FORMAT OF TERM PAPERS FOR MR. FREED’S CLASSES

Term papers should follow the guidelines below. If your word processing program is unable to comply, please contact me for modifications to the guidelines. You'll need to be familiar with how to create sections, headers, format documents and paragraphs, do page numbering and other important features using your word processing program, so plan ahead. If you use Microsoft Word, you may want to take a course or purchase one of the many books that cover these topics.

NUMBER OF COPIES
For face-to-face classes, if you want your paper returned to you, hand in two copies. One will be graded and returned, the other will be retained in my files. If you submit your paper electronically, one copy is sufficient.

PAPER AND MARGINS
You may use either A-4 or US letter size (8.5 X 11) paper. Margins should be 1-inch on all four sides. Insert your last name and page number in a header in the top right margin, 1/2 inch from the top of each page.

SPACING AND INDENTATION
Indent the first line of each paragraph approximately 1/2 inch. Long quotes (more than 3 lines) should be indented an additional 1/2 inch from the left margin only. Don't use quotation marks for long quotes, just indent. In MLA, everything is double-spaced, including long quotes and references.

FONT
Use a 12 point font of your choice. Script fonts and handwritten papers are not acceptable.

TITLE PAGE
This is not standard MLA, but use this instead. Center the title of your paper approximately four inches (10 cm) down from the top of the page. Type the course number under the title.

Approximately three inches (8 cm) from the bottom of the page place the statement: 

"This paper is entirely my own work. I have credited all ideas and data that are not my own original ones with source citations and have included all sources used on a Works Cited page. "

________________ 
(signature and date) 

For papers submitted electronically, simply type your name and the date.

ABSTRACT PAGE. I do not require an abstract page.

PAGE NUMBERS 
Include a running head with your name and the page number 1/2" down in the top right margin. Include Works Cited pages, but exclude the title page, when numbering. Length requirements for all papers are based on the body of the paper, not including Works Cited and Title pages.

PARENTHETICAL NOTES, REFERENCES PAGE
Use MLA format for your citations and references page. Remember that proper format is part of the grade, so strive for accuracy. Instructions for how to cite sources is available at Citation Machine (<http://citationmachine.net/>) and Noodle Tools (<http://www.noodletools.com/>) web sites. It's also a good idea to invest in a copy of the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers as it will be useful for other papers you write during your UMUC career. The 6^th edition has been updated to include citations of websites and other electronic sources.

Format your references using a hanging indentation of 1/2 inch for lines after the first one and double space entries (but don't quadruple space between entries).  Make sure you understand when to use a parenthetical citation and when to use a footnote. Here's a guide and links to a sample paper that gives examples: <http://www.dianahacker.com/resdoc/p04_c08_o.html#p04_c08_o>.

TIPS

Parenthetical citations should only be used when the information is not identifiable in the text of your paper. Many websites do not have page numbers, so make sure you've identified the source clearly in your text.

Keep track of your sources from the very beginning of your research with good note taking procedures. It will save time in the long run.

Plagiarism is a serious academic offense. It includes much more than simply quoting directly without credit and includes ideas and knowledge not commonly known. Purchasing term papers or using one written by a friend (or one you already used in another course) also are illegal. Don't plagiarize--even if I don't catch you, you lose. You can review the penalties at: < http://www.umuc.edu/policy/aa15025.shtml>.

GRAMMAR AND SPELLING
Check and recheck. If you have a spelling and/or grammar checking feature with your word processing program, use them. Remember their limitations, though. A word may be spelled properly, but still not be the word you intended to use. Have someone else read the paper to find errors you may have overlooked. Try to finish the paper far enough ahead of time that you can set it aside for a few days before final polishing.

In accordance with the UMUC Undergraduate Catalog: "Significant errors in grammar, punctuation and spelling on written assignments will be downgraded. No student will be awarded an A (outstanding scholarship) on assignments when ineffective writing creates an obvious failure to communicate."

BINDERS AND FILE FORMAT
Plastic or other binders are not required. Simply staple the pages together in the top left corner. If submitting electronically, use .RTF format (Rich Text File). Just choose this option when you "Save As."

GRADING
Content: 75%
Spelling and grammar: 10%
Format: 15%