MediaSpace Wiki

Advanced Interpersonal Term Paper

Objective: To examine an issue related to interpersonal communication in detail.

General Expectations:

• Satisfy the 10/10/12 Rule:
  • 10 references, excluding the texts used in the course (you can use the texts in your referencing, but they don't count towards the 10.
  • 10 pages double spaced. This is not a maximum page count. It is about the right length for a paper that explores an issue in more detail. The problem with shorter isn't that you will lose a lot of points. I will deduct about a point a page (out of 100) if the paper is short. It is that you'll have trouble satisfying other paper objectives in a shorter paper.
  • 12 point type. Pretty much the default these days.
• Things that I expect in a minimally competent ("D") paper:
  • An appropriate title
  • An introductory paragraph that sets up the paper
  • A concluding paragraph that reasonably concludes the paper
  • The content of the paper to be organized (headings are a good thing, especially when you use them to outline the paper in advance)
  • The paper is at least 10 pages long
  • The writing quality of the paper is reasonable. I'm more tolerant of spelling errors than I am of broken sentences a multi-page paragraphs.
  • There are 10 references, not including the books used in class.
• Things that I expect in an average ("C") paper
  • The content of the paper does a good job of summarizing the subject matter.
  • The conclusion of the paper is tied to the opening of the paper.
  • The references are all used in the body of the paper (and everything that needs to be referenced in the paper actually is).
• Things that I expect in an above average ("B") paper
  • A fun and interesting title
  • An introductory paragraph that creates interest in the paper.
  • The body of the paper is interesting and thought provoking.
  • The references are used well (e.g. they help to advance the paper).
• Things that I expect in an exceptional ("A") paper
  • The conclusion is thoughtful and raises interesting questions.
  • The presentation is creative
  • The references are interesting and/or eclectic (e.g. they add something unusual or interesting to the paper).