Research Paper Specifics

Paper O At least TWO pages of writing (your REFERENCE page does not count!) O DOUBLE spaced O ONE INCH margins on ALL sides

O The font that must be used for your ENTIRE paper is TIMES NEW ROMAN O The font size for the ENTIRE paper is 12 O When using Microsoft word, be sure to select “NO SPACING” in the styles section in the HOME tab to properly space your paper

O Include a PAGE number at the top of each page of your paper O In Word, go to the INSERT tab O Select PAGE NUMBER and click on that O When the options appear, choose TOP of page, PLAIN Number 3

O The header box should then appear with the number at the top, RIGHT corner of the page. O Leave the number as is; put the cursor directly in FRONT of the number and TYPE the first word or two of the TITLE of your paper.

O Be sure everything is in the proper font and size; then, choose “Close Header and Footer”. This will then appear on all pages of your paper, and the page number will change automatically for you! O Set all of these formatting specifics before you even begin typing, save your document, and save frequently as you go; then, you won’t have to worry about these things as you type!

Reference Page O Be sure the correct PAGE number appears on this page O This is the LAST page of your paper O The word REFERENCES should be capitalized and CENTERED at the top of your page before you begin typing the reference page entries

O Entries should be in ALPHABETICAL order O This page should also be DOUBLE spaced O Be sure your entries are formatted using a HANGING indent O Entries must be in APA format (see your Snoopy packet for help)

Sources O At least FOUR sources must be used in your paper O You must have a mix of at least THREE different types of sources in your paper

O Remember, sources from a DATABASE can be different types (like MAGAZINE articles, newspaper articles, or JOURNAL articles) O Be sure to have all NECESSARY source information when you are researching so you can properly CITE the source information on your REFERENCE page

In Your Paper O Be sure to include your THESIS at the end of your INTRODUCTION O Follow your OUTLINE to help you in writing your paper

O You need to include specific EXAMPLES to help you prove your point in your paper (like SONG lyrics, descriptions of VIDEO games/television shows/MOVIES, etc. that will help your reader better understand your topic; just be sure to include a parenthetical note and reference page information for this! O Hint: pretend that you are trying to convince someone that believes the OPPOSITE of you in relation to your topic; make them see YOUR point of view!

The Five Characteristics of Good Writing

CharacteristicDescription Focus  Establishes a controlled and focused thesis for the topic of the paper  Displays a clear understanding of the task, purpose, and audience for the paper Content  Provides related content and specific, effective details and multiple examples that relate to the topic of the paper  Ideas are linked together in a cohesive manner and with meaningful and smooth transitions Organization  Uses sophisticated organizational strategies that are appropriate for the type of writing, task, topic, purpose, and audience of the paper  Includes a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion Style  Uses precise, consistent language as well as a variety of sentence structures to avoid sentence structures and run-on sentences  A consistent point of view is maintained throughout the writing Grammar/Mechanics  Proper and correct use of punctuation and capitalization  Words are spelled correctly  Grammar and usage is correct and consistent in the writing

HELPFUL HINTS (SEE SNOOPY PACKET)

O A good INTRODUCTION or CONCLUSION is at least THREE or FOUR sentences in length. O Body paragraphs are generally FIVE to SEVEN sentences in length.

O When you end a PARAGRAPH you must only hit enter ONE time. Then INDENT the next line and begin your next paragraph. (If you hit enter TWICE and you are already double-spacing, you will end up “double double-spacing”, and this is INCORRECT. It will make your paper look longer than it is, and you may LOSE points for length.).

O Be sure to include numerous SPECIFIC examples about your topic to enhance your thesis like MUSIC lyrics or descriptions of MOVIES, television shows, or even summaries of REAL occurrences; just be sure to use a PARENTHETICAL NOTE when using them in your paper to credit the source! O Do not refer to HISTORICAL figures, musicians, authors, actors/actresses, etc. by their FIRST name alone. You are not their close personal friend – be formal!

O Do not use ABBREVIATIONS unless you are referring to something that can be represented by commonly known initials (like USA). You can also use an abbreviation as long as you WRITE OUT and explain what the letters stand for the first time it is used. O When using NUMBERS you should WRITE OUT any numbers below TEN and any numbers that are the FIRST word in a SENTENCE.

O Do not use BOLD, underlining or ITALICS just to make something stand out. Only use these things when they are APPROPRIATE (like for titles of written works). O Titles of television shows, books, movies, music albums, magazines, etc. are UNDERLINED or in ITALICS.

O Titles of articles, songs, and such are in QUOTES. O Your term paper must be written in THIRD PERSON. This means that you are talking about people you are not involved with (not yourself or the reader of your paper) O You may NOT use I, me, my, mine, we, us, our, ours, you, your, or yours. O You may use he, she, it, him, her, his, hers, its, they, them, their, theirs, those, these, this

Transition words These words can be used to make transitions between two paragraphs or even two sentences. Use them to help you make your paper more interesting and to avoid using the same words over and over again. O About O During O Until O Tomorrow O Finally O But O Still O Therefore O In summary O Along with O As a result O By comparison O Nevertheless O Compared to O Concurrently O In spite of O Because O Unquestionably O Furthermore O Definitely O Moreover O After O Before O Second O Today O Next O As soon as O Otherwise O Besides O Last O As well O Lastly O To begin with O Surprisingly O Subsequently O Evidently O Previously O In this case O In this incident O Absolutely O Following O Naturally O At O Third O Later O Soon O When O However O Again O Another O Below O Above O Whereas O Preceding O Thus O Indeed O Since O This O In fact O Never O Always O Because O In addition O First O Meanwhile O Yesterday O Then O Yet O Although O In conclusion O For instance O For example O On the other hand O At this point O Sometimes O Simultaneously O Of course O On this occasion O Undeniably O Obviously O Positively

Questions?