN S1, TSB CONCUR/NONCONCUR DATE BN S3, TSB CONCUR/NONCONCUR DATE BN S4, TSB CONCUR/NONCONCUR DATE

(Example Format for a Decision Paper)

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SECTION XII: INFORMATION PAPERS

1. General.

a. Use an information paper to provide information not requiring any specific action.

b. Prepare the information paper as an memorandum in accordance with AR 25-50. The length of the basic paper should not exceed two pages.

2. Format. Prepare the information paper as follows:

a. Address the information paper THRU the Director, Training Division to Commandant, Adjutant General School.

b. If coordination is necessary, sign, and date the memorandum after coordination is complete.

c. Capitalize and underline word INFORMATION in paragraph 1. If applicable, indicate the event or date to which the information is time sensitive.

d. Provide the concise information in numbered paragraphs, beginning with paragraph 2.

e. Provide supporting documentation for clarity, as required. Any enclosed documentation will follow the flow in the information paper and be identified with tabs.

f. Outline key point(s) of the supporting documentation in the text of the paper. Tab appropriate pages and highlight in yellow or orange so the reader can easily find the relevant information.

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OFFICE SYMBOL DATE

MEMORANDUM THRU DEPUTY COMMANDER

FOR COMMANDING GENERAL

SUBJECT:

1. INFORMATION.

2. PURPOSE. To provide information on….. (Give purpose)

3. (Provide information)

SIGNATURE BLOCK XXX, XX Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

(Example Format of an Information Paper)

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SECTION XIII: BIBLIOGRAPHY FORMAT

1. The documentation style used in the AG School will be the American Psychological Association (APA). In the social sciences, the most influential writing and documentation style is that of the American Psychology Association. APA style is widely used in not only psychology but also sociology, anthropology, political science, education, business, and other social science disciplines 2. Citations. You must state the sources of facts and ideas that you obtained from your research. You must tell enough about each source so that reader can locate the information or idea you mention. Do not use an abstract page (note: this version subject to change).

Sample Cover Page - APA

New Computer Users and Fear 1

New Computer Users and Fear:

A Review of Some Related Literature

Samantha Smith

Psychology 101, Semester 2, Class 3A

Professor M. Jones

May 2, 2005

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Sample Inside Page - APA

New Computer Users and Fear 2

New Computer Users and Fear:

A Review of Some Related Literature

In one of his very first chapters entitled, “Fear and Anxiety on the Internet,”

Fawcett (1999) observed, “It was my fear of technology that drove me in my

early days on the Internet.” (p. 23). Later in the same chapter he went on to

elaborate at length on his experiences:

“My first experiences with the Internet were not pleasant ones. At that time,

most Internet users were hooked-up to public networks known as Freenets.

These networks may have been pioneering in many ways, but for the average

user at the time, they were extremely tedious and frustrating, sporting

technology that, by today’s standards, was bordering on neanderthal.

A typical Internet evening involved many long and frustrating hours of

fumbling around in “cyber-blackness”. It frequently took an entire evening just

to check my e-mail! A session was often prefaced by hours of busy signals

before finally making a connection.

At that time, everything was text-based and menu-driven. Typically, the

entire purpose of one of my sessions would be just to send and read a few e-

mails. For a few of the more savvy “tekkie-types”, it meant spending endless

hours exchanging cyber-musings with like-minded “propeller-heads”.

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Sample References Page – APA

New Computer Users and Fear 10

References

Bedford, F. (1990, October 30). The Psychology of Fear: Is it all in our

heads? The New York Times, p. B4.

Chrissie, S. (1995, July 31). Are We Afraid of Our Computers? The

Chicago Tribune, pp. D4, D6.

Gorman, J.R., & Smithson, R.T. (1997). The Dynamics of Human Fear

Neuroses In the Age of the Modern Computer (pp. 345-353).

Toronto: University of Toronto Press.

Hillson, G., (1996, December). The Unwelcome Eventual Alternative –

Computers That Tell Us What To Do. The New Psychologist, 22,

45-54.

Fawcett, S. (1999). Internet Basics without fear!, Montreal: Final Draft

Publications.

Francis, V. (1985). The Fear Experience: Do We Really Know What We’re

Getting Into?. London: Oxford Press.

Sawyer, D., & Johnson R. (1987). The Transference of Fears of

Technology To Those Around Us – A Case Study. New York:

Holt, Rinehart & Winston.

Transom, Z., & Rutherford, S. (1991, October). The Relationship Between

Occasional Writer’s Block and Fear of Technology. Psychology

Today, 27, 82-88.

University of Tennessee Knoxville Web site (2005). Retrieved on Jun 6, 2005 from http://wireless.utk.edu/handheld#handheld

Winston, T., (1990). Is That My Computer You’re Talking To?. Chicago:

Doubleday Press.