Writing Tips Paper Format James Hayes-Bohanan, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Geography

I have two reasons for requesting that students submit papers in a consistent format. First, it enables me to correct and return papers more efficiently. Second, some of my formatting requirements are standard practice in academia and business.

If you are in a web-based (80/20) section, see special file-naming instructions below.

• Typing: All papers are to be typed, unless otherwise specified. I can barely read my own hand-writing, never mind that of 100 different students each semester.
• Name, rank, and serial number: Please indicate your name, the professor's name (Dr. James Hayes-Bohanan), your course number (including section if needed), and the date at the top-right of the first page of your paper. This information should be single-spaced and right-justified. Please do not include your student ID (Social Security) number. In my introductory classes, you should also indicate the assignment number (by textbook chapter).
• Name on back: Please hand-write your name and course number (including section) at the right-top of the page on the back of the last page of your paper. This allows me to fold all papers in half and return them while protecting the privacy of grades.
• Double spacing: The body of the paper must be double-spaced; otherwise, it is difficult for me to write suggestions.
• Single spacing: Extended quotes (over four lines) should be indented and single-spaced. Bibliographies and identifying information at the top of the paper should also be single-spaced.
• Title: All papers should have titles, indicated just below the name, date, and so forth.
• Headings: If the paper is more than a few pages long, it should have headings indicating the major sections. These may be in bold type. (See my organization page.)
• Margins: Margins should be about 1 inch at top, bottom, and sides. If shrinking the margins slightly saves a page of print, that is fine. (Incidentally, the Print Preview command in word processors allows users to see exactly what the paper will look like prior to printing, indicating such things as stranded single lines on a page.)
• Page numbers: If the paper is more than one page long, page numbers must be indicated, beginning with the second page.
• Citations: All outside sources (especially of direct quotes) must be indicated clearly. Failure to do so may constitute academic dishonesty, resulting in sanctions ranging from a failing grade for the assignment to possible removal from the college. Citation format should be consistent. I prefer parenthetical citations, but footnotes or endnotes are also acceptable. The citation should clearly indicate authorship and provide the reader with a clear indication of how to find the source. The list of cited sources does not need to be on a separate page, if it will fit on the last page of the work itself.
• URLs: URLs are Uniform (or Universal) Resource Locators, otherwise known as web addresses. If you obtain information from the web, include the URL, but also include the author, title, date, and sponsoring organization. For example, this page has the title "Writing: Paper Format" which is visible in the blue bar at the top of your screen. Some of the information might be difficult to find; if so, consider using a more mainstream source.
• Paper: The paper should be standard size, stapled in the upper-left corner. Staplers are available in campus offices and some computer labs. If you write a lot of papers, I recommend buying a small stapler to keep in your book bag. Cover pages are not required. Plastic covers, binders, and folders are strongly discouraged. They make handling a stack of papers much more difficult.