Final answer:
The incorrect rule about formatting paragraph headings is option c, which suggests following the heading with a bold period. Headings typically should not end with a period and should be formatted according to the specific academic style guide used for the document.
Step-by-step explanation:
The incorrect rule about formatting paragraph headings among the options provided is c. Follow the heading with a bold period. Typically, headings should not be followed by any punctuation like a period unless stylistically required by a specific guide. According to most formatting guidelines, such as MLA and APA, paragraph headings should:
- Capitalize the first and last word, and other significant words within the heading.
- Be in bold type if it's specified by the guideline.
- Be left-aligned unless specified otherwise, with the first line of the paragraph indented one-half inch.
There should be no punctuation like a period after headings, and they are not usually indented unless the formatting style specifies differently. The use of bold, capitalization, and indentation may vary depending on the academic style guide being followed (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.). For instance, in APA format, major section headings are centered and bold, without additional punctuation and not indented, whereas subheadings and subsequent lines might have different requirements.