Dr. Kyoo Lee, Humanities Paper Submission Guidelines

It is strongly advisable that you use the following as a check list.

When evaluating Hum papers, I shall use this document as part of grading criteria by highlighting any parts that are lacking or weak in your submitted paper.

 

[How to Write] 

First, review your class notes and discussion.

Then, study the reading materials as closely and deeply as you can; take notes along the way, while you make your way through the secondary reading material.

 

1.       [Page 1/2, Introduction] Start your essay by providing the reader with some minimal background information, correlating to the topic or focus of your essay. You are certainly welcome to use my task-specific “cues” as an implicit lead or, if necessary, to paraphrase it, but you cannot just copy it down.    

2.      [Pages 2–5/6, Main Body] While moving into the heart of your essay, based on your study so far, try and seamlessly build into your text what other quotable scholars have already said in print regarding what you have to say – this virtual dialogue is essential in academic writings.

a.       [Break Down Your Points/Thoughts] It is advisable to use pre-organised, well-organised notes before attempting to write and eventually rewrite this part.

b.       [Cement Your “Bits” and “Pieces” of Informed Thoughts] Arrange them in a logical and creative sequence: a mere jumble of notes or thoughts does not deserve academic readership or a reasonably good grade. Remember: you are not collecting notes but writing an essay.

c.       [Insert anything extra or interesting further points after you have established the main line of argument] Often during composition, a new route of thinking can emerge and, actually, should; in stead of being carried away and getting lost, take note of those as marginal asides and edit them in later, creatively and seamlessly, after you have constituted the main line.  

3.      [Page 5/6-6/7, Conclusion] Tie your thoughts and show a (syn)thesis, of which the reader is to be reminded conclusively. Elegantly, open up your thoughts to other possible challenges or further development, as well as showing you have done all you claimed you would do at the start of your essay.  

 

 

[Submission Guidelines]

1     Length and Format: 5-7 pages, double-spaced, Times New Roman 12.

1     Use of Citations and Secondary Sources:

o         Style: MLA or Chicago

§          Whichever style you adopt, be consistent; respect this formality of academic writing. It is a crucial part of your writing lesson and training.

§          Include the list of reference page at the end of the paper, in the case of MLA style, or as footnote, in the case of Chicago style – in either case, make sure you include the reference page in the paper itself. That is, no separate file, please

§          Any submission that does not contain the reference list automatically loses 1 point (out of 10). 

o         Scope: Use any references deemed relevant, but do not rely too much on external sources (e.g., copy and paste patchwork).

§          You can cite up to 2 internet web pages/sources of your choice; show the URLs.

§          Any submission that cites material from more than 2 web pages/resources is subject to penalty, depending on the level.      

1     Evaluation Criteria

o         Do be creative, but in addition to being faithful to the instructions; your originality has to be expressed within the formalized parameters of requirements.

o         You cannot get an A-level grade (point 8.7-9.9) on this assignment, however brilliant your thoughts are, or however long your essay is,

§          Without fulfilling all the criteria concerning the use of secondary sources;    

§          Without following the regulations and requirements concerning citations[1].  

·          Warning: a violation of honour code is a violation: “know your code.”    

o         Deadline: extremely firm; equivalent of one grade point reduced, per calendar day missed.



[1] Any “quotation”, in academic writing, that shows no bibliographical source is stolen words or useless fragments; one very important reason for referencing one’s sources is to allow the readers to participate in the author’s thinking. How can you invite a stranger to your house without giving them directions or your address? Treat quotations as if they were legally binding; and often, they are.