The results of your final project should be an argumentative essay of approximately 12-15 pages (typed, double spaced). By argumentative I do not mean that you must discuss a controversial topic; your paper will be argumentative as long as it states and supports your view of the topic, rather than simply giving information on a topic.

For instance, a paper that discussed the life of George Washington, giving information about his birth, career, accomplishments and death would be a report paper rather than an argumentative paper and would not fulfill the paper requirement. However, if the paper presented information about Washington's life with the purpose of showing that he was a better general than a president, or that his presidency closely resembled a European monarchy, it would be argumentative. In these cases the research material would not comprise the paper, rather, it would support the assertions the author makes in the paper.[1]

You may choose to do a traditional research paper, which could include as sources, general interest magazines, scholarly journals, reference books, nonfiction books, newspapers, government documents, video tapes, etc. Each of these types of sources is indexed in a different way in the library, so please talk to me or a librarian if you are having trouble finding information. You should expect to use several different types of sources, not just books.

You may prefer to devise an experiment of your own to gather language data. In this case you would need to explain what kind of speakers you chose to participate in the experiment, what you intended to prove, and why you think the results did or didn't show this.

I would like a brief proposal of your topic, in writing, by Oct. 16. (This can be a couple paragraphs discussing preliminary sources, or a tentative outline--it's up to you.)

All sources in your final paper must be properly cited in the text and included in a list of references at the end. Please note, to avoid plagiarism, in academic papers you should cite the source for material that you paraphrase and summarize, as well as material that you quote directly. For this paper you may use any style sheet you are comfortable with (e.g. MLA, APA; follow the style used in the journals you are citing if you are not sure) as long as you are consistent throughout the paper.

The final draft of the paper is due on Dec. 11.

• Title the paper
• Number your pages
• Do NOT make the right margin justified
• Use one inch margins all around
• Staple your pages together
• Do not use a typeface larger than 14 point (on a Mac) or 12 cpi (on DOS)
• If you use a typewriter, do not use erasable bond paper
• Proof read your paper and make corrections in ink
• Make a copy of your paper for yourself before you turn it in (either on disk or a photocopy)
• Include a self-addressed stamped envelope so I can return your paper

• The thesis should be clearly stated and supported by the paper
• There should be an argument presented, not just a reporting of facts
• Information should be fully integrated into the author's prose (i.e., paraphrase when possible, rather than using full pages of quotes and lists)
• Sources should be identified when they are introduced and should be properly cited
• There should be an adequate range of sources
• Grammar and spelling should be checked
• Formatting and length requirements should be met

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stvan@uta.edu
Last modified: Aug. 13, 1997