Deadlines Submit your papers because of the deadlines stated in the syllabus. You’ve got three grace days for several papers except the final paper, for which there are no free extensions. By the day before the deadline if you have a problem before the final paper, be sure to talk to me.
Basic Elements
- Mechanics are essential. They are the tools that are basic make the paper possible.
- a) Descriptive Title. As easy as this might be, some people forget.
- b) Introductory Paragraph or Thesis. A thesis paragraph states what you are setting out to show in your paper and exactly how you will do this. An paragraph that is introductory the reader with a clear understanding of what the paper is mostly about. As a whole it is a idea that is good avoid the overuse regarding the first person voice, since this can interrupt the flow of the prose. Check out examples to give some thought to:
Effective introductory paragraph that does not use «I»: In Dakota-A Spiritual Geography, Kathleen Norris writes about her life from the Western plains for the united states of america. She describes it as some sort of monastic world for which she’s got had the opportunity in the future in contact with her spiritual roots through the lives of those there, the land, plus the solitude of her own inner life. She does not falsely idealize life regarding the plains as some sort of paradise from the urban jungle. In reality, she actually is critical of the insularity and pettiness regarding the small towns in which she lives and works. In place of detracting through the sense that is positive of life there, however, her critical perspectives make her work more real and lead your reader to want to get to understand her pay for research paper in addition to plains better. Effective introductory paragraph that uses «I»: In reading Dakota-A Spiritual Geography, I was struck by the beauty of Kathleen Norris’ prose and her ability to convey the subtleties and complexities of her life there, of people, place, and time, the relation between work, art, in addition to spiritual life. At first, I read her act as the account of a female and a culture vastly distinct from my very own. When I continued to read through, however, I became aware that, in a few ways, her world mirrored mine. While speaking out of a distinct geographical and landscape that is cultural Norris can make us recognize features of our own lives of which we might not need been previously aware. Weak paragraph that is introductory uses «I»: In this paper, I will talk about Kathleen Norris’s book Dakota-A Spiritual Geography. I am going to discuss her views on the relation amongst the Dakotas as a geographical location and a spiritual place. I shall show there is a connection between the two. I shall use ideas from her act as well as Carol Christ’s ideas about nature. I shall also show that, while beneficial in several ways, Christ’s ideas are insufficient for understanding Norris’ complete view of life into the Dakotas.
- c) Conclusion. The conclusion brings the ideas of one’s paper back in succinct focus. This might involve some summarizing but should also refocus ideas by reformulating some of your ideas that are thesis/introductory a way not possible without having browse the body of the paper. You may not answer all relevant questions that you raised or resolve all issues outlined in your introduction. One good way to conclude your paper is to raise further questions, showing your knowing of their existence and possibilities for further inquiry. Sometimes, the greatest questions give rise to even more questions.
- d) Documentation. Whenever you make generalizations or assertions, document your claims with references, either from the readings or perhaps the lectures. If you make a statement that seems controversial and you also don’t cite a reference, then I will likely not know where your ideas came from. You simply cannot be too careful on this point.
- e) Format for References. For the paper that is final i will ask which you all use footnotes or endnotes following the format given into the syllabus as well as the writing sample. Please be aware the usage commas and parentheses. For shorter papers, you might use parenthetical notes. (You should follow one of the standard formats for parenthetical use.)
- f) Page numbers. In case the pages come loose, I will manage to read your paper.
- g) Use block quotations for citations four lines or longer. When block that is using, do not use quotation marks at the start and end associated with block. Utilize the margin command as opposed to the tab command to create block quotations. This may make it much simpler for you.
- h) Subheadings. These are not essential, however you might find it helpful to insert subheadings while you go along. They are able to assist you to to arrange your paper along with to allow the reader realize that new topics are increasingly being addressed.
- a) Check your spelling. There ought to be errors that are few this regard.
- b) Run-on and sentences that are incomplete. Avoid sentences which are too long. Check to make certain that there is no need incomplete sentences.
- c) Punctuation. Punctuation should follow standard guidelines. There was often confusion about commas. There are many rules that are simple will keep you out of trouble. I have summarized them here. Otherwise, consult a writing manual or ask the instructor. «The Elementary Rules of Usage» from William Strunk’s the sun and rain of Style covers many cases of comma usage including those that connect with independent and clauses that are dependent.
- d) Tenses. Be consistent in your utilization of past and tense that is present. It is accepted practice to put everything in the present tense if you are writing a thought paper (ideas, philosophy. As an example, you might write, «The Buddha says, . . . .» or «The Tibetan master Milarepa behaves in unconventional ways.» If you are writing a research paper working with historical issues, you ought to put scholarly assertions in our tense («I think,» «Gregory Schopen states») and historical facts in the past («Shakyamuni delivered a sermon,» «Devadatta turned traitor»). In almost any full case, be consistent.
There are a few stylistic matters to note.
- a) Use natural English. There is no need to fill technical vocabulary to your paper or difficult terms. Them, they will have a greater effect when you write for the most part in clear, straightforward English if you do use.
- b) stay away from conjunctions that are too many qualifiers, such as for example «however,» «then,» and «given that.» Usually, your reader will know how one sentence relates to the following with no utilization of these terms, additionally the resulting paper will be better to read. Make use of your own good judgement as to when they’re necessary. As a rule of thumb, use sparingly.
- c) Gendered pronouns. It is now widely considered that the use that is exclusive of pronouns to refer to both sexes is unacceptable. You can find a true number of strategies which you can use to negotiate this matter. You may use i) male and female pronouns alternately, ii) neutral pronouns such as «one» and «they»; however, avoid mixing both of these pronouns when you look at the same sentence, iii) both (When a person finds him or herself in this example . . .), or iv) «s/he». There are, however, possible exceptions. When you yourself have any questions about this, please see me.
Don’t use «one» and «they» as pronouns for the referent that is sameThis confusion arises because of the usage of «they» as opposed to «his» or «her.») Be careful if you use humans or beings that are human replace «men.» «Human beings» is usually more appropriate than «humans,» and sometimes «people» is an improved choice.
Common Errors
- a) » distinctive from.» «Different from» may be the correct usage, not «different than.»
- b) «Complementary» versus «Complimentary.» Make sure to know the distinction between these two words. Yin and yang are complementary. Words of praise are complimentary.
- c) «Affect» versus «effect.» It’s possible to assess the economic results of having inventory that is too much but one cannot easily affect nationwide economic trends which could decrease consumer demand.
- d) A «novel» is a work of fiction. Memoirs, journals, biographies, and autobiographies are nonfiction works. Try not to make reference to them as «novels.»