1. How to Avoid a Research Paper Disaster

2. Start Off on The Right Foot Appearance –Format –Type –Paper Binding Title page

3. Title Page Check your guidebook Keep it simple First impressions are important Title, name, class/section, date

4. First Page Make a strong immediate impression Appearance Spacing Thesis

5. The Rest Use quotes judiciously Keep your standards high Don’t use “stretcher” techniques

6. Getting Into the Right Frame of Mind Think positive Select a tone Take breaks Keep your tone consistent

7. Some Specifics Paragraphs Grammar Rhetorical questions Spelling Common errors Proofreading

8. Paragraphs Remember what a paragraph is supposed to do Be kind to your reader Count sentences Break when it makes sense

9. Grammar Remember the “big four” –Subject/verb agreement –Comma splices –Run-on sentences –Sentence fragments When in doubt, check your handbook

10. Rhetorical Questions If you use a question mark, make sure you provide an answer

11. Spelling Don’t rely on spell check Think about homonyms Think about commonly confused words

12. Common Errors Pronouns that refer to “people” specific nouns Antecedent agreement The “no-no’s” –a lot –due to

13. Proofreading Selecting your proofreader Three levels –word –sentence –paragraph

14. Documentation Selecting the right form Footnotes, endnotes, or in-text Correctness