gender bias in legal system

Research Paper Guidelines

The final research paper must include the following items. Use the proper MLA style for layout. This can be found in your writing handbook (Easy Writer). Any significant variations of this information will result in a lowered grade for the overall paper. Don’t forget the Works Cited page, or the paper will fail.

Please make sure you have done the following (These are in no particular order.).

Make sure to follow the Classical Argument format. See the handouts in class.

Make sure to use 10- or 12-point font (NO other sizes).

Make sure to use 1” margins on all sides.

Make sure to use type style font. No Courier font.

Make sure to put your last name and page number on every page of the paper.

Make sure Works Cited page is in alphabetical order, numbers are

NOT given at the beginning of each entry, and entries are double spaced (within

and between entries – no single spacing at all).

Make sure the body of the paper is at least 5-7 full pages.

Make sure that all quotes, summaries and paraphrases are documented.

Make sure that all quotes, summaries and paraphrases are integrated or woven into your

syntax. Think source sandwiches!

Make sure that all sources used are on Works Cited page and all bibliographic

information is given on that page in MLA format.

Make sure all documentation is correct.

Make sure your paper’s body uses CLASSICAL ARGUMENT format.

Make sure you have avoided all first and second person pronouns – using third person

variations instead. This means NO use of “you” or its variations.

Make sure you have used and documented 7 sources (no more than one of the

seven should be internet based {i.e. a website}. Articles from the databases do not count as websites. You may use additional internet sites above the seven sources). NO GENERAL ENCYCLOPEDIA ARTICLES WILL BE COUNTED AS SOURCES (This includes Wikipedia.). If you used all websites, this will mean a grade reduction on the final draft. You should rely primarily on academic/scholarly journal articles, and academic journal articles or books are the only kinds of source you may use exclusively.

REMINDER: If you have not completed the four preliminary Research Assignments (25 Source Bib, 5 Source Annotated Bib, 7 Research Organizers, and Sentence Outline), I may not read your rough draft. I must read your rough draft before you can put the final draft in the portfolio. If you don’t make the recommended changes to your final draft after I have graded a rough draft, your final will receive the grade it deserves. I will spend quite a bit of time reading and commenting on your drafts, but I will not make many comments in your final paper or the portfolio. I will be doing a much quicker reading of the final drafts than the rough drafts because grades are due so soon after the final is due. If you do not understand a comment on the graded rough draft, please ask me to explain it!

You may turn any/all of these assignments in early. If you do this, please let me know via email that you have done so and wait to submit your final draft until I have read and returned your rough draft.

Grading Notes: Below you will find a list of reasons for grade deductions on the final draft.

Less than 4 full pages: One letter grade deduction.
Less than 4 full pages: One half letter grade deduction.
Fewer than 3 sources: One full letter grade deduction.
Between 4 and 6 sources: One half letter grade deduction.
Faulty MLA documentation in text of paper: Up to one full letter grade deduction.
Faulty MLA bibliographic format on Works Cited page: Up to one full letter grade deduction.
Extensive lack of documentation: failure of paper.
Documentation attempted but not adequate: Up to two letter grade deductions.
Lack of organization: Up to one full letter grade deduction.
Failure to integrate and block quotes, paraphrases and summaries as needed – remember ONLY quotes are blocked and only block them if they are over four lines when typed: One letter grade deduction.

The Draft MUST have the following:

Have at least five full pages – complete text.
Have at least 7 sources cited in the body of the paper.
Have those same sources on a Works Cited page.
Attempt at documentation.
Classical Argument Form – see handouts.
The qualities listed above (on page 1 and in the list of deductions above).