J. Kelly Robison

Paper Writing Guidelines

Generally speaking, research papers should be double-spaced, and the font-size should not exceed 12. In this age of computers, a hand-written paper is not acceptable.   Follow a recognized style manual such as Turabian or Chicago Manual of Style.

I. Structure and Content of Research Papers

You are encouraged to be critical and creative in your paper. Do not shy away from formulating your own opinions as long as you can support them with sufficient evidence.

Your paper should consist of three parts:

1. Introduction: The main element of the introduction is the thesis statement, the main argument of the paper. The introduction should also explain the relationship between the paper topic and the course theme. The introduction should tell the reader what you are going to do in the rest of the paper and list the main sources you used. It should include a reference to your underlying assumptions in approach in the paper topic.

2. Main Body: In addition to giving a short chronological overview of the main historical developments, the main part of the paper should be devoted to analyzing the selected material. It should reveal the evidence for your thesis statement and delineate the way in which you arrived at your argument. It should also explain why you agree or disagree with certain interpretations.

3. Conclusion: The conclusion should summarize your findings and the evidence that supports them. It should not introduce new material, but can include suggestions for further research or bring up questions or hypotheses for further discussion. Make sure that your conclusion does not contradict your thesis statement.

II. Rhetorical Concerns

When writing your paper, make sure that it fulfill the following criteria:

• Unity (logical development and flow of thought)
• Focus (staying on the topic without wandering)
• Coherence (sentences and paragraphs fit into each other; logical transitions)
• Development (supporting generalizations with sufficient evidence, examples, etc.)
• Sufficiency (saying enough to prove the point)

III. Paper Topics and Sources

Depending on the length and topic of the paper, you should read about 4-6 books and a number of journal-length articles. Your literature should include both primary and secondary source materials. Your paper should address the existing scholarly debate on the subject matter.

Once you have decided on a topic and the literature for your paper, you should engage in a critical analysis of the material. This should include:

• Gathering and summarizing the arguments and evidence put forward by the authors
• Comparing and contrasting the interpretations
• Understanding-the biases and assumptions underlying the conflicting views
• Developing your own views and interpretations
• Developing a thesis statement that ties the paper together
• Writing up a rough draft

Warning: Plagiarism is a serious offense. Make sure that you add citations or otherwise credit the author when you use arguments and evidence Put forward in the critical literature, and that you make a clear distinction between your own views and interpretations and those you are paraphrasing.

All in all, a good paper displays the following characteristics:

• It addresses the TOPIC. The THESIS is defendable, clearly focused, and effectively explained. The writer is aware of the COMPLEXITIES of his/her subject matter, and clearly incorporates sufficient EVIDENCE to support the thesis.
• The essay is well-ordered. The relation among the parts is clear and transitions are fluent. Quotations from readings are used to support the writer's argument. There is an appropriate balance between providing evidence from the text(s) and analyzing that evidence within the essay. The relation between evidence and argument is consistently clear.
• The writer uses a variety of sentence and paragraph types and lengths. There are no significant errors in grammar, usage, and presentation. All quotations are acknowledged in the assigned style of citation.

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