Guide · Academic Writing
Preparing a Word or Google Docs Working File
Language, page setup, review, and export
Set up and review a working essay file in Microsoft Word or Google Docs while following the requirements that govern the assignment or publication.
Language Coverage
The AuthZ essay guides and worksheets use Canadian English as their default editorial convention (en-CA), but their principles apply equally to US English, UK English, and other English-language settings. Follow the assignment, instructor, institution, publisher, journal, or venue requirements first. When a local requirement differs, use that requirement consistently and record the choice in your working notes.
Preparing a Word or Google Docs Working File
Before writing
Set the document language and dictionary to the required variety of English. Confirm the assignment or venue’s spelling, citation, heading, and file-format requirements.
While drafting
Use built-in spell check and grammar check as review aids, not as final authorities. Check names, quotations, citations, terminology, and regional spellings yourself.
Page setup
Set margins, page size, font, line spacing, paragraph spacing, headings, and page breaks to the governing instructions. Add a footer and page numbers when required; keep them clear of the text and worksheet writing areas.
Review and export
Accept or reject tracked changes, resolve comments, check accessibility and reading order, and confirm links and tables. Then export to PDF and inspect the PDF itself. Keep versioned source files and use a clear name such as AUTHOR_Title_Submission_v01.docx.
Instructor, professor, editor, and publisher requirements
Instructors may adapt examples, spacing, deadlines, citation guidance, and submission instructions for their course or institution. Editors and publishers may impose their own house style, file, accessibility, and submission requirements. Their current directions take priority over this general-purpose material.
Future Language Editions
Future editions may be offered in Spanish, French, German, and other languages. A translated edition should be treated as its own localized release: follow its language conventions while still following the governing assignment or publication requirements.
This note is practical guidance, not a replacement for a style guide, accessibility standard, institutional policy, or publication’s current instructions.