Deadlines Submit your papers because of the deadlines stated in the syllabus. You have three grace days for all papers except the paper that is final which is why 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 really is, some social people forget.
- b) Introductory Paragraph or Thesis. A thesis paragraph states what you’re setting off to show in your paper and just how you shall do that. An paragraph that is introductory your reader with a definite knowledge of what the paper is about. In general it is a idea that is good steer clear of the overuse for the first person voice, since this can interrupt the flow of one’s prose. Here are some examples to give some thought to:
Effective paragraph that is introductory does not use “I”: In Dakota-A Spiritual Geography, Kathleen Norris writes about her life in the Western plains of the United States. She describes it as a type of monastic world in which she has been able to come in touch with her spiritual roots through the lives of the people there, the land, and the solitude of her own life that is inner. She does not falsely idealize life from the plains as some type of paradise out of the urban jungle. In fact, she actually is critical associated with insularity and pettiness regarding the towns that are small which she lives and works. Instead 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 need to get to learn her and also the plains better. Effective introductory paragraph that uses “I”: In reading Dakota-A Spiritual Geography, I became struck by the beauty of Kathleen Norris’ prose along with her capacity 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. In the beginning, I read her act as the account of a lady and a culture vastly not the same as my personal. I became aware that, in some ways, her world mirrored mine as I continued to read, however. While speaking out of a distinct geographical and landscape that is cultural Norris could make us recognize attributes of our personal lives of which we might not have 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 regarding the relation between the Dakotas as a geographical location and a place that is spiritual. I will show there is a match up between the two. I shall use ideas from her work 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 in the Dakotas.
- c) Conclusion. In conclusion brings the ideas of the paper back to succinct focus. This could involve some summarizing but should also refocus ideas by reformulating several of your thesis/introductory ideas in a way not possible without having browse the body of the paper. May very well not answer all questions that you raised or resolve all issues outlined in your introduction. One method to conclude your paper is to raise further questions, showing your understanding of their existence and possibilities for further inquiry. Sometimes, the most effective questions give rise to even more questions.
- d) Documentation. If you make generalizations or assertions, document your claims with references, either through the readings or even the lectures. Then i will not know where your ideas came from if you make a statement that seems controversial and you don’t cite a reference. You simply can’t be too careful on this point.
- e) Format for References. For the final paper, my goal is to ask that you all use footnotes or endnotes following the format given into the syllabus plus the writing sample. Please be aware the usage of commas and parentheses. For shorter papers, you may use parenthetical notes. (You should follow one of several formats that are standard parenthetical use.)
- f) Page numbers. Just in case all pages and posts come loose, I shall manage to read your paper.
- g) Use block quotations for citations four lines or longer. When block that is using, don’t use quotation marks at the beginning and end associated with block. Use the margin command rather than the tab command to generate block quotations. This may make it much easier for you.
- h) Subheadings. These are not necessary, however you may think it is helpful to insert subheadings while you go along. You can be helped by them to arrange your paper as well as to let the reader know that new topics are increasingly being addressed.
- a) Look at your spelling. There ought to be few errors in this regard.
- b) Run-on and sentences that are incomplete. Avoid sentences which can be a long time. Check to make certain that there is no need incomplete sentences.
- c) Punctuation. Punctuation should follow standard guidelines. There is often confusion about commas. There are some simple rules that will keep you out of trouble. We have summarized them here. Otherwise, consult a writing manual or ask the instructor. “The Elementary Rules of Usage” from William Strunk’s the current weather of Style covers most cases of comma usage including those that connect with independent and clauses that are dependent.
- d) Tenses. Be consistent in your use of past and present tense. If you’re writing a thought paper (ideas, philosophy), it is accepted practice to put everything in today’s tense. For example, you may write, “The Buddha says, . . . .” or “The Tibetan master Milarepa behaves in unconventional ways.” You should put scholarly assertions in the present tense (“I think,” “Gregory Schopen states”) and historical facts in the past (“Shakyamuni delivered a sermon,” “Devadatta turned traitor”) if you are writing a research paper dealing with historical issues,. In every case, be consistent.
There are a few stylistic matters to note.
- a) Use natural English. There’s no necessity 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) Avoid using too many conjunctions and qualifiers, such as for instance “however,” “then,” and “given that.” Usually, your reader will know how one sentence relates write my paper for me to the following without having the usage of these terms, together with paper that is resulting be better to read. Use your own judgement that is good 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 mention to both sexes is unacceptable. You will find a true number of strategies you can use to negotiate this matter. You might use i) male and female pronouns alternately, ii) neutral pronouns such as “one” and “they”; however, avoid mixing these two pronouns in the sentence that is same iii) both (When an individual finds him or herself in this example . . .), or iv) “s/he”. You will find, however, possible exceptions. When you yourself have any questions regarding this, please see me.
Don’t use “one” and “they” as pronouns for the referent that is sameThis confusion arises due to the usage of “they” instead of “his” or “her.”) Be cautious by using humans or human beings to replace “men.” “Human beings” is usually more appropriate than “humans,” and sometimes “people” is a better choice.
Common Errors
- a) ” distinctive from.” “not the same as” could be the correct usage, not “different than.”
- b) “Complementary” versus “Complimentary.” Be sure to know the difference 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 ramifications of having too much inventory, but one cannot easily affect nationwide economic trends that may decrease consumer demand.
- D) A “novel” is a ongoing work of fiction. Memoirs, journals, biographies, and autobiographies are nonfiction works. Do not relate to them as “novels.”
