AMH 4512 GUIDELINES FOR ESSAYS

 

General:

· You are responsible for following these guidelines.

· Essays are due at the beginning of class on their respective due dates.   No late papers accepted.

· Final Projects do not need to follow any of the stylistic guidelines that would make the “Memorandum” less realistic.

 

Format:

· Type and double-space your essays.
· Use Times New Roman 12 point font.
· Margins no bigger than 1.25 inches on sides; 1 inch on top/bottom.
· STAPLE your essay. No report covers please.

 

 

Style:

· Spelling and grammar do count. Proofread carefully.
· Use third person (he, she, it). Avoid 1st person (I, me) and 2nd person (you, your).
· Avoid contractions (can't, won't, etc.). Spell them out.
· Use semi-colons ( ";" ) sparingly, if at all.
· Avoid phrases like, "you can see"; "in my opinion"; or "as I have shown".
· When referring to books, italicize or underline titles.  When referring to articles, use “quotes.”
· Use present tense when talking about contemporary authors. Use past tense when talking about events and people from the past.

[E.g. George F. Kennan explains that U.S. foreign policy was too moralistic….]

 

 

Citations:

· For your short essay, you should not use sources other than those assigned in class.

· When citing a source used in class, simply put page numbers for quotations from the text in parentheses following the quotation marks.

·        [E.g. Kennan writes that "this legalistic approach to foreign affairs is faulty." (99)]
· If you use sources from outside the course materials, provide a complete citation to avoid charges of plagiarism.
· Do not mention page numbers in the text of your essay.

[E.g. On page 37 Kennan says, …]

 

Quotes:

· Please do not quote my lectures. You may use material from lecture, of course, but there is no need to cite it or quote from it.
· Make sure you introduce your quotes: As Kennan states, "This legalistic approach to foreign affairs is faulty." (99)
· Explain your quotes: By saying this, Kennan is indicating that….
· Refer to authors by last name. [i.e. Don't write: George thinks that…]
· Do not use ellipses (...) at the beginning or end of quotes. Use them only in the middle.

[e.g. Kennan writes that this " legalistic approach … is faulty." (99)]

 

Late Policy:

· Essays will not be accepted after 5pm on due date.
· Unless approved in advance, exceptions will be granted for serious, verifiable, emergencies only.
· Essays turned in any time after the beginning of class on due date will be marked down 10%.

 

 

Return to AMH 4512 Essay Assignment page.

 

Return to Course Home Page

 

Return to K. Osgood’s Home Page