Geology 107
 
 

Paper guidelines:

Margins: 0.75-1.0 inches on all sides.

Spacing: single to 1.5 spacing is acceptable. Double spaced reports will need to meet longer page requirements.

Font size: 10 to 12 point font for the body of the text.

Paper length: 4 to 5 typed pages for the body of the text (does not include references cited, cover page or figures), NOT to exceed 6 pages, please.

A cover page is not necessary, but you must list your references on a separate page at the end of your paper (References Cited). Follow the guidelines below for proper citation of references.

You are required to use at least three different references for your written report ­ articles from the internet must have been published in a magazine or journal.

Write your paper in a way that another Geology 107 classmate will be able to understand the material.
 
 

Comments on writing and editing special assignment reports for Geology 107.

1. Take thorough notes as you read. Be sure to keep track of what ideas and information you paraphrase and what items you copy directly (direct quotation).
2. When you are finished with your literature search and have completed your notes, begin to organize your note topics in the form of an outline.
3. Outline ­ list the topic(s) that will be covered in each paragraph. Organize your material into topics, sub topics, and detailed information in a logical order - do not jump around without any transitions.
4. Rough Draft
5. Beginning = general information on the topic (location, history, etc.). This is good place to define any terms you will use in the remainder of the report. Your first paragraph should set the stage for the paper ­ what is your topic (or what is the scope of your paper), how will you cover it, and what are some individual components of this larger topic?

   
   Body - Each new paragraph or section should focus on a different sub-topic (i.e. volcanism, erosion, mountain building).

   Last paragraph ­ tie together what you have covered in the body of the paper, but do not just summarize verbatim what you have already said. At the same time, do not offer some surprise information. Put a fresh spin on your topic and how the past and present may contribute to the future.

   Keep track of sentences and phrases that require proper citation (see part 7). Try to write most of the paper in your own words (with citations) and minimize the use of direct quotations.

6. When you have completed your rough draft, begin to edit your paper - phrase by phrase, paragraph by paragraph. Does each statement make sense? Is your grammar correct? Punctuation? Spelling? Word usage? Are some sentences redundant or run-ons? Can you combine numerous short, choppy sentences into smooth complete sentences? Can paragraphs be split apart so as to remain focussed? Can other short paragraphs be joined?
7. If you need to reorganize, make sure to re-edit your paragraphs. Paragraph headings are not encouraged in a paper of this size. Continue to edit your paper until you have made it smooth, concise, and free of errors.
8. This paper must be in your own words and, in order to avoid plagiarism, you must correctly cite information and phrasing that represents the work of other people. Plagiarism is any use of another writerís words, concepts, or ideas without acknowledging that writer using proper documentation. Plagiarism is an academic crime and will result in grade penalization for the written assignment portion of this course.

That said, you should not have to cite every sentence in your paper. Common knowledge material (e.g., there are 12 inches in a foot, the Grand Canyon is in Arizona, magma is liquid rock) does not require a citation. A general guideline is to ask yourself whether a fellow classmate would be familiar with the ideas or information in your statement. Simply changing around the words or word order does NOT avoid plagiarism ­ this is called paraphrasing and still constitutes plagiarism if not properly cited. All phrases that correspond word for word (in general, five or more words) with an original source must be placed between quotation marks AND receive correct citation. Look through several journals in the Geology Library to get a feeling the correct way to write a scientific paper with proper citation or references. DO NOT just cite a reference at the end of a paragraph and infer that all information within the paragraph is correctly cited. For each sentence, or group of a couple sentences, you will need to cite the reference properly. The bulk of your written text should be in your own words and only certain facts should require reference citations.

EXAMPLES of how to correctly document your sources within the body of your text:

a) place the authorsí names and the publication year of the document in parentheses at the end of the sentence:

The focus of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake was located 5 kilometers below the surface (Randolf and Scott, 1934).

b) incorporate the authorsí names into your sentence and place the publication year in parentheses after their names:

Randolf and Scott (1934) determined that the focus of the 1906 earthquake was located 5 kilometers below the surface.

c) make limited use of direct quotations and include the page number:

As Randolf and Scott stated in their book The Big One, "The epicenter of the earthquake was located at the intersection of Haight and Ashbury" (p. 255).

d) if there are more than two authors, you may refer to the first author and call the other authors and others: (Randolf and others, 1934) or (Randolf et al., 1934)

On the final page of your paper, individually cite each different reference. Use the same format as is used in your textbook ­ be sure to include the names of all of the authors, the publication year, title, journal or publisher name, and page number(s).