- Academic Peer reviewed sources only- no .org or .com (only .gov .edu. .mil if on internet website) the source must be cited in the text of the document as well as on the reference page in APA format. No sources on the reference page that have not been cited in your paper
- How many sources are cited and where: There should be at least one source supporting every topic sentence in every paragraph.
- Word count- 2400 words minimum *minimums should be exceeded *anything less than the word count is an incomplete assignment receiving little credit if any (does not include references, citations, subtitles, graphics or tables…only written information
- Structure: 12 font Times New Roman Spacing: All double-spaced SEE APA student paper for format
- Reference page and in-text citations must be in proper APA format (both citations and academic references must be the same in the document and on the reference page: in other words, I should see all references on the reference page that are also cited in the text of the paper).
- NO bullet statements- all in essay structure.
Use at least 11 “academic” references or more (which include journals, academic worthy online academically qualified sources which is government websites ending in .gov or educational .edu not.org nor newspaper articles or any type of Wikipedia encyclopedia, etc. a reference to Wikipedia at the graduate level will provide a failing paper). References will not include your text or any other textbook in the program. This is to be outside of your text research paper assignment. - title page (See student paper APA format on Reference page on the Home page)
- No abstract or outline (do not include)
- Graduate-level writing structure and ability- a comprehensive, well-thought-out well edited, supporting thesis with topic sentences and citing refereed journal articles and government documents in each paragraph on the chosen approved topic
- All areas below must be checked off on the Checklist to meet the minimum standards of the paper. Fill out the checklist but do not submit it.
- No plagiarism, no direct quotes, no use of AI ChatGPT, or Grammarly rewriting, retone, restructure of sentence or paraphrasing AI use to avoid a zero grade cited reference in text and on the reference page and
FORMAT YOUR PAPER: See the Reference page on your home page for information on the Student paper click hereLinks to an external site. format to use in APA.
HOW TO START WRITING MY COURSE PAPER AND ORGANIZE IT WITH SOURCES:
This is a course term paper, not a research methods paper which is different. See how to set up this paper for your course term paper.
Introduction. Have a hook statement that makes the reader interested. This can be stats or an interesting point made by an expert. Follow this with a transition sentence that ties the hook statement to the thesis. Then place your thesis. So in reality you are talking about your problem or subject and then providing them with the thesis sentence your paper will support. The hook and transition statement or statements help to introduce your thesis statement and explain the objectives that have been set. The introduction paragraph should not be less than three sentences and can be three sentences as long as they are a hook, transition, and thesis. If you need a couple more sentences to transition to your thesis you can add those.
Body Paragraphs. As a rule, in writing college term papers, one must write down several Topic Sentences to divide ideas and arguments into several paragraphs (at least enough paragraphs to meet your WC). As done below, each body paragraph should contain one idea and a strong topic sentence followed by factual evidence to prove the idea or statement. Factual evidence needs to come from “academic sources.” Peer-reviewed Journals or government websites in which you have had the opportunity to begin research. *Please note copying any part of your worksheet is not to take place in your paper or it is self-plagiarizing. The worksheet is to help you gather sources not directly write part of your paper as you were answering questions for the sources used in the paper not supporting topic sentences you have written.
For example, your paragraphs will cover possibly:
- Topic Sentence: History of the argument and background.
- A) How does your issue impact society and the academic environment?
- b) Critical factors related to your research problem.
- c) Possible solutions that will be explored in your paper.
- Topic Sentence: Extent of the problem that you write about.
- A) Strong point made and supported with factual evidence
- B) counterarguments to the topic point (you can use a countering reference) and then provide factual evidence as to why the counterarguments are not true.
- Topic Sentence: Effects of the problem and possible causes.
- A) strong point made with factual evidence
- B) less strong point made with factual evidence
- Topic Sentence: Best practices noted in government to work the issue
- A) same as above paragraphs; you can use points only or address answers why counterpoints are not correct or list several points to support your topic sentence with factual evidence from your research.
- Topic Sentence: Possible solutions and outcomes.
- Same as above.
- Conclusion. The final part should represent a strong summary and a response to your thesis statement. This paragraph is shorter than the other topic-supporting paragraphs.