FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT WRITING ESSAYS

WHAT SHOULD IT LOOK LIKE?
Your research essays should be about 2500 words (about 10 pages) excluding notes, figures, and bibliography. It should be double spaced, in a 12 point font like Times Roman. You may use any recognized style for notes and bibliography. You should prepare it in standard format with 1" margins and numbered pages. Do not use a separate page for ID and title. Put your name, ID number, and the number of the course before the title at the top of the first page.

SUBMISSION FORMAT
Your paper may be submitted in either hard copy or electronic format. To submit as hard copy, bring a copy to class on or before the deadline. To submit electronically, save your paper in .PDF format. Submit your paper in the course drop-box at the course secure web site. Keep a paper copy and backup the file on your computer.

HELP! I HAVE NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE!
Get help -- online or in person -- from the OU Writing Center (http://www.ou.edu/writingcenter/ or call (405) 325-2936), which offers free, confidential writing assistance for students, staff, and faculty. The Center is located in Bizzell Library, Neustadt Wing, Lower Level 227.

I'VE DONE THIS BEFORE BUT I'D LIKE A REFRESHER:
For basic information on writing essays see:

http://www2.actden.com/writ_den/tips/essay/index.htm

A more detailed presentation is:

http://members.tripod.com/~lklivingston/essay/index.html

This site may be slow to load but is worth waiting for (also - ignore the ads)

HOW MANY SOURCES DO I NEED
How long is a piece of string? It depends on the size of the package you want to wrap...
Your bibliography should include books and articles you have found in addition to course materials.
If you have many fewer than one of each, you should probably look further. If you have more than
half a dozen, you should list only those you actually consulted.

MAY I USE WEB PAGES AS SOURCES?
Yes - but only if supported by standard sources. Cite them in your bibliography and include the date you accessed them.
TWO CAUTIONS: Never use Web pages as your sole authority: check all Web sources using standard printed sources.
And remember the Academic Integrity policy: unacknowledged cutting and pasting from Web pages is plagiarism.

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE CORRECT FORMAT FOR NOTES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY.
Two common formats are Modern Language Association style (MLA style) used in the humanities
and American Psychological Association style (APA style) used in the sciences.
A guide for writing research papers in MLA style is available at:

 http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/557/01/

a one page summary with links to many other resources is available at:

http://www.ou.edu/writingcenter/resources/mla.html

A guide for writing research papers APA style is available at:

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/

a one page summary with links to many other resources is available at:

http://www.ou.edu/writingcenter/resources/apa.html

SHOULD I KEEP A COPY OF WHAT I TURN IN?
Yes! Always!

IF I ALREADY KNOW HOW TO WRITE AN ESSAY, IS THERE ANYTHING ONLINE THAT WILL HELP ME?
Check out Writers' links for researchers and other professionals: http://www.oleng.com.au/scientific-writing-resources.htmlThe OnLine English phrase checker, a new way of using search engine technology to check any English phrase and better understand how English works in context: http://www.oleng.com.au/phrase-checker.html