The basic objective of writing assignments is to improve your ability to understand what you have read, to improve your ability to reason, and to improve your ability to communicate.

Essays should be typed, double-spaced, with normal fonts and 1" margins. The essay should explicitly cite the readings (when quoting and making other references) through the use of footnotes (or endnotes).

These papers will be graded based on the quality of the content and analysis as well as its written style and overall presentation. Each paper should be as polished and professional in appearance and contents as possible. Do not be careless. A sloppy paper reflects a sloppy thinker, and the grade for the paper will reflect this. Remember: you will be evaluated for content, style, and quality of analysis. In short, you will be evaluated based upon the level of analysis and understanding demonstrated in your writing.

Overall, each paper should be well-written and well-organized--in other words, clear and concise. It should have an introductory section and a concluding section. The purpose behind the introduction and the conclusion is to communicate/recapitulate the purpose and importance of the research question as well as promote a coherent overview of the entire paper. The transition between one paragraph and another must be smooth, and the discussion within a paragraph must be clear and concise. Each paragraph after the introductory section should discuss a key point or idea.

About Structure and Content. The essay should be composed of three basic parts: an introduction, the body of the paper, and the conclusion.

i) introduction — You need to introduce the topic of the question you selected and mention how you plan to address it.

ii) body of the paper — You should discuss the major points or factors that directly address the question. This should flow naturally from the introduction. Historical and factual material should be integrated only if they support your major points. Given the space limitations, do not get bogged down in detail or trivial points. Emphasize analysis, not just description.

iii) conclusion—You should briefly summarize the major theme(s) of the essay and/or draw some concluding implications.

About Style. The essay should be well-written and well-organized—-in other words, clear and coherent. The purpose behind the introduction and the conclusion is to promote clarity and coherence. The transition between one paragraph and another must be smooth, and the discussion within a paragraph must be clear and concise. Each paragraph after the introductory paragraph should discuss a key point or idea. Therefore, THINK about what you are going to say and how you are going to say it. THE BURDEN IS ON YOU to be as clear and understandable as possible.

Assume you are writing for a general and educated audience--do not assume that the reader has read the course material or can make the links between the course material and the contemporary event. Do not say "here's what's in the reading" or "see how the two readings go together." You are responsible for communicating clearly and making these connections.

The essay should explicitly cite the readings (when quoting and making other references) through the use of footnotes (or endnotes).

You are encouraged to get feedback from others and consult The Writing Center in the Humanities Building (7-7078).

Have your peers critique your work before you turn it in.

1. Follow directions and guidelines above. READ MORE THEN THAN ONCE AND READ CAREFULLY.
2. Have a cover page with your name, the class and essay title. Just staple the paper (no fancy covers please).
3. Avoid the first person (use of "I").
4. Do not identify with the U.S. government (avoid "we", "our", etc.).
5. Have the first paragraph be an introductory paragraph that makes it clear to the reader what topic you are addressing
6. Each paragraph should express one major idea or point.
7. Each paragraph should clearly follow from the previous paragraph.
8. End with a concluding paragraph.
9. The whole essay should be organized so that there is a logical progression from the beginning to end.
10. Discuss and cite the readings in support of the point that you are making.
11. Footnote all quotes and statements of fact (not just quotes).
12. Check your spelling, grammar, and sentence structure.
13. Keep within the page length limitations.