The following instructions may seem finicky. Your adherence to them, however, will greatly
help me to read and properly grade your paper.
If it is to be submitted in printed form, the paper should be double-spaced. Use
honest font size and margins. One-inch margins all around and 12-point type is a good
norm. Using large fonts and margins to pad out a too-short paper is both obvious and
upsetting to me.
Number your pages. If you can't figure out how to make your word processor do it, then do it
by hand.
Staple the sheets together.
Put your name on the paper.
Remember: I expect students to produce written work that is focused, well-developed,
organized, and relatively free of grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors. Papers that fall
short of this standard may be returned for revision. [ more ]
Don't plagiarize. The availability of material on the Internet
that can be easily copied and pasted has blurred the distinction between "plagiarism" and
source. Text that you copy directly from somewhere must be placed inside quotation marks
and attributed to its source. Plagiarism is considered academic misconduct. [ more ]
Need some writing help?
Get better
grades by eliminating mistakes. How can you do that? Try proofreading better. [
more ]
-- Howard Culbertson,
Afterword
Writing a top-notch research paper for a college alss requires careful planning, thorough research,
and effective organization. Here are some tips to help you craft the best possible term paper:
Understand the Assignment: Make sure you fully
comprehend the requirements, including the topic, length, formatting, and deadlines. If you have
any doubts, don't hesitate to clarify with your instructor.
Choose a Strong Topic: Select a topic that interests
you and aligns with the course material. Ensure it's specific enough to explore in-depth but broad
enough to find sufficient research material.
Conduct Thorough Research: Utilize reputable
sources such as academic journals, books, and scholarly databases to gather information. Take
detailed notes and keep track of your sources for proper citation.
Create an Outline: Organize your ideas and research
findings into a coherent structure. A well-structured outline will serve as a roadmap for your
paper, helping you stay focused and on track.
Craft a Compelling Thesis Statement: Your thesis
should clearly state the main argument or purpose of your paper. It should be concise, debatable,
and supported by evidence throughout the paper.
Write Clear and Concise Paragraphs: Each
paragraph
should focus on a single idea or point, with a clear topic sentence and supporting evidence. Make
sure your writing is coherent and flows logically from one paragraph to the next.
Use Proper Citations: Cite your sources accurately
using the appropriate citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago). Be consistent with your
formatting and include a bibliography or works cited page.
Revise and Edit: Take the time to revise your paper
for clarity, coherence, and accuracy. Check for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors, and
ensure that your writing is polished and professional.
Seek Feedback: Ask a peer, professor, or tutor to
review your paper and provide constructive feedback before you submit it. Fresh eyes can often
catch mistakes or areas for improvement that you may have overlooked.
Proofread: Before submitting your paper, carefully
proofread it one final time to catch any lingering errors or typos. Reading your paper aloud can
help you identify awkward phrasing or grammatical issues.