Paper

_____ My paper is at least four pages long. The font is 12 point and the margins are normal.

_____ I have used my own words except for brief quotations in quotation marks.

_____ My paper has a specific title that reflects the paper contents and is centered above the first paragraph.

_____ I have given a brief background to my topic.

_____ My paper has a thesis statement that states the main point of the essay and briefly introduces my main points.

_____ My essay has an introduction, three or more paragraphs in the body, and a conclusion that summarizes my main points and restates the thesis.

_____ Each of my main points (usually each a paragraph) is introduced with a topic sentence and supported by facts and examples.

_____ I have checked my capitalization and punctuation.

_____ I have used transitional devices (words or phrases linking sentences, paragraphs and ideas). See the attached list.

_____ My verbs are all in the correct tense. A past tense verb describes each event in the past. Singulars and plurals agree (e.g., "people are", "history is", "discrimination is", "civil rights are", etc.) The present perfect verb form (have/had + ... ed) is often used to describe events that began in the past are are continuing to the present.

_____ Most shorter sentences are combined using coordinating and subordinating conjunctions.

Coordinating: for, and, nor, but, so, yet, so
Subordinating: (examples) because, since, in order that, even though, although, whereas, while, if, unless, etc.

_____ Information from any source is followed by the author's last name and the page number . (A source is a book, a web page, a lecture or speech, etc.) Every source cited in the paper is listed in alphabetical order by author's last name on a page titled Works Cited at the end of paper.

_____ My paper is typed and spell checked and each paragraph is indented.

_____ My first and last name, the course name, Professor Chamber's name, and the date are on the top of the paper. The pages are numbered.

_____ I have carefully proofread my paragraph or essay. (To "proofread" a piece of writing means to check it very carefully after you are done, often by reading it aloud and then listening as someone else reads it aloud to you.)

___ Before I begin my presentation, I will teach the class all the words in my presentation that they might not know. I will write them on the board or prepare a visual aid.

___ I have at least one or two clear, simple, neat visual aids to help my classmates understand my main points.

___ I have looked up and practiced the pronunciation of all words in my presentation and have checked with Professor Seibert, Professor Chamber's, or another proficient speaker of English if I am not sure.

___ I will use my own words.

___ I will give a brief historical background to my topic.

___ I will say my thesis statement that states the main point of the essay and briefly introduces my main points.

___ My presentation has an introduction and a conclusion that summarizes my main points and restates the thesis ("In summary, . . . ", or "To summarize, . . . ")

___ I will use transitional devices (words or phrases linking sentences, paragraphs and ideas). See the attached list.

___ My verbs will be in the correct tense. A past tense verb describes each event in the past. Singulars and plurals will agree (e.g., "people are", "history is", "discrimination is", "civil rights are", etc.)

___ I promise I will not read my presentation, but will speak as naturally as possible using only my visual aid or brief notes. I will look at the listeners, not at my feet. All my notes are one index card and my visual aids.

___ I will not say "that's all" at the end. I will ask: "Do you have any questions?"