Check-list for written assignments
NB Originally designed for the final
research paper (especially #1 and #2 below), it will help
in any assignment.
Its purpose is NOT to keep the teacher from scolding you, as the cartoon
at top. It IS intended to help you get the best marks you can.
So look over your work and see that it:
1. Does what is supposed to do, that is, fulfill the basic requirement,
such as:
a. answer a
question (ie. address the specific topic)
b. go beyond your seminar
or ‘oral,’ either in a wider context, or in a more detailed way.
c. interpret your initial findings according to
authorities ?
2. Does it respect the required length? (Around 7 pages, double-spaced; cover and Works Cited not included.)
Exceptions: The Name Assignment, Research Proposal and Ethics paper have special requirements and a different length.
3. Does it respect the required appearance? Is it typed in black, simple (Times New Roman,) regular-size (12) font, full double-spaced, on one side of plain white paper?
4. Is every fact accounted for by a (Kirk 123) citation that forms part of a sentence?
5. Did you avoid pretentious tables-of-contents, subheadings such as
"Introduction", unnecessary blank spaces?
(No outlines here, please; it will be apparent from the clear organization
that results from using the card-pile method that there is a plan.)
6. Is it succinct: in clear, un-repetitive language in a formal style
(no “I” or “you” or other personal references, and no editorializations)
which avoids "television-commercial" language, and phrases like, Furthermore
and In conclusion?
READ IT ALOUD before considering handing it in.
7. Is your Works Cited page integrated into one, single,
alphabetized list using correct MLA format?
* Have you looked in as many authoritative sources as
possible? Did you do a periodical search?
8. Is your work unwrapped and stapled at the top left corner?
9. Do you have a copy of your work, just in case ...?
10. If you think there will be a problem about deadlines or books, do
you know the teacher's policy?
Teachers can have different policies.
11. If you have lost marks before for errors in English, did you ask a friend to go over your text for spelling, capitalization, and punctuation; trouble with its/it's or would be instead of is; if he would have instead of if he had had problems?
12. Just before handing in your work, did you go over it again with a plain graphite pencil?
All written assignment should be given to the teacher in person; that is what to hand in means.
Fall 2003: Final assignments, ie. Research Papers for
Humanities, and Ethics (case- plus-arguments) must be
submitted in
person before, or in the first half hour, of any scheduled class.
There are no extensions. We do not accept assignments via email.
There are penalties for troubling anyone with your paper, for
putting papers under a door or in the unlocked box which is used only for
students to PICK UP things. Very sad stories: khandro@videotron.ca
Happy Holidays. Enjoy
your break to the fullest, and remember that is your responsibility to
care for yourself.