Rx2

A reaction paper or RX is intended for you to respond to and provide your perspective on a given subject. That response will be based upon your understanding of the text, within its context.

Writing is often a challenge as it requires thought, research, writing, editing, and more writing and editing. It should suffice to state that a well written paper requires time. Writing one the night before (yes, many have done it) is not a good approach.

Basic Guidelines. There will be four RX assignments. Each will double spaced, employing a readable 14-point font, and limited to a range of 500-525 words. Anything shorter or longer is subject to a half-grade penalty. The exceptions to the word count are your name, the works cited listing, and the honor code.

Only your name and class number should be found at the top of page 1.

Ex. Laurence Winer Foundations of the American Experience 5222.

It is strongly suggested that you minimize use of any pronoun. You wrote the paper, so “I think” is not necessary. “you” should be avoided. The word “one” is better.

Except when using a quotation, do not use contractions.

And limit the use of quotations. It is almost always better to paraphrase a statement and cite it. Overuse of quotations is a form of plagiarism and will affect the grade. Avoid passive (would have, could have, etc.).

Pay attention to syntax, clarity, spelling.

Each RX must cite the text and use at least two outside sources. Using Plato (others) from a source different from the text is not an outside source. Further, the outside source should be from a reputable writer who has worked with the material. So a PhD or MA, while preferable, is not required. But someone with no background in the subject but decided to post online (or elsewhere) is not recommended. Other sources such as a dictonary—which are good for clarity—should not be considered as an outside source. And the documents we are studying in Morgan must be used for reference and cited.

Do have in mind that the text is an anthology. Morgan is the editor, not writer of the documents. The outside works used to support the argument can be older or recent.

The essay should focus on the questions, the prompt. Minimize the introduction. Any conclusion--and none is necessary--should be kept to a minimum.

All RX papers require a works cited listing, formatted according to MLA guidelines.

The citations and listings will follow Modern Language Association (MLA) guidelines. These guidelines may be found online. I recommend against using a citation generator as they are often incorrect, and you should know how to cite. A point about citing. Any information not generally known should be cited. An old rule is that if the writer is not sure, cite!

Place the honor code statement at the end of the RX, after the works cited listing. The essay will not be accepted with the code.

Please note that all papers are submitted to Veracite. Be careful about plagiarism. The RX should contain no more than 15% of borrowed material, including quotations, and all borrowed material must be cited. No one wants to deal with a plagiarized paper. If you have any questions regarding plagiarism, ask.

A caution: it is far too easy to copy and paste or make use of a ghost writer. And it is something being done far too often, especially when a paper is late. Do us, you and me, a favor. If work on is running late or is beyond deadline, take a poor grade, or no grade rather than submit something copied/written in whole or in part by someone else. Plagiarizing is serious and if charged and proven, not only results in a failed grade or removal from class but is marked on your transcript.

Please note the following:

As mentioned above, papers without the honor code will not be accepted.

So too papers without in-text citations, a matching work cited listing (bibliography). Paper submitted without these will not be accepted.

Papers rejected for these or other reasons will be penalized a full grade. Please note that an A paper would become a B, a C paper, a D.

It is understood that problems may arise. If problems due occur, you must contact me with an explanation and some form of documentation as to the reason the assignment could not be completed on time. If the reason is sufficient, we will discuss any options.

Should there be any questions, do email me. A poor grade, or no grade, will affect the grading.

Please note that this instruction sheet cannot cover every possible concern. It is subject to revision.