PAPER FORMAT FOR ESSAYS
DR. MARK SMILLIE

  1. All papers must be typed and double-spaced.
  2. Length: "4 pages" means at least 4 full pages; "3 pages" means at least 3 full pages; 6 pages means at least 6 full pages; etc. Part of the assignment is to make the essay fit the assigned length.
  3. If you are required to include several things in your paper, then you must include them.
  4. Failure to follow rules 2 & 3 means failure to complete the required assignment. The paper will be returned ungraded. You will have 24 hours to resubmit the assignment.
  5. Margins are about 1 inch at top and bottom; 1 inch at left and right. Turn off the right-hand justification if using a computer. Use left-justification only.
  6. Put your name, the instructor's name, and the date at the top right-hand corner of the first page. All subsequent pages should have page numbers in this corner.
  7. Using the "word count" feature of your word processing program, (under "tools" in Microsoft word), put the word count for your essay at the bottom of the essay.
  8. All essays have titles; the title should be appropriate to your essay's point.
  9. Paragraphs are indented five spaces. Do not skip lines between paragraphs.
  10. Font size: must be 10 cpi or 12-point. Type should be normal. Use italics for titles of books. Use italics for emphasis-but do this sparingly.
  11. Papers should be error free. Proof-read carefully.
  12. The paper must be stapled together. Do not use binders or covers.
  13. All direct quotations and paraphrases must be correctly and adequately cited. Use parenthetical quotation technique. Make sure the punctuation is correct.
  14. Quotations of more than three text lines in length should be set off from the main body of the text by a space on top and bottom, and indented both sides. Block quotes do not use quotation marks. Other quotations should be within the text, indicated as quotations by being contained by quotations marks, and correctly incorporated into your paragraphs and sentences.
  15. Format errors as well as grammatical errors may affect the final grade of the paper.
  16. Consult the course policy regarding late papers. Lateness may affect the final grade of the paper. If there is some problem that affects your ability to hand in the paper on time, you must contact me in advance.

 

ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAYS

Argumentative essays have an introduction, a body, and conclusion.

The introduction introduces the topic of the essay, tries to catch the reader's interest in the subject, and introduces the essay itself—clearly states a thesis which the essay will prove, and indicates how the paper will go about proving this thesis.

The body of the essay is where all the action happens. Write clearly and tightly, with a clear sense of purpose. Each paragraph should have one basic purpose or topic, and this purpose should be clearly related to the larger purpose of the essay—to persuade the reader of your thesis. Don't spin your gears by including paragraphs that have no point, or don't relate to your general goal. All your paragraphs should be coherent and well-developed.

The conclusion of the essay sums it up by restating what you've just done—you can't do that enough! and winds up by reflecting on it in some way. Don't introduce new points in your conclusion!