1.  The papers in this course ask you to explain or apply a particular theory to historical situations.  Avoid long quotations from the relevant text; your job is to explain the argument to me in your own words.

 

2.  No additional research is expected or encouraged, but do make specific references to the course readings in your paper.  Give me proof that the author actually said the things you attribute to him/her, even when you do not directly quote the text.  I prefer in text references, as opposed to endnotes or footnotes.  Because we are all working from the same texts, the following is appropriate (Rourke 26); referring to the World Politics book, page 26.  Papers without references will be penalized.  NOTE THAT ANY ACT OF PLAGIARISM WILL RESULT IN A FAILING GRADE FOR THE COURSE.  FOR A DISCUSSION OF PLAGIARISM, CONSULT THE UNDERGRADUATE BULLETIN. 

 

3.  The introduction may be the most important part of an essay.  Its purpose is to indicate what the topic of the paper is and to excite some interest.  In short papers of the kind you are asked to write for this course, the introduction should not be very long.  Do not include substantive material in it that belongs in the body of the essay.  Instead, use the introduction to set up a problem you will resolve in the succeeding paragraphs.  Try to capture the reader’s interest by indicating why the topic is significant.  Starting with a relevant example is often an effective way to begin.

 

4.  Your conclusion should not simply recapitulate what you argued in the body of the paper – that is boring and repetitious.  The conclusion should be the final stage of your argument, where you answer the question you posed in the introduction or come to some judgement about the theory or case. 

 

5.  PROOFREAD AND REVISE YOUR ROUGH DRAFT!!  Leave yourself enough time to make changes.  Spelling and grammar are important, but watch especially for awkward language.  Do your sentences sound right when read aloud?  Are they wordy and imprecise?  Sloppy writing will be penalized!

 

6.  Do not exceed the page limit.  Part of your task is to make the argument in a limited space.  Be concise – eliminate the extraneous!

 

7.  Include a separate title page with a descriptive title for the essay, your name, the date, the course number and my name.  Always keep a copy of your essay in case it is misplaced.  Always turn in a paper copy – not a disk with the document on it and not e-mail with the document attached.

 

8.  Excellent papers are well written, clear, concise, and comprehensive.  In other words, they are nearly perfect in terms of both form and content.

 

Problem                                              Penalty

No introduction                                      1 grade

Weak or flat introduction                        ½ grade

Exceeds page limit                                 ½ grade

No references                                       1 grade

Insufficient references                           ½ grade

Incomplete exposition of material            ½ grade or more

Repetition of extraneous material            ½ grade or more

Confusing organization                           ½ grade or more

Writing errors                                        ½ grade or more

 

*note – this advice sheet is a slightly altered version of one created by Dr. Robert Mayer, of the Political Science Department at Loyola University for his classes.