IAFS 1000

3 Dec 2009

Final Paper Guidelines

Hard copies of your final papers are due in your TA’s mailbox by 4:59 pm on Wednesday, December 9.  Late papers will be penalized a third of a grade for each day late (e.g. a B paper submitted one day late will receive a B-.)  You must also submit a copy to turnitin.com, following the instructions at <http://www.colorado.edu/history/chester/IAFS1000Turnitin.htm>.  Be sure to include your last name in the file name when you upload your paper to Turnitin.

Keep in mind that you may not use internet sources for this paper, with the exception of material on the approved list posted on the course website, unless you have permission to do so from your TA.  Wikipedia is not an approved source.

Your paper must have a clear argument.  It must be analytical, rather than merely descriptive; in other words, it should not simply summarize an issue.

Top-notch papers will:

1) state an argument clearly on the first page.  Your argument should not be obvious.  In other words, another reasonable observer looking at the same evidence could come up with a different argument.  The best papers will address those alternative explanations and show why your argument is superior.

2) make clear the significance of the topic.  Answer the “so what?” question.  Why is it worth writing a paper on this topic?

3) show how the argument is based on evidence.  The sources you use must provide the foundation for your argument.

Your paper must be 10-15 pages, double spaced.  Citations must be properly formatted.  We suggest you use a minimum of ten sources.

We will use the following rubric in grading your paper.

Final Paper Grade Sheet

Name:

________________________________________________________________________

A paper with these characteristics . . .                                  . . . will fall into this range

Clear, thoughtful, non-obvious argument                                            A

Acknowledgement and analysis of alternative arguments

Excellent analysis

Excellent grammar and style

Complete, properly formatted citations

Clear argument                                                                                  B

Leaning towards description rather than analysis

Good grammar and style

Minor problems with citations

Lack of clear argument                                                                      C

Lack of adequate analysis

Problems with grammar and style

Significant problems with citations

No argument                                                                                     D

Major problems with grammar and style

Major problems with sources

Lack of any identifiable organization                                                   F

________________________________________________________________________

Late penalty/length penalty (if any):

Overall grade:   _______/ 100                          Letter grade:

Overall impression:

For additional comments, please see margins throughout