ENG

Over the next ten weeks you will be asked to research, develop, and write an 10-15 page paper on a topic of your choice that addresses the course theme of the family. Your paper should take an analytical approach to its subject rather than taking sides on an argument or merely reporting on your research. Naturally, your research will include a number of sources from the library, but it may also incorporate material gained through personal interviews. While you are welcome to include your personal experiences in the paper, you should recognize that such material carries significant weight only when backed up or explained through the use of other sources. Too much personal information can lead the reader to feel that they are reading a subjective essay rather than a well-researched, informed investigation into a topic. Charts, graphs, and pictures are also acceptable. However, they will not be used for the page count.

As in any form of academic writing, you will need to document your sources, both in text and in a bibliography at the end of the paper. You may use APA or MLA forms of documentation. For this length of paper, I would advise in-text citation rather than footnotes, but we can discuss the merits of both as your individual projects develop.

Papers should be typed in 12-point font with reasonable margins (no more than 1.25 inches). For this length of paper, you will need a separate title page (and, of course, a title for the project).