Guidelines for Writing: Revised 7/7/98

	This itemization may seem trivial to some students, but my
objective is clarity of expectations in quality of written presentations.
My experience in student writing quality has ranged from exceptionally
high to incomprehensibly low.  Students submitting the latter, which I define 
as a numeric grade of below 70, are not likely to pass this course.
	I don't require any particular thesis guide.  I do require
consistency.  If you're looking for a thesis guide to use, I recommend
Kate Turabian's, because it's short, simple, and inexpensive.  The library
may have copies too.

Spelling
	Do not fail to use spell checking software.  I realize that with paper
modifications sometimes gaps occur in the spell checking, and one or two
words can slip by.  But pervasive errors will receive a failing grade.

Grammar
	I expect proper grammar, and unless the linguistic use is an
obvious exception, I expect complete sentences with proper structure and
grouped in a logical flow in paragraphs.  Asking peers to read the paper
for clarity and flow before turning it in is the best advice I can give.

Presentation Format
	You should think of the assignment as given by the CEO of you
company and treat the presentation just as seriously.  A cover page with
the topic, your name, how to contact you, date, and a one paragraph 
abstract should introduce the topic.  Abstracts may not be suitable for  
short papers on projects derived from the supplemental text. This is your
discretion.
	Keep in mind the options for presenting information--written in
paragraph form, inserted tables, or inserted (or otherwise included)
graphs.  Visual materials are particularly useful if you are making an
in-class presentation.  Don't include a lot of material you don't or can't
explain.  This adds no value.
	The length of the paper often dictates the presentation
convention, but use headings and subheadings as guides to keep the
reader oriented.  Remember, one of the main rules of writing is
informative but easy reading.  You'd be surprised how many papers I get
without numbered pages, full page paragraphs, and no headings.  For short
papers I don't consider a table of contents necessary.

Citations
	Direct quotes should be used sparingly, but always identified in
quotation marks.  Citations of the assigned text and other readings for
this course should never exceed one or two.  I want to know what new
materials you are introducing.  I expect an effort reflecting a search of
reputable journals, texts, and online materials as appropriate.  If you
are citing electronic materials, the rule is consistency in the format,
and your citation should be complete enough for me to access the document.
Incomplete citations may not receive credit.  If you retrieve a
traditional journal document from the library's online service, give the
traditional citation and reference the electronic retrieval source. 
I think a reference system which puts all citations at the end of
the text is the the best method of citing.

Content
	My view of papers is for you to extend your intellectual inquiry
into an area of interest not covered in class and to communicate your
findings in a professional manner.  In this sense you are not simply
pulling information together and regurgitating it.  I evaluate paper
quality in part on your ability to pull different components of
information together and to add your own conclusions or recommendations
in a way that would arouse further inquiry by the reader.  In this context, I 
think of what you have done as a work assignment.  As your employer, would
I pay you for the work you did?  Did you add value to the decision making 
process?