Author Guidelines
Your manuscript will be evaluated on various factors outlined in the syllabus for this course, some of which are reiterated below:
Title Page: This first page should include the title of your paper, your name, and the date that the final paper was submitted. This page should not have a page number on it.
Abstract & Keywords: We will spend time in class working on writing a short abstract and keywords for your paper. This will be a separate page that will follow your title page.
Acknowledgements: It is important to recognize and acknowledge those people who have helped you in your work in and out of this course. We will discuss this further in class time. Acknowledgements come after the end of your paper and before your References Cited.
References Cited: These include all fully read and properly referenced and integrated in-text citations. MUST INCLUDE AT LEAST 1 REFERENCE FROM A FACULTY MEMBER’S PUBLICATIONS (or explain why not). Must have 15-20 appropriate references cited, using SAA style for citation. Your “References Cited” should start on a new page after your Acknowledgements.
Final Paper: 18-20 pages (4700-5000 words) (not including your title page, abstract/keywords page, or the References Cited pages)
Your paper will be evaluated on the following criteria:
Organization
- A clear research question(s) that identifies the key argument of the paper
- Introduction that starts broadly and narrows down to the research question
- A “Road Map” paragraph that lays out what you will do in the paper (a mini-outline)
- Appropriate use of section headings and subheadings (please do not use headings for every one or two paragraphs!)
- Inclusion of a discussion section that asks ‘so what and who cares’? Ask, for example what does this paper tell us about the world in which we live, why should we care about these critical issues and questions? How does anthropology contribute to this discussion?
- A conclusion that does more than simple restates the research question but is thoughtful about the contributions your paper provides as well as wrapping up the paper
- Smooth transition from one paragraph to another
Research and Analysis
- Describe and explain - you want to go beyond merely describing, but explain the ‘why’ or ‘how this is relevant’.
- Include research that enhances, builds on the themes/tensions/ debates/concepts you focus on.
- Must include 15-20 references.
- Sections of the paper should be logically ordered and should clearly relate to answering the research questions that guide the structure of the paper
- Use of appropriate citations that support and add to your argument
- Absence of multiple pages using only one research source (in other words, multiple sources used throughout)
- Precision in your argument and an avoidance of generalizations
- Competing views, where appropriate, are acknowledged in the essay
Format/Grammar
- Title page, Abstract & Keyword page
- Acknowledgements
- Page numbers (do not number your title page as 1, the first page of text is 1)
- Appropriate margins
- Double spaced
- Proof read
- Times New Roman 12-point font
- Appropriate citation format (SAA style)
- “References Cited” pages included (do not label as “bibliography”)
- Best if written as in first person narrative (i.e., use “I”)
It is your responsibility to ensure any images, tables, graphs, and other illustrations used in your manuscript fall within the relevant copyright laws and regulations.