How to write papers

• Introduction

• Background

• Body

• Conclusions

• References

Introduction

• Rationale

• Problem statement (What you are researching)

• Solution statement  (How you plan to discover the information)

• Make claims/position explicit  (if needed)

• Outline of paper (what's to come)   (Transitional paragraph)

• Why, when, what, who, how

• Include definitions or background .

• For FCS-2104 this would be your individual research on children with special needs.

• For FCS 4102 this will be your review of literature on your topic

• For FCS 5110 this will be your research about the framework of family theory
  

Conclusions

Based on material in the body

Did you accomplish what you said you would in introduction?

Make claims/position explicit, again

References
Use the APA format form the fourth edition.
References for citations used (Examples)

General Guide for Writing Papers
Expectations

There will be several writing assignments in FCS courses from short in-class writing exercises to a major paper(s). Each will be designed to help you improve your writing abilities and at the same time will provide a learning element which hopefully will help you assimilate the contents of the course.

Grading

Grading will be based on

• Content

• Organization

• Structure

• Style/tone

• Mechanics

1. Content: Definitions, if appropriate, must be complete and correct. The content must reflect knowledge of the subject on your part. An important factor is your ability to make your own original synthesis of information taken from other sources. You should also avoid repetition. Present each point the best way you can in one place, then don't come back and repeat the same thought somewhere else. The best way to accomplish this is to have a good outline. Without an effective outline, the temptation is to keep making the same points.
2. Organization: The order in which you present your ideas is crucial to good communication. Your paper should always contain an introduction in which you set the stage, saying what the paper will be about. This could be a restatement of the assignment in your own words. The introduction is to be a guide to the overall structure the paper will take. Each paper should also have a conclusion (more than one sentence) and a list of references at the end. 
3. Structure: Each section and paragraph, as well as the whole paper, should start with a topic/thesis sentence, followed by development of that point (only). The title is the topic "sentence" for the whole paper. Make each point well just once. Within each sentence there should be just one cohesive thought or idea. Within a paragraph, the development of each topic sentence must include some ideas, evidence, and/or opinions to support the topic sentence. So, in the case of the paper itself, everything in it must support the requirement stated in the assignment. In the case of a paragraph, each sentence must serve to support the first sentence of that paragraph. This support can come from your own ideas, the text book, or other outside sources. When you use sources other than your own ideas, you must cite them (this is itself a big issue in ethics and professionalism) and give the reference at the end of the paper, including the relevant page numbers.
   
4. Style and tone: Because of our stress on professionalism in this course, we require a formal writing style not a chatty one. You should avoid clichés like the plague, and you should not use contractions, casual language, or trite expressions. Avoid fluff, shooting the bull, and repetition. We want crisp, clean communication. Style also includes the clarity with which you express your ideas.
5. Mechanics: You will be graded on the details of your writing mechanics, a large factor in writing quality. We are looking for correct spelling and the absence of typographical errors. We are also looking for correct grammar (e.g., matching number and tense between subject and verb), correct punctuation, proper sentence structure, accurate and precise word usage, good phrasing, smooth transitions between paragraphs, and parallel construction. Avoid run-on sentences and paragraphs. Quotation marks and ellipses (. . .) must be used correctly for text taken from a reference. Do not overuse quotations. If a large percentage of your paper is quoted text, it will be regarded as an attempt to "pad" its length. We want to see your writing.

Beyond using these criteria as a guide, there are three additional steps that you can take:

1. Carefully proof read your work and have someone else read it for you. Additionally, read your report out loud as if giving a lecture; verbalization in this manner will help you recognize your errors.
2. Since major papers will be given to you well in advance of the due date, write your report, put it aside for a few days and then read it again; you will be surprised how different it will look a second time around!
3. The University Writing Center is available for your use; they can provide you with both assistance in preparing a draft document, and can give you pointers to improve your presentation.

All references are to be in paragraph form not dropped paragraph

1. Journal article, one author

2. Journal article, two authors, journal paginated by issue

4.Book, third edition, Jr. in name

       Mitchell, T. R., & Larson, J. R., Jr.(1987). People in organizations:Anintroduction to organizational behavior (3^rd ed.).New York: McGraw-Hill.

       Author, I.(date).Title of article. Name of Periodical [On-line]. Available: Specify path (web page addresss).