Guidelines for Papers

College Composition

Dr. Downing

Kutztown University

Fall 2009

Preface• There is a lot of information in this slide show. I suggest you

review it on your own.

• The most significant learning aspect for most students involves mastering Modern Language Association (MLA) documentation.

• For information on MLA standards, visit the Online Writing Lab of Purdue University (also known as the OWL): http://owl.english.purdue.edu/

• Even though I am suggesting that MLA is important, I want to stress the point that all of the information contained in this slide show was generated by papers from my College Composition classes.

• Therefore, if you have not mastered certain aspects of this slide show, you should focus on the slides that pertain to you (particularly if you see that I have indicated such issues on your papers).

Follow the Models

• Always follow models closely. Few things aggravate a professor more than students who do not follow the models.

• We cannot help but think: “I am showing you exactly how to write these essays and you have not taken the time to review the models. What’s the deal?”

Format• Avoid contractions and abbreviations in formal writing.

• Avoid “I/You” trap. If you mean “I”, say “I”.

• Avoid “you” unless you are writing instructions for other people to follow.

• Left justify only. Right margin should be ragged.

• Fonts: Arial, Times New Roman, possibly Calibri.

• Put a space between your last name and page number in header.

• One inch margins.

• Centered title.

Sentences and Paragraphs

• Keep sentences simple and clear. • Keep sentences to a single thought. If you wish to

combine thoughts, you must learn how to link sentences with a “, cc” construction (fanboys).

• Keep paragraphs to a single topic. If you find yourself writing: “The final two points are…” You are going to get lost in the paragraph. Make one point per paragraph. Then create another paragraph.

Sentence Sense

• Sentences must have a subject, a verb, and must form a complete thought.

• Which of the following groups of words is not a sentence?

1. Before I came to school in 2007.

2. Joseph Campbell taught at Sarah Lawrence College.

3. After my car broke down and ran out of gas.

Present Tense

• Stay in present tense when discussing literature, essays, film, or articles. “Ruiz argues…” “Campbell claims…”

• This should be consistent throughout the paper. Otherwise, I will identify “shifting verb tense”.

Their/They’re/There

• “Their” is possessive: That is their house.

• “There” is location: She is over there.

• “They’re” is a contraction: They are (Avoid contractions in formal writing!)

Learn these!!!

What and How

• Avoid starting declarative sentences with “what” or “how,” because your reader thinks you are going to ask a question.

• When this happens, the reader has to re-read the sentence and convert it into a declarative sentence.

• Avoid: “What Ruiz means to say is…”

• Use this style: “Ruiz means to say…”

Colons vs. Semicolons

•Colons look like this :

• They are used before lists and to separate titles from subtitles

•Semicolons look like this ;

• They are used to separate two related independent clauses and items in a series that contain commas.

Unity

• Unity = the relationship between title, thesis, topic sentences, content, and conclusion.

• If one is out of whack, the unity of the paper is at risk.

• Each of these elements should reinforce one another.

Titles

• Your titles: Create accurate titles. If you want to be creative, use a main title and subtitle. The main title can be creative or symbolic; the subtitle can be accurate. Separate the two with a colon :

• For example, “Restoring the Myths: Converting Stereotype to Archetype in Five Plays of August Wilson.”

• Other titles: Book titles should be in italics; article titles should be in “quotation marks.”

• Do not blend italics and underline in the same paper. Pick one and stick with it. They both mean the same thing. Italics are preferred because underlining = Web link.

Word Count and Repitition

• Stay within word count limits. Too many words creates sloppy writing. Too few words indicates a lack of development.

• Many of you are at the stage where you need to practice tightening your essays.

• Be sure to give the reader credit: If you have already mentioned a certain point, you seldom need to repeat it.

Quotes• Be sure to directly quote primary and secondary sources

in your papers.• You MUST quote any information in your paper that is

taken verbatim from another source.• Do not dump quotes. You should not replace your own

writing with extended quotes from a book or article just to hit your word count. Quotes should be used judiciously, not carelessly.

• Avoid orphan quotes. This means that you should introduce all quotes : “Ruiz writes…” “Campbell claims...”

“According to…”

• When you bring a source into your paper, use “According to…”

• Then cite the author’s name, essay or book title, website, and other appropriate information.

• Provide a direct quote or two from the primary text to enable the reader to understand your starting point.

Authors

• Refer to authors by last name:

• “Ruiz,” not “Miguel.”

• “Campbell” not “Joseph.”

• The only exception is when you are referring to them within a family situation where one or more persons might share the same last name.

Sources• Always cite all sources for college-level papers.

• Use “According to…” to introduce your sources

• Use parenthetical citations to take the reader to the Works Cited page (Downing 16).

• Always include a works cited page for college-level essays (unless otherwise instructed).

• Many of you are precisely at this point: Your writing is solid. Now, you must master MLA documentation.

• See the OWL at Purdue.

• See the MLA Handbook for details on MLA documentation.

Conclusions: Use Your Own Words

• Avoid ending paragraphs and/or papers with quotes from another person. Do not allow another author to steal your thunder.

• A lawyer in a courtroom would NEVER allow someone else to have the final word.

• If you want to use a strong quote, use it at the beginning rather than at the end of your paper.– You can even place the quote just under your title,

before you begin your actual paper.

• End paragraphs and papers in your own words.

Works Cited

• Under MLA guidelines, the reference page should be called Works Cited (not “sources”; not “references”).

• Entries on the Works Cited page should be listed in alphabetical order (typically with author’s last name).

• Entries on the Works Cited page should use reverse indentation.

• Be sure to provide entire URL on Works Cited page:

“About Joseph Campbell.” The Joseph Campbell

Foundation. 2007. October 12, 2008. http://www.jcf.org/new/index.php?categoryid=11

Works Cited (continued)

• URLs should NEVER appear in the body of your paper.

• The complete URL for the cited article should appear at the end of the entry on the Works Cited page (see next slide).

• Listing the URL for the website’s index page is not enough. The link should take me to the actual article.

• The connection point between the parenthetical reference and the Works Cited page should begin with the Works Cited entry (see next slide).

Works Cited (continued)

• For example:, if your Works Cited entry looks like this:

“About Joseph Campbell.” The Joseph Campbell Foundation. 2007. October 12, 2008. http://www.jcf.org/new/index.php?categoryid=11

• Then the information you place in parentheses should look like this:

• (“About Joseph Campbell”). That will take me directly to the article on your Works Cited page.

Proofreading

• Read your work out loud to yourself.

• Sentences should be clear and to the point. If it sounds bad, it should be re-written.

• Start drafts immediately and make sure to share them with the professor during office hours or classroom workshop.

• Visit the Writing Center and find someone you can work with.

Final Thoughts• Good writing does not require that

you be a genius. Instead, it requires that you put TIME into your assignments.

• Start early, ask lots of questions, read your work aloud, and seek other eyes. That’s the secret to success in College Composition.

Questions?