Term and Third-Year Paper Guidelines
Prof. Bill Long 9/1/06
The following is the timeline for your paper, if you chose to write one.
As I said in the syllabus, you have the opportunity to write a term paper instead of taking the final for this class. The paper should be between 20 pages in length and be reflective of a full semester of research. If your paper is a 3rd year paper, it must abide by the guidlines for these papers published in the Handbook. I expect a third-year paper to be about 25 pages in length. I tend to discourage 3rd year papers in the context of a one semester project; if you chose to do one, however, you have to devote considerable attention to it throughout the term.
The papers have different due dates. If you write a term paper, it will be due at 9:00 a.m. on the first day of finals (November 28); if your paper is a third-year paper, it will be due at 4:00 p.m. on the last day of finals (December 12). Your grade will be relative to the type of paper you turn in; i.e., the standards for 3rd year papers are more rigorous than for term papers.
In order to help you focus on the research and writing task, I give you the following guidelines. They are not hard-and-fast rules, but they are expectations. If you tend to lag on more than one, I might suggest to you that you take the written final instead.
Due Date
September 7
September 28
October 19
November 10
November 28 or December 12 |
What is Due
Title/Area of Research and One Paragraph Description of what you plan to do.
Fairly Extensive Bibliography (10-20 items, including leading cases), along with one paragraph annotations of three of your leading sources, telling why the source is important to you.
Opening page, describing what you want to accomplish and how you plan on accomplishing it, along with a detailed outline of how you plan to proceed.
A five-page section of your paper, submitted complete with footnotes and full argument.
Due Date for Paper. |
I think it would be a good idea if you made an appointment to talk with me about your paper. To that end, I will be in the office on Monday afternoon 9/11 and then most of the rest of the week of 9/11. I will put a signup sheet out for you to speak to me. The appointments should last no longer than 20 minutes. They will deal with what you give me on 9/5. I will leave the responsibility of your meeting me up to you. I don't plan to "remind" you to meet with me, and I don't require it, but I think in almost all cases you ought to do so.
I will meet with you at your request at other times, but I generally don't want to see you more than three times about your paper. Any questions are welcome.
2056a
Copyright © 2004-2007 William R. Long |