How to Format and Submit Your Papers   (doc)

Correct Paper Layout & Format

Set up your word-processing software so that your page has one-inch margins on all sides—top, bottom, left, and right.

Don’t forget to double-space!

Use a 12-point proportional font (Times, for example, but not Courier).

Don’t use font colors other than black, or paper colors other than white.

Set up page numbers in a header or footer.

Use a four-line heading on the top left of page one, consisting of your name, the name of our class, the name of the task, and the due date.

Write a title.  Center it on the page, and leave extra space before your first paragraph.

Use one tab, or five spaces, at the beginning of each paragraph.

Submit every assignment as an e-mail attachment

• Send me an electronic copy of every major writing task you write for this class.

• Attach it to an email message; don’t just paste the text of your essay into the body of the email.

• If you don’t know how to attach an attachment, get me to show you.  The procedure depends on which email software you are using.

• Include a subject line in your email, such as your full name and the name of the assignment.  You don’t have to write anything in the body of the message.

Correct File Format & File Name

• The following details will help me when you submit your documents electronically.

• When you save your file, use as long a filename as necessary.  Include your full name and the name of the assignment—for example: “Kazuo Hashimoto – Paragraph 1, Final Draft.”

• If you use Microsoft Word, check to see which version you have.  If your version is newer than Word 2000 then please save every document as a Word 2000 file (use “save as”).

• If your word-processing software is not Microsoft Word, please save the document as an “rtf” file.

• If you are not sure which software or which version you are using, go to “help” and then “about.”

Rough Drafts and Final Drafts

• When you submit a rough draft, I will review it and return it to you with my comments. 

• When you revise a rough draft, you should read my comments and do your best to follow my suggestions.