ESSAY

Rev.2020 (Cottle)

ACADEMIC STANDARDS FOR PHI 300 ESSAYS (Rebecca Cottle, Instructor)

CONTENT:

1. Read the complete instructions for each essay. 2. Read the rubric, which gives specific criteria for grading. 3. Write a minimum of three separate paragraphs:

a. Introduction with thesis statement b. Development (one or two paragraphs) in which you present your argument based on

evidence c. Conclusion (restatement/enforcement of thesis)

4. Good critical thinking and analysis – not just personal opinion – should inform your conclusions. (Back up your statements with evidence, using applicable ethical theories.)

5. Observe the minimum/maximum word count. The limitations are meant to help refine writing and thinking skills such as staying on topic; avoiding repetition and wordiness; stating ideas clearly and succinctly.

6. Use the terminology you are learning from the textbook (wherever applicable). 7. Proofread – more than once. 8. Always use spelling/grammar checking tools.

FORMATTING:

1. Essays must be formatted in standard APA* manuscript format:

• 12 pt. Times New Roman font

• One-inch margins on all four sides (You will need to change the default WORD margins on your computer because the default in Word is 1.25 margins.)

• Double-space throughout, with NO extra spaces anywhere in the paper. (Again, you will need to change the Word default so that extra spaces are not automatically added between paragraphs. That is business style – not academic style.)

2. Do submit a title page and a reference page. 3. Do use in-text citations where needed. 4. Do not submit an abstract.** 5. Do not use sub-headings.**

* The best way to ensure correct formatting is to use an APA template. Links for the template and other APA resources are in the "Resources" module.

**Neither abstracts, nor sub-headings, are appropriate for a one-page essay.

REMEMBER: FOR THE BEST GRADE…

• Follow instructions carefully and write with the rubric in mind.

• Back up your opinions with critical thinking and ethical theory.

• Make use of the applicable terminology wherever possible.

• Use spell-check.

• Proofread, proofread, proofread!