Term Paper Checklist
Before turning in your paper to Dr. Von please review each of the items listed below to make sure you have addressed
each issue. If discrepancies between this list and the syllabus occur then the syllabus will take precedent. There are
other good writing rules that are not specifically listed but should be followed. Please contact Dr. Von for clarification.
□ Do not plagiarize; submit paper to SafeAssignment and
check matching score (ensure matching score is < 30% to
avoid possible penalties)
□ Clear thesis statement in the introduction
□ Term paper typed in Word software; do not use MS Works
or any Apple Products unless Instructor authorizes otherwise.
□ Proper use of homonyms (e.g., their vs. there; too vs. to vs.
two; affect vs. effect; ad vs. add)
□ Appropriate number of words for paper (use word count in
Word; generally significant penalties for insufficient words)
□ Interviews are not considered an acceptable reference for
term papers so please do not use them as a reference.
□ Use spell checker and thesaurus (to limit use of the same
word over and over; provide synonyms as appropriate)
□ Do not use the phrase (or similar phrase): “Webster’s (or
any other dictionary or encyclopedia) defines ….”
□ Support what you say with references; be able to document
your assertions, especially when indicating that research says
□ Do not switch person in the paper (e.g., from 2nd to 1st ; 3rd to
1st)
□ Alphabetize sources in References by last name of first
author; make sure all authors are cited in list in the proper
order as indicated in the actual article
□ Late papers will generally be graded as a zero
□ Do not use rhetorical questions (e.g., What is sexual
harassment? And then the writer goes on an answers his/her
own questions)
□ Your paper adheres to generally accepted principles of
grammar and punctuation
□ Use APA style or a reasonable facsimile (1 in. margins all
around, 12 point formal writing font (e.g., Times New
Roman), left justified, double-spaced throughout the paper,
indent paragraphs, references begin on separate page
□ Make sure that each reference cited in the paper is listed in
the reference section at the end of the paper and every
reference listed in the References of the paper is included in
the body of the paper
□ Do not begin sentences with the word “So”
□ No sexist language; be careful in using “he” or
“businessmen” without “she” or businesswomen
□ Do not use personal accounts or experiences—this paper is
primarily a professional library research paper and student
personal experiences should not be used
□Make sure Instructor can open references in BlackBoard
with a single click of his mouse
□ Have another person (who is good at punctuation and
grammar) read your paper for comprehension and make
adjustments based on their input
□ Do not use contractions (e.g., don’t, isn’t, shouldn’t, it’s)
□ Write in the 3rd person unless specifically asked to do
otherwise (i.e., do not use “I,” We,” “You,” “Your,” or “Our”)
□ Start key sections of paper (cover page, abstract, text,
references) on a new page
□ Use only references in the paper that have at least three
references in the manuscript itself.
□ Do not have run-on sentences or sentence fragments or use
awkward phrasing
□ Retain electronic/disk copy of term paper in case Instructor
loses paper
□ Make sure paper has a cover page with student’s name and
an Abstract of 75-200 words on a separate sheet.
□ Do not use excessively long paragraphs (generally, anything
longer than ½ page)
□ Have you submitted the entire set of references used in your
paper to BB? Instructor wants the ENTIRE ARTICLE.
□ Post in BlackBoard a copy of each journal reference used in
paper; this means the ENTIRE ARTICLE
□ Do not use excessive number of quotes; student’s job is to
read professional articles and paraphrase; Instructor does not
want to read a paper filled with quotes.
□ Paper is on-topic and addresses the topic
□ Have you reviewed examples of Satisfactory and
Unsatisfactory papers in Dr. Von’s web page (in Class
Resources for this class)?
□ Place your name and page numbers in upper right hand
corner in the header
□ Do not use colloquialisms—a word, phrase, or paralanguage
that is employed in conversational or informal language but
not in formal speech or formal writing (e.g., old as the hills,
raining cats and dogs, or dead as a doornail).
□ It is a good idea to have personnel from the Learning Center
or Writing Resource Center review your paper and offer
suggestions. What proof can you provide your instructor that
you worked with these individuals?
□ The references you use have references themselves
□ Provide page numbers for quotes and references where
possible
□ Cite sources/references in text and list references at the end
of the paper; make sure references are integrated in the body
of the term paper
□ Provide wording variety in paper. Don’t just use the same
word/s over and over. This will maintain Instructor interest