Proper way to refer to a doctor in a term paper?

[stargurl78]

For my MPA leadership course I am writing a final paper on Dr. Bernadine Healy, former president of Red Cross. When discussing her in the paper, do I refer to her as "Bernadine", "Dr. Healy", or "Healy"? I think the right way is "Healy" but I'm not certain. I'm sorry if this is a dumb question but I can't seem to find the info online (everything explains how to cite a doctor but I don't think I'm really citing her) and my professor is not responding to my emails. The paper is due tonight (everything is written, I'm just not sure if I referred to her correctly) so I'd thought I'd see if anyone here knew the correct way since everyone is always so helpful around here

TIA!!!

 

[iheartscience]

I think it would be just by last name, so "Healy." But I may be confusing APA style and AP style in my head.

Will you get points taken off for how you choose to refer to someone in the paper? Your professor may just not care if it's not a composition class. In both of my grad classes the professors didn't care how you cited authors, just as long as you cited them.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Haven is the English teacher around here, so I am sure she'll have the answer for you if she sees this!

It has been too long since I have written a term paper, but I am thinking the first time you refer to her, you write out Dr. and her full name, and after that, either Dr. Healy or Healy.

 

[Haven]

Haven is the English teacher around here, so I am sure she'll have the answer for you if she sees this!

It has been too long since I have written a term paper, but I am thinking the first time you refer to her, you write out Dr. and her full name, and after that, either Dr. Healy or Healy.

This page has answers for you if you're writing this paper in APA style:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/03/

If you're writing in a different style you can do a search for "XYZ style in-text citations" and that should lead you to helpful information.

Happy writing!

 

[stargurl78]

I think it would be just by last name, so "Healy." But I may be confusing APA style and AP style in my head.

Will you get points taken off for how you choose to refer to someone in the paper? Your professor may just not care if it's not a composition class. In both of my grad classes the professors didn't care how you cited authors, just as long as you cited them.

I think you're right thing2 that it should be just "Healy".

And I really don't think I'll get points taken off but I'm really not sure with this professor, she seems to be randomly picky about the strangest things...

 

[stargurl78]

Haven is the English teacher around here, so I am sure she'll have the answer for you if she sees this!

It has been too long since I have written a term paper, but I am thinking the first time you refer to her, you write out Dr. and her full name, and after that, either Dr. Healy or Healy.

Thanks DS, looks like Haven heard you giving her a shout-out

 

[stargurl78]

Haven is the English teacher around here, so I am sure she'll have the answer for you if she sees this!

It has been too long since I have written a term paper, but I am thinking the first time you refer to her, you write out Dr. and her full name, and after that, either Dr. Healy or Healy.

This page has answers for you if you're writing this paper in APA style:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/03/

If you're writing in a different style you can do a search for "XYZ style in-text citations" and that should lead you to helpful information.

Happy writing!

Thank you Haven, I am using APA so that is quite helpful! I have a writing guide with MLA, APA, etc and of course I left it at home today and I go straight to class from work So according to that guide, it looks like I should just use her last name... Thanks again!

 

[JulieN]

Healy, Dr. Bernadine Healy are fine, Dr. Healy a bit more rare. Not Bernadine.

 

[Haven]

You got it, Stargurl! Surname only. Never first name, and when using APA, never Dr. Healy or Dr. Bernadine Healy.

I love Purdue's OWL. Diana Hacker has a great website, too. I don't buy MLA or APA guides anymore, to be honest. I use online resources, and if there's something very specific that I need, the college library always has copies of current guides.

I would have just given you the answer, but that's just against my nature as a teacher.
Good teachers don't give answers, they empower others to find the answers for themselves.


Good luck finishing this paper!

 

[yssie]

I would have just given you the answer, but that's just against my nature as a teacher.
Good teachers don't give answers, they empower others to find the answers for themselves.

You are adorable

 

[yssie]

Um. I meant that in a good way, and not as weirdly as it came out

 

[Haven]

Yssie--
Thank you.

 

[stargurl78]

You got it, Stargurl! Surname only. Never first name, and when using APA, never Dr. Healy or Dr. Bernadine Healy.

I love Purdue's OWL. Diana Hacker has a great website, too. I don't buy MLA or APA guides anymore, to be honest. I use online resources, and if there's something very specific that I need, the college library always has copies of current guides.

I would have just given you the answer, but that's just against my nature as a teacher.
Good teachers don't give answers, they empower others to find the answers for themselves.


Good luck finishing this paper!

Thanks Haven! I didn't mind having to work for it My friend actually ended up sending me that same link. That's probably what I'll start using (although I'll be sad to put down my beat-up little manual that I've used since I took my first college English course).

 

[Haven]

You're welcome!

If it makes it any easier to part with your old manual, it's probably out-of-date by now anyway.