PAPER GRADING CRITERIA:

-It must have a thesis, stated up front, supported by reason and evidence.

-It must consist of critical analysis, with your own interpretations.  Be creative and original.  Make it interesting to read.  It should not be a mere summary or regurgitation of lectures or written material.

-You must include independent research from several credible sources which you cite, referencing page numbers.

-Use graphs, charts, photographs and other visual aids.

-If  your assignment is to do a book review, briefly summarize the book and then answer the following questions:  What is the author’s thesis (main argument or most important point)?  Is the evidence he uses to support the thesis compelling?  Give some examples.  How does it fit into the larger context of the course? What are the book’s strengths and weaknesses?  What lessons did it impart?  How highly would you recommend it and why?

-Only quote if no other words suffice.  Always cite where a quote or an idea came from.  If it is a course text, simply state the author’s last name and the page number in parenthesis at the end of the sentence.  If it is not a course text, cite the author’s full name, the title of the work, and the page number.  An example of a proper citation is as follows:  Julius Caesar coined the phrase "I came, I saw, I conquered."  (James Holoka, World History, page 25).  After you have cited the author’s full name and the title of a work once, you only need to cite the author’s last name in subsequent citations.  You must cite the page number every time.

-Do not plagiarize.  You will receive an F for the course.

-Type, using 10 or 12 point font.

-Double space

-Use one inch margins at the left, right, top, and bottom.

-Do not use slang phrases.

-Use black ink.

-Put a staple in the upper left corner.  Do not use a folder or cover sheet.

-Put your name, class name, day and time, and title at the top.

-Use proper spelling and grammar.  Use spell check on your computer and look up the spelling of words you are not sure of.  Have someone else proofread it.

-Do not use contractions (e.g., it's, didn't, etc.)

-Use past tense when referring to past events.  Do not use present, conditional or passive tenses: Bad:  "The war begins in 1939."  “The war would begin in 1939.”  "The war had begun in 1939."  Good:  "The war began in 1939."

-Avoid run-on sentences.

-Be concise.  Do not be redundant.  Avoid unnecessary words like "very."

-The first time you use a person's name write their first and last name. Thereafter, use their last name only.

-Avoid personal pronouns such as "I," "you," or "we."

-If you use a semi‑colon make sure the clause on each side of it is a complete sentence.

-Each paragraph should be several sentences long and there should be more than one paragraph per page.  The beginning of a paragraph should be indented 5 spaces.  Do not put extra spaces between paragraphs.  Use the same spacing throughout the paper.

-When referring to what someone thinks or believes use "think" or "believe." Do not use the word "feel" except when referring to a physical or emotional sensation.

-Underline book and film titles and the name of legal cases (or put them in italics).  Use quotation marks to cite articles within books.

-If you have trouble writing you should go to the Academic Achievement Center in Manzanita to receive help.