Guidelines for Papers

1. Guidelines for Papers College Composition Dr. Downing Kutztown University Fall 2009

2. Preface • There is a lot of information in this slide show. I suggest you review it on your own. • The most significant learning aspect for most students involves mastering Modern Language Association (MLA) documentation. • For information on MLA standards, visit the Online Writing Lab of Purdue University (also known as the OWL): http://owl.english.purdue.edu/ • Even though I am suggesting that MLA is important, I want to stress the point that all of the information contained in this slide show was generated by papers from my College Composition classes. • Therefore, if you have not mastered certain aspects of this slide show, you should focus on the slides that pertain to you (particularly if you see that I have indicated such issues on your papers).

3. Follow the Models • Always follow models closely. Few things aggravate a professor more than students who do not follow the models. • We cannot help but think: “I am showing you exactly how to write these essays and you have not taken the time to review the models. What’s the deal?”

4. Format • Avoid contractions and abbreviations in formal writing. • Avoid “I/You” trap. If you mean “I”, say “I”. • Avoid “you” unless you are writing instructions for other people to follow. • Left justify only. Right margin should be ragged. • Fonts: Arial, Times New Roman, possibly Calibri. • Put a space between your last name and page number in header. • One inch margins. • Centered title.

5. Sentences and Paragraphs • Keep sentences simple and clear. • Keep sentences to a single thought. If you wish to combine thoughts, you must learn how to link sentences with a “, cc” construction (fanboys). • Keep paragraphs to a single topic. If you find yourself writing: “The final two points are…” You are going to get lost in the paragraph. Make one point per paragraph. Then create another paragraph.

6. Sentence Sense • Sentences must have a subject, a verb, and must form a complete thought. • Which of the following groups of words is not a sentence? • Before I came to school in 2007. • Joseph Campbell taught at Sarah Lawrence College. • After my car broke down and ran out of gas.

7. Present Tense • Stay in present tense when discussing literature, essays, film, or articles. “Ruiz argues…” “Campbell claims…” • This should be consistent throughout the paper. Otherwise, I will identify “shifting verb tense”.

8. Their/They’re/There • “Their” is possessive: That is their house. • “There” is location: She is over there. • “They’re” is a contraction: They are (Avoid contractions in formal writing!) Learn these!!!

9. What and How • Avoid starting declarative sentences with “what” or “how,” because your reader thinks you are going to ask a question. • When this happens, the reader has to re-read the sentence and convert it into a declarative sentence. • Avoid: “What Ruiz means to say is…” • Use this style: “Ruiz means to say…”

10. Colons vs. Semicolons • Colons look like this : • They are used before lists and to separate titles from subtitles • Semicolons look like this ; • They are used to separate two related independent clauses and items in a series that contain commas.

11. Unity • Unity = the relationship between title, thesis, topic sentences, content, and conclusion. • If one is out of whack, the unity of the paper is at risk. • Each of these elements should reinforce one another.

12. Titles • Your titles: Create accurate titles. If you want to be creative, use a main title and subtitle. The main title can be creative or symbolic; the subtitle can be accurate. Separate the two with a colon : • For example, “Restoring the Myths: Converting Stereotype to Archetype in Five Plays of August Wilson.” • Other titles: Book titles should be in italics; article titles should be in “quotation marks.” • Do not blend italics and underline in the same paper. Pick one and stick with it. They both mean the same thing. Italics are preferred because underlining = Web link.

13. Word Count and Repitition • Stay within word count limits. Too many words creates sloppy writing. Too few words indicates a lack of development. • Many of you are at the stage where you need to practice tightening your essays. • Be sure to give the reader credit: If you have already mentioned a certain point, you seldom need to repeat it.

14. Quotes • Be sure to directly quote primary and secondary sources in your papers. • You MUST quote any information in your paper that is taken verbatim from another source. • Do not dump quotes. You should not replace your own writing with extended quotes from a book or article just to hit your word count. Quotes should be used judiciously, not carelessly. • Avoid orphan quotes. This means that you should introduce all quotes : “Ruiz writes…” “Campbell claims...”

15. “According to…” • When you bring a source into your paper, use “According to…” • Then cite the author’s name, essay or book title, website, and other appropriate information. • Provide a direct quote or two from the primary text to enable the reader to understand your starting point.

16. Authors • Refer to authors by last name: • “Ruiz,” not “Miguel.” • “Campbell” not “Joseph.” • The only exception is when you are referring to them within a family situation where one or more persons might share the same last name.

17. Sources • Always cite all sources for college-level papers. • Use “According to…” to introduce your sources • Use parenthetical citations to take the reader to the Works Cited page (Downing 16). • Always include a works cited page for college-level essays (unless otherwise instructed). • Many of you are precisely at this point: Your writing is solid. Now, you must master MLA documentation. • See the OWL at Purdue. • See the MLA Handbook for details on MLA documentation.

18. Conclusions: Use Your Own Words • Avoid ending paragraphs and/or papers with quotes from another person. Do not allow another author to steal your thunder. • A lawyer in a courtroom would NEVER allow someone else to have the final word. • If you want to use a strong quote, use it at the beginning rather than at the end of your paper. • You can even place the quote just under your title, before you begin your actual paper. • End paragraphs and papers in your own words.

19. Works Cited • Under MLA guidelines, the reference page should be called Works Cited (not “sources”; not “references”). • Entries on the Works Cited page should be listed in alphabetical order (typically with author’s last name). • Entries on the Works Cited page should use reverse indentation. • Be sure to provide entire URL on Works Cited page: “About Joseph Campbell.” The Joseph Campbell Foundation. 2007. October 12, 2008. http://www.jcf.org/new/index.php?categoryid=11

20. Works Cited (continued) • URLs should NEVER appear in the body of your paper. • The complete URL for the cited article should appear at the end of the entry on the Works Cited page (see next slide). • Listing the URL for the website’s index page is not enough. The link should take me to the actual article. • The connection point between the parenthetical reference and the Works Cited page should begin with the Works Cited entry (see next slide).

21. Works Cited (continued) • For example:, if your Works Cited entry looks like this: “About Joseph Campbell.” The Joseph Campbell Foundation. 2007. October 12, 2008. http://www.jcf.org/new/index.php?categoryid=11 • Then the information you place in parentheses should look like this: • (“About Joseph Campbell”). That will take me directly to the article on your Works Cited page.

22. Proofreading • Read your work out loud to yourself. • Sentences should be clear and to the point. If it sounds bad, it should be re-written. • Start drafts immediately and make sure to share them with the professor during office hours or classroom workshop. • Visit the Writing Center and find someone you can work with.

23. Final Thoughts • Good writing does not require that you be a genius. Instead, it requires that you put TIME into your assignments. • Start early, ask lots of questions, read your work aloud, and seek other eyes. That’s the secret to success in College Composition.

24. Questions?