• All writing assignments must be typed. (Including extra credit).
  
  
• Written assignments must be literate. This means words should be spelled properly, sentences should be complete and meaningful, and paragraphs should be coherent.
  
  
• Writing must follow standard conventions for citing sources. Refer to the approved style manual, The Little, Brown Compact Handbook, third edition, by Jane E. Aaron (Longman, 1998). This is our university-wide guide. All undergraduate students should have this manual.
  
  
  • Citations must be given when you use a direct quotation from a published work, or when you are paraphrasing an author's ideas that have appeared in a published work. Direct quotes should be set off by quotation marks.
    
    
  • It is plagiarism to quote another's words or ideas without citing them. YOU WILL RECEIVE A FAILING GRADE FOR ANY PAPER WITH PLAGIARIZED WORK. IF YOU PLAGIARIZE AN ENTIRE PAPER, WE MAY FAIL YOU FOR THE ENTIRE COURSE. (See Department of Anthropology plagiarism policy, at the end of these instructions.)
    
    
  • Use the following citation style (University of Chicago Standard Reference Style)
    
    
    • Place citation in parentheses following the quotation or paraphrase. Example:
      
      
      • "Virtually everyone belongs to more than one cultural group, each with its own history, cultural codes or norms, and sense of solidarity" (Adams 2001:11).
        
        
      • Quotation from the Anth. 202 textbook, Introductions to units, the first article in each section is authored by Dr. Jane Adams.
        
        
      • Quotation from the Anth. 202 textbook, specific articles: Refer to each article's author individually. All information regarding author's name, what publication the article was taken from, year of publication, etc., can be found at the bottom of the first page of the article.
        
        
    • Collect all the citations into a reference list with the complete reference.
      
      
      • Example for a chapter from a book:
        
      • Deloria, Ella. 1998 (1944). Speaking of Indians, University of Nebraska Press.
        
        
      • Example for an article in a magazine or book:
        
      • Ehrenreich, Barbara. 1999. "Nickel-and-Dimed: On (not) getting by in America," Harper's Magazine, January, pp. 37-52.
        
        
      • Example for a file from the World Wide Web:
        
      • Putre, Laura. 2000. "Trail of Broken Dreams." www.clevescene.com/issues/2000-11-23/feature.html/printable_pages (July 2000)
        
        
      • Information included for web page: Author's name (or organization); date of publication (date of last revision, if given); title of document; title of complete work (if given); URL, in angle brackets; date of access, in parentheses.
        
        

The following will be used as a guide for grading your essays.

____________ Style correct (15 percent)

• Spelling generally correct
  
• Punctuation generally correct
  
• Syntax generally correct (subject-verb agreement, correct use of tenses, prepositions used correctly, etc.)
  
• Sentence structure correct (no run-on sentences, sentence fragments, etc.)
  
• Paragraph structure correct (topic sentence, following text logically connected)
  
• Sources cited appropriately in text
  
• References listed correctly at end
  
• Citation style follows a standard form (see Handbook)
  

____________ Accuracy of content (30 percent)

• Appropriate array of sources used (readings, lectures, etc.)
  
• Data are accurately presented (quoted, paraphrased, etc.)
  
• Data are used appropriately in essay
  

____________ Thoughtfulness (30 percent)

• Data from a variety of sources are used to make point
  
• Arguments are supported logically
  
• Arguments are supported with data
  

____________ Overall quality (25 percent)

• Coherence of entire essay
  
• Thoughtfulness of entire essay
  
• Accuracy of entire essay
  
• Appearance of paper (neatness)
  

Department of Anthropology, "Writing Standards for Students"

The major concern in giving proper citations is avoiding plagiarism. The definition of plagiarism in the SIUC Student Conduct Code is "representing the work of another as one's own work." Plagiarism can take many forms. It may be blatant, as in the outright copying of paragraphs or pages of published work without enclosing the excerpt in quotation marks and giving citation; or it may be subtle, such as borrowing the structure of argumentation from another author without proper attribution. The critical element in plagiarism is omitting reference to the source of ideas that you take from someone else. The easiest way to avoid even the appearance of plagiarism is to learn NOW to give proper credit to those whose work you draw upon, and to use proper citation.

We understand anyone can make a mistake. However, in this course, blatant instances of academic dishonesty will result in the student failing the assignment and the course. If you have any questions regarding proper citation procedures or if you need assistance, please feel free to ask your instructor, your teaching assistant, or the SIUC Writing Center for help.

© Jane Adams 2004