Many students become so frustrated over the many and varied requirements of academic formatting that they often choose to ignore the matter--at their peril! Our space here is too limited to go into the different styles and requirements in detail. But some general observations may help you as you resign yourself to spending money on an up-to-date formatting manual that applies to your particular department.

Remember that the two most extensively used manuals are, first, the MLA Manual (Modern Languages Association) that serves as the guide for English, history, and other humanities fields. The second is the APA Manual (American Psychological Association) that is standard for the social sciences. The Chicago Style is a third alternative, although it is not as widely used. In addition, individual departments may have their own requirements, and you must be thoroughly familiar with them at all times. Do not assume that anyone will tell you about changes! Keep up to date by asking questions and checking at intervals.

Furthermore, if you are planning to publish your writing in a professional journal, be aware that each journal will have its own requirements (as if those above were not enough!), and that if you want that journal to publish your article, you must conform exactly to the publisher's way of doing things.

In academic formatting, every space, period, comma--indeed, everthing--counts. You cannot afford to be sloppy because then you'll have to do your work all over again. The best strategy is to thoroughly learn the format style that you must use, then use it correctly at all times. Eventually it will become second nature and you will not have to work so hard to remember it all. There is software available to help you, and some of it is very good. Just be certain that it is the most up to date software and that it really is the format style that you are required to use.

Finally, in recent years the various powers-that-be seem to have decided that a variety of small changes is good. What worked from the last edition of your manual, therefore, may no longer apply if a new edition has been issued. Consult the latest edition.