Formatting of English Academic Papers

English academic papers not only require repeated refinement of their content but also adherence to the standard formatting of academic writing. However, many people find themselves struggling with the formatting of papers, but once they master the techniques of paper formatting, they will discover that many issues can be easily resolved. This includes text layout, handling of figures and tables, and citation of references.

1. Text Layout

If the paper is lengthy, it can be challenging to navigate. By using the "Styles" feature, the "Heading 1" to "Heading 9" styles have levels that facilitate the search and positioning of the document's hierarchical structure. Clicking on "View" and selecting "Outline" mode allows you to easily view the structural content of the document and quickly locate the information you need.

2. Handling of Figures and Tables

How can hyperlinked tables of contents be set up for figures and tables? Firstly, select the figure or table, click on the "References" menu, choose "Insert Caption," add the appropriate caption, select the suitable label type, and if needed, click on "New Label" (for instance, creating a new label "Table" separates the figures and tables). After setting captions for all figures and tables, click on "Insert Table of Figures" in the "References" menu. In the pop-up window, choose the corresponding caption label from the drop-down menu under "Caption Label," select the desired format, and after confirming, the document will automatically generate a table of figures and tables. Word defaults to selecting "Use hyperlinks instead of page numbers," allowing direct navigation from the table of figures and tables to the desired location.

3. Citation of References

According to current regulations, academic journals use a sequential numbering system for referencing the bibliography in research papers. Citations within the text are numbered consecutively in square brackets according to the order of appearance in the paper. If the same reference is repeatedly cited within the same paper, the same number is used to indicate it. This regulation ensures the bibliography is clear and concise and should be noted by authors. English references, like Chinese references, are listed continuously in the order of appearance in the text, marked using Arabic numerals; English references are written in regular font, while English book titles, journal names, and newspaper names are italicized. The listing order is the same as for Chinese references, but the type of reference does not need to be indicated. Avoid narrating English in Chinese.

The current formatting standards do not provide clear requirements for labeling English names, resulting in confusion regarding the labeling of English names. Some use full names, some abbreviate first names while keeping surnames unchanged and in their original order, and some separate the surname and first name with a dot (the latter being a common method in translated works in China when writing foreign names in Chinese). However, there is a systematic way to label English names. In the references of academic works abroad, a standardized format has been established for labeling author names in English references. It requires the surname to come first, followed by the first name separated by a comma. The initial letter of the surname is capitalized, and the rest are in lowercase. The first letter of the first name is capitalized, followed by an abbreviation symbol (dot), which should not be omitted. Since the arrangement of names in European and American countries typically places the first name before the surname, adjustments must be made when labeling them.

◀️：The Issue of Collocation in Translation

▶️：Proofreading of English Academic Papers