Major Writing Assignment (1500-1800 words)
The essay for this course is due in class on March 17th. This assignment will constitute 30% of your final grade. The aim of this paper is to present an argument concerning a particular event or process by drawing on the related course and academic material. Further details on the assignment, including a list of appropriate essay topics, will be provided in class.
When preparing your paper, be careful to follow the essay guidelines provided below. Late papers submitted without proper supporting documentation will be penalized 5% a day (including weekends). A note on writing: It is important to understand that good university writing requires time, and trial and error experimentation. For most students, writing takes practice and dedication – it is a skill that develops gradually through continual exercise. As a result, it is important to take seriously the comments that you receive on your papers and to bear in mind that this feedback is meant to support the development and enhancement of your writing skills and techniques. Criteria for grading: 1. Argument 20% The originality and the power of the analysis you present; the extent that a theory or information from the literature is tested or some interesting hypothesis of your own is proven; the coherence of the logic with which you develop your case; the clarity and directness of your thesis. Students’ most common problem comes from not finding a clear question to address and so not developing an effective thesis.
2. Information 20% The mastery of the factual material that you present from your research in the literature, its relevance to your argument, its effectiveness in making your case, its accuracy and completeness. Students’ most common problem comes from not knowing what material to consult and so not marshalling information that is relevant to demonstrating the thesis.
3. Structure 20% The coherence of your paper’s organization and its utility in helping develop your argument. Students’ most common problem comes from not developing an organization of this material that serves the argument’s development.
4. Writing and Editing 25% The clarity with which you express your ideas and communicate your thinking, correct usage of English syntax and language, narrative continuity. Editing includes the care with which you present the essay (ie, correct spelling and punctuation). Students’ most common problem comes from not writing a first draft early enough so that unclear points can be clarified, the introduction and conclusion reformulated, the argument perfected, and the text carefully edited for annoying typographical errors.
5. Citation and Formatting 15% The precision of your formatting (see formatting and style guide for written work below); the accuracy and completeness of your Reference list (APA Citation Style); the accuracy, completeness and proper application of embedded citations. Students’ most common problem comes from not strictly following the citation and style guidelines listed in this outline and discussed in class. You are strongly advised to keep an electronic and hard copy of your essay. They should be kept until the marked assignment has been returned.
Formatting and style guide for written work Text: Times Roman 12 point, justified, double spaced Paragraphs: either indent or have one extra line space between paragraphs. Header or footer in Times Roman 10 point: left: your FIRST and last name such as BETTY Jones; centre: brief subject in italics such as AIDS in Africa right: page number APA reference style:
If the author’s name occurs naturally in the sentence, the year of publication is given in parentheses following the authors name: – In a popular study Harvey (1992) argued… If the name does not occur naturally in the sentence, both name and year are given in parentheses at the end of the sentence before the period: – Theory develops out of practice, and once validated, returns to direct or explain the practice (Stevens 1998). If you are directly quoting a source you must include a page reference in the parentheses at the end of the sentence. If the source is mentioned in the sentence the page reference should be included with the year following the authors name as in Example 1:
– Example 1: According to Davis (2004, 26) globalization has “produced both economic winners and losers”. – Example 2: Globalization has “produced both economic winners and losers” (Davis 2004, 26)
List references to all documents cited in the text, under the heading References. They are listed in alphabetical order of authors’ names. – Book: Cutler, T., Williams, K. and Williams, J. (1986), Keynes, Beveridge and beyond, London: Routledge. – Journal Article: David, Jones (2004), ‘A New Approach to Political Theory’, Journal of Political Studies, v4, n2, 161-194 (page range of the article in the journal)
Spacing at beginning of new subsection: two line spaces before a new section head; none between section head and first paragraph; students are encouraged to use subtitles All numbers under 10 are spelled out. Those larger than nine are not spelled out unless they come at the beginning of a sentence. Italicize words in other languages that are not commonly used in English such as maquiladoras but not in the case of titles or organizations Oxford Canadian spelling: program not programme, sceptical not skeptical, labour not labor, defence not defense, cigarette not cigaret, practise as a verb, practice as a noun, globalization not globalisation. Bilateral, binational, transborder, and neoconservative; not bi-lateral, bi-national, transborder, or neo- conservative Include a full title page with the title of the assignment, your name, the course number and name, the name of the professor, the name of the tutorial leader, and the