861 1.5+5p

You MUST include a Bibliography or Works Cited and parenthetical citations in the text or footnotes where appropriate. No paper will be accepted without these.

You may use Chicago or MLA format for research papers. Be consistent with whatever format you choose.

Mechanics:

· Typed, paper copy

· 5-6-pages in length

· 12pt type

· Double-spaced

· 1-inch margins

· Spell check is a MUST.

· Bibliography or Works Cited is a MUST (see below for details).

Introduction:

Begin your essay with a clear and concise overview of your topic. Is there an issue or problem you are concerned with? Or are you examining a specific theme, building, or work of art in Maya studies? State it plainly. Briefly introduce the major research on the problem, sites, or works of art that has been done, specifically including the works of other authors. How or what will your research contribute to our understanding of Maya art, archaeology, and culture? This should be a brief, very specific paragraph, not an overview of Maya civilization. Beware of using “filler” just to get to the required page length!

Body of Paper:

From the overview presented in your Introduction, proceed to the specifics that will argue your point or provide evidence to investigate your theme. Select the examples carefully, whether they are sides of an argument, or works of art. In coherent, flowing sentences, describe them fully, citing the appropriate authors whose work you have researched. (See note on plagiarism below). Most importantly, bring your own creative and analytical skills to bear in describing, discussing, and analyzing your examples. Descriptive details are crucial! Dates are essential! Evaluate the evidence, weigh its relevance to Maya studies, and tell the reader why and how the examples you discuss and analyze are crucial for developing our knowledge of your topic. This is where you not only review available scholarly information, but also provide you own unique approach and voice.

Conclusion:

In one or two clear, concise, and tightly presented paragraphs, summarize your argument or presentation. Review the evidence briefly, once again citing the authors upon whose work you have relied. Tell the reader how your work has contributed to a better understanding of the problem. Finally, suggest how further research and evidence could help advance our knowledge. Leave a path for others to follow!

Plagiarism:

Whenever your work incorporates someone else’s research, images, words, or ideas, you must properly identify the source unless you can reasonably expect knowledgeable people to recognize it. Proper citation gives credit where it is due and enables your readers to locate sources and pursue lines of inquiry raised by your paper. Students who do not comply will be penalized. For further information, see the Mass Art Student Handbook or consult with the Academic Resource Center.

Research:

I require that you use at least TWO scholarly books – NO encyclopedias in book form or online - to complete this research assignment. Many such books are on reserve for the class and many more are in our stacks. FLO libraries are available to you, as is Inter-library loan.