Formal writing skill is an important form of human expression that is critical for a well educated (and employable!) citizen. The discipline and principles of good formal writing improve creative and critical thinking abilities. However, good writing is more than technical skills. A well written paper is focused on a topic and written in a manner that supports and discusses the main ideas and appropriate counter ideas. A major part of this term paper assignment is for you to explore a topic not covered in depth in WC 120 because of time constraints. Pick something that interests you! You are asked to integrate your topic into the general course material and discuss how that topic affects the world today.
Mechanics:
The specific topic of your paper will be your selection in consultation with the instructor. The topic must be related in some way to the historical periods covered in this course (i.e., from the Expansionism period of the late 1500s to the present). Our consultation will help you to determine the scope and direction of the paper; select a limited and manageable topic you can cover in a minimum of 8 pages and a maximum of 11 pages. The title page, bibliography, and any illustrations do not count toward the final page total. The paper must be word processed (typed), double spaced, and of font size 12 or 13 (please, no exotic space-filling fonts). A separate title page is to be included, and the entire paper and title page are to be stapled in the upper left hand corner. Do not put the paper in a folder or plastic binder. In addition to the hard copy of your paper, you must turn in a version to Turnitin.com.
The paper must be based on library research and be properly documented. It must include a bibliography and appropriate footnotes or endnotes to show the source of quotations and specific information. Style is as described in Hodges’ Harbrace Handbook (14th edition), and information on evaluating information sources is given in Chapter 37.
You must use at least six (6) different sources of primary or secondary reference literature. Primary sources are either the original texts or first-hand accounts by a participant in an event. A secondary source is someone’s opinion, interpretation, or review of the primary sources. De Revolutionibus Orbium is the primary source regarding Copernicus’s views on a heliocentric solar system. This is the original text of Copernicus’s work. Galileo’s discussion of Copernicus’s work in his "Letter to the Grand Duchess Christina" constitutes a secondary source of information regarding Copernicus’s findings. As you take information more distant from the primary source, the more likely you are to get unreliable or inaccurate information. If you have doubts as to whether a source is a primary or secondary source, please consult with your instructor. Do not feel restricted by the library holdings; the library can obtain almost any book or article you need through Interlibrary Loan. You need to fill out a request form either in the library or through the library’s web site. The library staff will help you if you have questions. Allow sufficient time (at least 2 weeks) to obtain the book.
No more than one of these six sources may be an internet source; there will be no exceptions. You also may use no more than one encyclopedia article as a source.
You are required to turn in an outline of your paper on March 17, 2003. It is recommended that the subheadings of your outline be used to organize your paper sections. A complete draft with references is due April 4, 2003. The draft will be returned to you, and you must return the outline and the draft with the final paper on April 23, 2003. All deadlines are mandatory, and points will be subtracted from the final grade if the deadlines are not met.
Grading:
Papers will be graded using the scale of values listed below.
I. Coverage of Topic (90 points)
A. Thoroughness
B. Accuracy
C. Use of appropriate primary and secondary literature
D. Originality
E. Appropriate depth and supporting points
II. Logic and Organization (20 points)
A. Appropriate introduction to topic
B. Strong conclusion
C. Consistency
D. Clear flow of ideas
E. Correct interpretation of information
F. Integration of information
III. English Usage (25 points)
A. Correct grammar, spelling and punctuation
B. Concise and clear sentences
C. Appropriate use of tense and voice
D. Appropriate level of formalness
A. Typed, double-spaced, 1-inch margins, page numbers
B. Title page
C. List of references
D. Appropriate citation of references within text
E. Outline and draft included
Avoid the Following:
Lack of focus on the question or topic. Good writing stays on the main topic or question addressed. Be direct and deal with the important points. Wandering is neither creative nor acceptable. Likewise, filling the pages with information that is peripheral to the main topic (even if that information is accurate) is not appropriate. As you organize and re-read your drafts (yes, you must write many drafts if you want to do a good job!), continually ask yourself how each sentence pertains to the main topic. Subheadings helps in organizing the material and guiding the reader.
Lack of a clear introduction. A reader should not have to read 40 - 50% of a paper to determine what the paper is about or what main question is being addressed. In a couple of paragraphs, you should provide an introduction that indicates the purpose of the paper and its main topic, as well as the main points and structure that will follow.
"Dick and Jane" writing. Do not write in the short, choppy style of a first grade reading book. Short sentences may be part of the mix of sentences in your paper, but they need to be interspersed with more complex sentences. This adds style and interest to your work.
Wordy sentences. Just as bad as choppy sentences are overly worded sentences that say little. Often these sentences use phrases such as "There are many ..." For example, the sentence: "There have been many events that changed world history and how man looked at world history" says very little. How many events? Tens, thousands? Are you going to discuss all events? What kinds of changes occurred? Be more direct and specific. Vague, "fluff" prose will be severely marked down in grading.
Misuse of words. If you are not sure of the meaning of a word, look it up in the dictionary! There is no shame in that. Be sure to proofread your work; you should read your paper out loud to see if it makes sense. Spell checkers do not catch misused words.
Improper use of paragraphs. A paragraph should cover a single thought or topic. The first sentence (or possibly the second sentence) in a properly written paragraph is the topic sentence and describes the importance of the paragraph. A good technique in scanning a text is to make sure you understand the first couple of sentences of the paragraph.
Incomplete sentences. In formal writing you need to use subjects, verbs, and properly linked phrases. Save the "train of thought" type of incomplete sentences for creative writing.
Avoid slang terms and expressions that may be common in casual speech. Ptolemy’s idea of the universe may have "sucked big-time" (in your opinion), but it is inappropriate to use such phrases in formal writing. Avoid contractions and expressions like "a lot," "quite a bit," "maybe," "numerous times."Colloquialisms.