Preparation
Please follow these instructions carefully. Points will be deducted from your term paper for failure to do so.
Format
- The term paper should be no more than 15 pages in length.
- Each critical position paper should be 3-5 pages in length.
- The paper should have 1" margins all around.
- The type font should be Times New Roman, size 12.
- All text other than references should be double-spaced; type references in single space.
- All pages except the first page should be numbered (center, bottom).
- Be aware that some professional publications prohibit the use of personal pronouns. Almost all sociology journals allow the use of personal pronouns. Because the written assignments here ask for your personal opinions, feel free to use the pronouns "I" and "me."
- I suggest that the papers be written in third person, present tense (e.g., Sapp adheres to a realist philosophy in that...).
Citations and References
Use this style for citations placed within the text:
- For one or two authors use all names.
- Sapp (2001) found that....
- A recent study (Sapp and Korsching, 2004) suggested that...
- For more than two authors, use the name of the first author and "et al."
- Smith et al. (2003) found that....
- A recent study (Smith et al., 2003) suggested that...
Use this style for references:
- Sapp, S.G. and P.F. Korsching. 2004. This Is a Book. Ames, IA: Vanity Press.
- Smith, I.M., S.G. Sapp, P.F. Korsching, and U.R. Stuck. 2003. This is a research article in a magazine or journal. Name of Journal, 10: 23-46. [The first number is the volume, followed by the page numbers.]
- Sapp, S.G. 2001. This is a chapter in a book. Pp. 132-167 in, Smith, I.M., Title of the Book. New York, NY: Free Press.
- Sapp, S.G. 2003. This is an article posted on a web site. Title or Name of the Web Site. http://www.webpage.html.
Plagiarism
Be careful to avoid plagiarism. Direct quotations should be placed in quotation marks; indent lengthy quotations. All text that paraphrases the work of someone else should list the source as a citation. Ask Dr. Sapp for advice if you have questions.
Technical Writing
You will receive significant point deductions on your papers for poor quality writing. I suggest learning the basics of good technical writing by visiting Iowa State University's Writing and Media Help Center or use the online resources listed below. I strongly suggest following the directions provided on the Tips on Technical Writing web page.
Helpful Web Sites
These web sites provide extensive on-line lessons in technical writing:
These sites provide quick references to common mistakes made in technical writing:
Submission
Please submit your assignment as a paper copy and in electronic format.
Paper Submission
- Submit a paper copy of your assignment to Dr. Sapp or place it in his mailbox in Room 101 East Hall.
- Your paper should be submitted prior to the due date. Late submissions will be penalized according to the time overdue. Expect a minimum of 5 points deduction for a late paper.
- There is no need to package your paper in covers or folders. Simply staple it in the upper left corner.
Electronic Submission
- In addition to the paper copy, submit your paper to Dr. Sapp in Microsoft Word format for the IBM-compatible computer (pc).
- The file name for the electronic submission should be in the form: LastName.Assignment. For example, Dr. Sapp would name his file: Sapp.Paper.
- The electronic version of your term paper should be submitted by email to: ssapp@iastate.edu.
