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Just to give you an example, in a paper of about 10 pages I would expect to see no more than one or two direct quotes if at all. Use direct quotes only where you need to emphasize something that is unique and requires an exact replay Of whatever it is that you are trying to say. This being said, keep yourself out of harm’s way and avoid the use of direct quotes as much as possible. 2. All ‘statements of fact’ MUST be cited in your paper. All citations noted within the body of your paper, slides, tables, charts or graphs, should also have corresponding full references in the back f your paper in the References section.
Only items that are cited in your paper should appear in the reference section. No other items should ever be in the reference section unless they were already cited in your paper. 3. Read all assignments VERY carefully. Too many times see students lose valuable points as they read their assignment one time and start writing. Most of the time when this is done, critical requirements are missed, resulting in many lost points and a greatly reduced grade. 4. If you must use direct quotes (which again, should be infrequently at best), you absolutely positively MUST eave a page number or paragraph number (if it is a non;paginated website).
This is not only an PAP regulation but one that will also help you avoid a charge of plagiarism. This is VERY serious so please take note. 5. Do not use sources that are ancient unless it is truly a section using historical background. Recently I saw a student paper where they were citing current sources and then jumped in and cited a source from 1948 . . And it was onto historical section!! This was merely an irrelevant and ancient reference that should not have been included in that paper. 6.
If a central point was noted in your requirements for the assignment, make sure that you cover that exact point, making direct reference to it, citing it, and of course including a corresponding reference in the reference section. Example if you were to compare and contrast a noted author, be sure in your paper that you specifically mention that author, their works, the date of their work, and also make reference to that citation in the Reference section of your paper. 7. If you are making a general statement with a citation, then you would not use a page number or a paragraph number.
Only direct quotes that should be used very sparingly would get page and paragraph numbers (Are you getting the idea you should avoid the use of direct quotes ). Two citations per paragraph and one direct quote per page is a rule of thumb. 8. Be very mindful of the page count and word count that have been provided in the assignment’s details. There is a reason for page and word count it is a direct clue as to the scope of the paper. Additionally if you are ever planning to publish in a journal, you will be given a very stringent page and/or word count.
If the publishers tell you the article is to be 1000 words and instead you write 1001 words, your article will be rejected am not kidding this IS true. In terms of scope, if the paper is to be 750 words clearly your coverage of that topic will be much different than if the paper required 7500 words… Page count and word count can be your friend so pay very close attention. Please do not ask the instructor if they are serious about the page and word needless to say they will say ‘yes’ so do not even ask.
Additionally count please do not ask for exceptions to the page/word count as there was an intent for this assignment and page and work out was part of that. These assignments are attempting to train you to be a precise and disciplined professional writer. 9. Be sure all papers include an introduction that gives a brief background about your topic but also includes specifically what will be covered in the paper. The word ‘introduction’ should be omitted as a section header. 10. Be sure your paper has a substantive conclusion that summarizes what was included in the paper.