Advice for Authors

Writing What is Plagiarism? University policy on plagiarism, also printed in the Student Handbook What are those correction symbols on your paper? Does Writing Matter After College? Good writers work at it. You can view a page of an Isaiah Berlin lecture here or here. They show he labored long to get it right, and that he drank tea. policy paper assignment, one format for writing about public policies. Here are ten examples of abstracts. A halfway humorous set of rules for writers…. William Strunk, The Elements of Style, 1918 edition

Reference Material Here is a general guide to Writing With Sources How should you cite online resources? That depends on your style of reference. Check for details here. Here is another guide to citing online resources. Are you using APA style? Many rules are discussed here and in connected pages. Here is a short guide to APA citations. Are you using MLA style? Check this. Here is a short guide to MLA citations. An extensive guide to various styles of citation is here, from the University of Michigan libraries.

Other Things General Student Advice can be found here. Looking for meaning in life? Many people have their say about it in NPR’s “This I Believe” servies. More about meaning in life: Read about Bob Moses.

Criteria for Grading Papers* · Above all, answer all parts of the question. · Established clear focus and thesis for essay · Introduction is detailed, not overly general · Other course material effectively used to situate argument · Body paragraphs focused on clear arguments / interpretive claims (have a clear purpose for each paragraph; when discussing a text avoid mere summary) · Arguments are supported and developed by evidence · Choice and discussion of evidence persuasively addressed complexity of topic or text under discussion · Actively discussed / interpreted cited evidence · Quotes, tables and figures are used economically and integrated smoothly into writer’s prose · Writing is reasonably free of mechanical errors *This is adapted from a list provided by professor Jim Albrecht, of PLU’s English Department.