Respect Writer (final paper 305)

Assessment paper – additional information from the instructor

I usually get a number of questions regarding the assessment paper that is due in module/week 7. I am happy to answer any questions you have, but everyone might benefit from this additional information. There is no sample paper for you to see, but I will try to describe what you should have.

Some students ask if you should fill in the template and then write a paper. I suggest you start by using the template as an outline. Save the template as your paper and begin filling in the information you have under each section. Use the template sections as the headings for your paper. Then you could go back and begin to discuss each section, using the information you have gathered from the class material. Add any additional information from your class material to help with this assessment.

Document your sources in the paper. You should be using APA format to document your sources. You are welcome to include sources other than the class material, but it is not necessary. You should have enough from what we have learned in the course modules to write this paper.

The case studies are not very long, so, while you should not “make stuff up,” you certainly may need to speculate, based on the information given, about deeper issues. As long as what you are speculating seems to correspond to the information given, you will be staying on track. You may want to mention additional information that would be good to know; questions you might ask the subject if her or she were present.

Remember that the paper should be 6-8 pages long. It should be double-spaced, with 1 inch margins all around and written in 12 point Times New Roman or similar font. The 6-8 pages do not include your title page, reference page, or abstract (if you have one). You should have 6-8 pages in THE BODY OF YOUR PAPER. Having less than 6 full pages will cost you points.

A word of advice—Make sure you check your spelling, grammar, and punctuation. All of these things are part of your grade. Some students have written good material, but because they misspelled words, used bad grammar, or had run-on sentences, they received a lesser grade than they might have otherwise. Also, make sure you are following APA style for your paper. Not doing so will also cost you points.

Some of the most common mistakes I see students make on this type of assignment are these:

· Using non-scholarly sources such as websites and magazines (not peer review journals). For example: Wikipedia is NOT an appropriate source for a research paper. You are not required to use additional sources for this paper, but if you do, make sure they are appropriate. (Exceptions to this rule include government websites where statistics are available.)

· Failing to use APA style when writing.

· Using contractions. Contractions should never be used in formal writing.

· “Preaching” to the reader. I may agree with what you are saying, but be careful to keep the voice of the paper objective. This is not a persuasive paper; it should be based on the research and literature.

· Failing to document sources within the text of the paper. Every statement or idea, whether it is a direct quote or paraphrased, must be supported by the literature and the source of the information cited.

· Failing to use headings in the body of the paper. For this paper, you have the headings already given to you. Use them.

· Not proofreading your paper before submitting. I have graded papers with multiple spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors. These will cost you points. It is a good idea to have someone else read through it for you. If you struggle with writing skills, it would be a good idea to make use of the services of the LUO writing center. They can help you with some of these things.

I hope this helps and answers some of your questions. Please let me know if you have additional ones.