Academic writing follows many forms. The following is purposefully blunt and often obvious. Each student must take responsibility for understanding questions of citation, which involves issues ranging from plagiarism to the niceties of footnotes and bibliography.
- Your paper(s) must be legibly ‘typed;’ whether in the old-fashioned way or by computer, the paper should be white {8.5 x 11 inch} with black ink. The font should be a standard form; the text (save indented quotations, epigraphs, and critical apparatus) should be double spaced. Avoid binders; two staples in the top left corner ensures easy access, integrity, and non-slip stacking.
- The title page must include the paper title, your name, course title & number, instructor(s), and the date. Always number the pages; it is a good practice to have either a ‘header’ or ‘footer’ including your name. Ensure that all the pages are included and in the correct order; pay particular attention to identifying illustrations, etc. Always keep a backup copy of your paper, whether hardcopy or electronic.
- Word-limit essays allow perhaps ten-percent variation; 1000 words means 1100 absolute maximum. There are intellectual and practical reasons for word-limit essays, not to mention questions of fairness. In practical terms, depending on font size, one page is equivalent to 200-250 words. On related matters, reading a 15-minute orally presented paper translates into 6-7 typewritten pages.
- Always quote {NB: quote is a verb} your sources and include a bibliography of non-required works. Citation is serious business; make sure that you are informed and sensitive to all aspects of your obligations, courtesies, and the details of proper citation. For most exams, papers, and critiques in my classes use the ‘internal short form’ of footnote citation for course required readings; this involves: following the quotation {NB: quotation is a noun}, in parentheses, the author’s last name; key title word; page(s). For example:
“… as the quotation ends.” (Kuhn, Structure, p. 42).
A major rule of citation is consistency. For forms of citation of non-required source material, for Footnotes (I prefer Endnotes) and Bibliography I recommend and strongly advise: The Chicago Manual of Style.
- Running risk of redundancy, a deadline is a deadline; there are no ‘late papers’ and there is no reason for accepting a paper after the deadline. If the instructor agrees to mark such a paper, there will be a grade penalty, minimally one letter grade per day. Emergencies are another matter. Never miss class. Do not plan on taking an Incomplete; they are granted only in extraordinary cases.
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