Writing Assignment Options
Students may select from any of the following options:
- A) “Who Do You Think You Are, and How Did You Get Here?”
- B) The Status of Immigration in The American West: Past, Present, and Future
- C) The Status of Native American Sovereignty in The American West: Past, Present, and Future
- D) Or some other topic that is subject to instructor approval.
Students who have any questions are encouraged to ask them as soon as possible.
Writing Requirement Format
- The length of the assignment should be at least 2,000 words (in addition to the words comprising the cover page), however students may write more if they should so wish. This assignment is worth 100 points.
- Each paper must have at least three (3) references. Class notes, the textbook, or other lecture materials may not be used as references. I may not be used as a reference. However, published materials that are listed in the textbook may be used.
- Proper headings should be used to identify major, or minor, topics being discussed.
- The assignment will be due on Friday, November 3rd, at 11:59 PM so that the assignment may be graded, and feedback provided. The document is to be submitted through the course Blackboard to SafeAssign for evaluation. As per the syllabus, submissions which are late will be assessed a penalty of five (5) points per calendar day regardless of reason. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis, but must have proper documentation to support the granting of an exception, and any exception is left to the discretion of the instructor. Students would be well advised to submit their assignment well before the deadline in case there are any problems with their internet connection, or with Blackboard.
Document Format
- The document must be submitted with a 12-point font size, double-spaced, on 8.5 x 11-inch white paper with one-inch side, bottom, and top margins. It must include a title page that lists the title of the class, the name of the student, and the class section in which the student is enrolled (see last page of this guide).
- The submitted document must use either of the Microsoft Word document formats DOCX or DOC, or rich-text-format (RTF) which will preserve formatting instructions. Students using a word-processing software other than Microsoft Word, must use the command save the file as and use one of the aforementioned file formats, or else be subject to a 50 point LOSS of points for the assignment.
- Students are to follow the APA format. There are no exceptions to this. It is the responsibility of the student to become aware of the proper guidelines.
- Points may be lost according to the following:
No title page point loss : -2 points
Not double-spaced point loss: -2 points
Improper file format loss: -50 points
Insufficient word count point loss between:
1980 – 2000 words, -0 points
1950 – 1979 words, -25 points
1900 – 1949 words, -50 points
Fewer than 1900 words, -100 points
Submitted Late – Five (5) points per calendar day.
No, or incomplete, electronic submission point loss: -100
There may be other points lost according to the scoring rubric, and so it is possible for a student to earn zero (0) points for the assignment.
Special Note
- The writing style that is used should represent the students’ best efforts. The writing requirement will be graded on spelling, grammar, clarity and coherence, and whether, or not, the overall objective of the assignment was achieved (see scoring rubric).
- Students may not use the following words, or phrases, under any circumstances.
“Like”, “you know”, “really”, “thing”, or any words, phrases, or abbreviations that might otherwise be used in cellular telephone text messages. For example, LOL, OMG, I c u ltr, how r u? would not be allowed. Examples of the aforementioned text would count for twice the penalty points according to the scoring rubric.
The goal of the student should be to write the assignment as if it were being submitted to a potential employer for review. Each of you is a university student, and you should strive to write as well as possible.
