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PART
I: Content. (MOST IMPORTANT)
Does the
paper:
- have
a clearly defined thesis?
- support
the thesis throughout the paper by providing evidence, examples,
and arguments?
- contain
a good deal of textual work?
- consider
and respond to possible objections to the thesis?
- contain
rigorous argument, discussion, and engagement with the text(s)?
PART II:
Structure.
Does the
paper have:
- A
thesis statement in the opening paragraph?
- A
formal introduction or introductory paragraph which tells the reader
exactly what the
- layout
of the paper will be? In other words:
- Could
the reader use the formal introduction as an outline for the paper,
classifying each and every paragraph of the body of the paper under
some part of the formal introduction? (except for the conclusion,
which is not the same as the body of the paper)
- Clear
conceptual divisions that correspond to what you have promised
to do in the formal introduction? (Recommendation: make this
clear to the reader and yourself by using subheadings in the
paper to convey the divisions)
- A
conclusion which sums up what you have done and then ties it together
in some way that goes beyond the overview of the introduction?
PART III:
Process, Communication, and Polish.
In preparing
the final draft have you:
- Revised
the first draft of the paper with reference to my comments? You should
always address the problems I raise though you may choose to disregard
the specific methods I recommend.
- Inspected
each paragraph to make sure it is actually doing work in the paper?
Each paragraph should contribute to the clear conceptual division
it falls under (see previous checkpoint).
- Revised
any sentences which are confusing or redundant? Ask yourself, when in
doubt, "what is this sentence doing here?" Does it: explain, clarify,
illustrate, help to provide an example, etc?
- Edited
the paper for grammar, spelling, diction, and general clarity? Remember,
what you want to say must be communicated--grammar, spelling,
etc. are necessary parts of such communication.
- The
length of the paper is limited to 8 pages? (9 is the absolute max.)
If the paper exceeds the absolute maximum, cut it down--you will find
sentences (perhaps even paragraphs) that are unnecessary. If you
cannot, consult me.
PART IV:
Logistics. (The LS reader has some excellent material on this in an Appendix)
Before handing
the paper in have you made sure that:
- All
uses of an author's ideas, whether in his/her own words or in yours,
are properly acknowledged in the text? (For example, "Descartes
points out" "Locke states" "Kant discusses" etc.)
- All
quotations and uses of an author's ideas are properly cited and
formatted?
- You
have a proper Works Cited page? These would be the readings you have
used in the paper; see the Skidmore Guide to Writing or any other
manual of style for this.
- Double-spacing
is used throughout?
- The
pages are numbered?
- The
paper is stapled? (It must be STAPLED, not bound in some other
way)
- The
first draft is attached to the paper?
- The
paper has a title and your name is on the front page?
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