All papers must be written on a word processor, proofread, and spellchecked. Pages should be double-spaced with one-inch margins, numbered in the upper right-hand corner, and stapled in the upper left-hand corner. Your name, the course number, my name, and the date should appear at the top left of the first page, and the title should be centered on the next line. Do not include a separate title page.

If you make a general statement, you should always back it up with supporting details. When you quote from or refer to a text, please indicate the author you are citing and provide a parenthetical page reference for your citation. You do not need to include a bibliography unless you are citing a source other than the texts used in this course. Please do not drop quotations into your papers without providing context for them through the use of signal phrases. Here is an example of a quotation introduced by a signal phrase and cited with a parenthetical page reference (notice that the period falls outside the parentheses):

According to Roderick Nash in Wilderness and the American Mind, "the first immigrants approached North America with a cluster of preconceived ideas about wilderness" (8).

If you cite outside sources, please list these in a bibliography, using the citation style with which you are most familiar (MLA, APA, or Chicago). Please do not mix styles or create your own citation method.

Additional Guidance

• Essay Writing: The Essential Guide: This guide, written with a good dose of British humour, offers loads of practical suggestions for writing effective essays. (It can also be printed out in a handy Adobe Acrobat version.)
• University Writing Links: For even more help with your papers, consult this page from the Center for Writing, which provides information about facilities at the University of Minnesota that can help you with your writing.