Mary Q. Student

English 798:01

                                                February 30, 2020

Format for Professional Looking Papers

1.      Write on one side of a page only.  Use ink, or if allowed, dark lead pencil.

2.      Use 8 1/2 by 11-inch paper, a plain pad or 3 hole punched.  Do not hand in homework on ragged edged paper torn out of a notebook.  (If you are asked to write in-class, teachers will understand receiving paper torn from a notebook.)

3.      Double-space all typed homework. Do this using correct computer commands, NOT by hitting Enter.  Use 12 point type;  do not use extra fancy type.  Easy to read is best.

4.   Always leave margins of about 1 inch on both left and right--especially when you are writing.  (Computers automatically leave 1.25 or 1.5 inch margins left and right.  )

5.   Begin every paragraph by indenting 5 spaces.  You can do this the easy way by pushing the TAB button one time.  If you are writing, indent one inch (2.5cm.)  Leave no extra spaces, except at the end of a paragraph.  Do not make every sentence a new paragraph. 6.         After a comma or semicolon, put 1 space; however, note that there is no space in front of a comma or semicolon.

7.      After a period, question mark, or exclamation point put 2 spaces.  Do not put a space in front of a period.

8.   Only push the ENTER or RETURN button at the end of paragraph when you are using a computer. Only push it once.  Do not put extra empty lines between paragraphs.  Do not number your paragraphs.  Do not give paragraphs titles.

9.      Do not divide and hyphenate words at the end of lines, except for extremely long words.  Learn the rules of word breaking for the times you do have to do this, such as writing on a test.  Try to never break words.  Your computer will automatically take care of moving to a new line.           

      If you are writing, you can write a little into the margin.  If you use a typewriter, you can add a     few letters to a word by using MARGIN RELEASE.  If a word will go far beyond the margin,       move the whole word to the next line unless it is a very long word and will leave a strange looking empty space. This is one reason you leave margins—to be able to a few extra letters.

10.  Use spell check, but do not trust it.  Sometimes it will suggest words that are spelled correctly but are wrong for your paper.  Proofread separately for errors that you often make, such as verb tense, -s on present verbs, punctuation, or capitalization.

11.  Put (a) your first and last name, (b) the date, and (c) the course name and section number in the upper right hand corner.  Put your family name last.  Try to give the paper a label or title that shows which assignment it is. For an essay this may be a title, or it may be something like: “Question 3, page 172.”

Note: Do not suddenly change the name you use in the middle of the semester.  If the college computer has you recorded incorrectly, or you wish to be called by a special name, speak to your teacher early in the semester.

     Turning in professional looking, neat papers has important psychological effects on teachers.  It shows you care, and it says that you are "well educated."  Teachers are likely to think your ideas are better and are more likely to trust your facts and judgments if they begin reading a paper with a good impression of the writer.