reference Paper

Start your paper with an introduction. The introduction should introduce the topic, why it’s important and what your paper will discuss. Citations should be used when necessary but not for every sentence. Paper format should be Times New Roman, 12 pt with 1” margins all around and double spaced. Pay attention to grammar, spelling, citations and use of pronouns (no 1st person, “I” statements in an academic paper!!). Introduction should be one paragraph with approximately 5-6 sentences.

Background Information

Use this section to present a picture of the problem by describing the organization. Only include information related to the problem. Discuss what aspects of the organization (i.e. culture, chain of command, leadership, training, etc.) that has led to the problem of practice. This section should not be very long, 2-3 paragraphs at most.

Problem of Practice

Use this section to describe in more detail what the problem is (i.e. communication, leading change, poor leadership, lack of emotional intelligence, etc.) and why it is a problem. Use sources to support why this is a true problem in the organization. For example, if your problem of practice is a lack of strong leadership, you would find sources that demonstrate how critical leadership is to an organizations success and how poor leadership can cause failure. This section should be 1-2 pages.

Warranted Actions

This is the major bulk of your paper and should be the longest section. Here you will outline the potential solutions you have for the problem of practice. You should have between 2-4 solutions, 3 is usually the norm. Open this section with a brief paragraph that quickly outlines the solutions.

Warranted Action 1: Title of Solution

Use this italic heading to separate out your actions. Under each, explain what this action is and why it can be a potential solution. Use sources to support your argument for this solution. Each Warranted Action section should be approximately 3-4 paragraphs. Remember that this is the major portion of the assignment where you are demonstrating that you understand the problem, have researched valid solutions and why they are valid.

Warranted Action 2: Title of Solution

Use this italic heading to separate out your actions. Under each, explain what this action is and why it can be a potential solution. Use sources to support your argument for this solution. Each Warranted Action section should be approximately 3-4 paragraphs. Remember that this is the major portion of the assignment where you are demonstrating that you understand the problem, have researched valid solutions and why they are valid.

Warranted Action 3: Title of Solution

Use this italic heading to separate out your actions. Under each, explain what this action is and why it can be a potential solution. Use sources to support your argument for this solution. Each Warranted Action section should be approximately 3-4 paragraphs. Remember that this is the major portion of the assignment where you are demonstrating that you understand the problem, have researched valid solutions and why they are valid.

Conclusion

Don’t forget to close your paper with a proper conclusion!! Your conclusion should restate what the problem was (1 sentence), why it is a problem (1-2 sentences) and what the potential solutions are. The purpose of a conclusion is to restate the main points from your paper. 5-6 sentences.

References

References should be from valid sources!!! Wikipedia and business dictionary are NOT acceptable! The majority, if not all, of your sources should come from Newspapers, magazines, journal articles, etc. You should be using the library’s website to find your sources and should avoid Google! Remember, just because something is on the internet, doesn’t make it true!