The following instructions may seem finicky. Your adherence to them, however, will greatlyhelp me to read and properly grade your paper.
If the paper is to be submitted in print, it 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 computer 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
comprehend the requirements. These will include the topic, length, formatting, and deadlines. If
you are uncertain about any of these, do not hesitate to ask for clarifications.
Choose a Strong Topic: Select a topic that interests you, and that also aligns with the course material. Ensure it is specific enough to explore in-depth but broad enough to find sufficient research material.
Conduct Thorough Research: Utilize reputable
sources. These include academic journals, books, and scholarly databases. Take
detailed notes. 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 road map for your
paper. It will also help 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.
Write Clear and Concise Paragraphs: Each
paragraph should focus on a single idea or point. It should have 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. 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. Ensure that your writing is polished and professional.
Seek Feedback: Before you submit a paper, ask a peer, a professor, or a tutor to review it and provide constructive feedback. Fresh eyes can catch mistakes or areas for improvement that you may have overlooked.
Proofread: Before submitting your paper, proofread it one final time, looking for lingering errors or typos. Reading your paper aloud can help you identify awkward phrasing or grammatical issues.
