Author Guidelines

Past Imperfect: Instructions for Authors, 2009-10

Title of essay: Comes at the top of page, in bold font

Author: First name, surname, and name of university

Length: 20-25 double-spaced pages all included

Abstract: 200-300 words preceding introduction, with scope and arguments, not italicized

Introduction: What essay is about, main argument, and brief outline of structure

Subheadings: To guide readers through essay. In bold font.

Spacing: Single spaces after periods. Justify body text.

Conclusion: Sums up main arguments and resolves any puzzles explored.

Quotations: Quotes of more than 3 sentences indented on both margins. No inverted commas.

Font: Times New Roman, 12 point font

Language: Canadian English

Footnotes: Numbered sequentially in Arabic numerals at end of sentences and placed at foot of each page.

Author’s first name, surname, title of book in italics, publication details in parenthesis. No long sentences in footnotes

e.g., Emery Blackfoot, Chance Encounters (Boston: Serendipity Press, 1987), p.34.

If same book is cited for second time, provide author’s first and last name, short title and page number. No repetition of publication details.

Journal Articles: Author’s name and surname. Title of article in commas, title of journal and publication details,

e.g., James Mutton, “The Lay of the Land: Four New Books in Canadian Rural History,” Journal of Canadian Studies, volume 41. No. 1, winter 2008, p.206.

Article in edited book: Author’s name and surname. Title of article in commas, full name of editor(s), title of book and publication details

e.g., W. Tanaka and R. Moorsom, 'Underdevelopment and Class Formation in Ovamboland, 1844-1917', in R. Palmer and N. Parsons (eds), The Roots of Rural Poverty in Central and Southern Africa (Berkeley, University of California Press, 1977), pp. 96-112.

Internet reference: Author’s full name, title of article if available, stable URL address and date of retrieval

Archival Source: Name of Archive, series and details of item including authors and dates where applicable

Bibliography: At end of essay, start with author’s last name, alphabetically. No indentation for entries

e.g., Blackfoot, Emery. Chance Encounters. Boston: Serendipity Press, 1987.

Style should conform to the latest edition of either the Chicago Manual of Style or Kate Turabian's A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations

Contact Us: Email us at pastimpe@ualberta.ca if you have questions.

Manuscripts and abstracts can be e-mailed to past.imperfect@ualberta.ca or sent to:

Past Imperfect

Department of History and Classics

2-28 Tory Building

University of Alberta

Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2H4