Grammar and Spelling

• Check the usage of "its" and "it's". "It's" is the contraction of "it is." "Its" is possessive.
• Check the usage of "their," "there," and "they're."
• Check the usage of "affect" versus "effect."
• Check the usage of "sight" versus "site" versus "cite." (Example: You cite a reference on a web site.)
• Spell check! Failure to spell check will cost you 1 whole letter grade.
• Use short, action sentences. Look for unnecessary words to delete. Look for run-on sentences that should be divided into two or more sentences.
• Proofread. Proofread. Proofread. Get help from the GMU Writing Center

References

• Use recent source material.
• Use a variety of source material (books, articles and web pages).
• Avoid relying on one author. Use primary sources when possible.
• Do not paraphrase. Use your own words. Any time you quote another author, clearly indicate that it is a quotation by using quotation marks or indenting and single spacing (quotes greater than 3 lines long). Failure to do so will be considered plagiarism.
• Footnote any information that is not general knowledge. Add a bibliography. You may use any standard format for citations, just be sure that it is clear how to find the sources you used.
• ALL WEB SOURCES must be annotated. Add a sentence or two describing why you felt that this was a valid source to include in your paper. For help citing sites, see the MLA web pages:
  http://www.mla.org/main_stl.htm

Content

The "A" paper combines research with your own, well defended opinions. You can avoid the use of the first person by using constructions such as: "In the view of this author, ...." or "This writer believes that ...."
There is no such thing as a "wrong" opinion. You will not be graded on your beliefs. However, points may be deducted for opinions that are not supported by facts and cogent arguments.