CSC 300, Turner

Paper Writing Rules (Your paper will be graded using this very list.)

 

 

FACTS: (20%) Concise, simple, clear, naturally raise the issue,  cite respectable sources for every fact.

 

ISSUE STATEMENT: (10%) Very concise and simple, one line is best, narrowly defined issue that you will resolve in your analysis.  Best in form of a one line question that you will answer in your analysis.)

 

ALTERNATIVE ARGUMENTS: (20%) Cover other thinkers’ thoughts about the issue in a neutral manner.  Cite sources for these arguments.  Cover the field.  Make none of your own argument.  Use descriptive subheadings to distinguish the arguments.

 

YOUR ANALYSIS: (50%) This is where you may make informed and reasoned judgments about the validity of others’ arguments, make new arguments of your own and justify them rationally.  You may propose solutions or direct the most ethical answer to the question.  Continue to cite sources for all facts and arguments used in your analysis.

 

BASIC TIPS:

• Do a spell check.  You can fail this paper simply by a lot of bad spelling.
• Check the grammar and clarity of writing.  A poorly written paper will result in a failing grade. (Trouble?  Review Strunk&White’s “The Elements of Style” or Kate Turabian’s similar book.)
• Use a clean, simple format to help the reader follow your writing.  Table of Contents, descriptive headings (and subheadings) to detail the “outline” of your arguments and analysis are very helpful.
• Number pages. 
• The paper should total more than 20 pages of “real” text, double spaced, small margins and normal fonts (12 max).  Graphs, tables, charts and pictures should only be included based on true value added, they must not be redundant with text.
• Begin where real text begins (not title page!)  Title page, abstract, table of contents, bibliography and appendices do not count towards the 20 page minimum length.
• Cite all facts and claims you make.  The quality of the citation is at issue, original sources are best. 
• It is poor form to rely on a single citation for several paragraphs.  Different citations to varied respectable sources are preferable.
• Use of secondary sources such as Wikipedia for some fact that has an original source is weak.
• Use proper quotation and citation formats.  Quotations should be short, single spaced, indented and cited.  Citations should be in MLA format.
• Your analysis must be rational and logical, opinion is irrelevant.  The Software Engineering Code of Ethics should be considered in your Analysis (not in your Arguments) as well as other systems of Ethics.  Recall that basic rational argument is made by stating facts, noting the issue and applying a general principle to come to a conclusion about a generalized set of facts.
• This paper is not a “report”.  You must criticize, synthesize or create an analytic argument that addresses the issue you stated.  (Check that your analysis gives a resolution to your stated issue!) 
• Other forms of paper may be considered by special permission (survey or hypothesis test, for instance.)