Paragraph Appearance: Most paragraphs are short. On the average they are seldom more than five or six lines long, but they must contain at least 2 sentences. Sentences normally contain eight to twenty words. They contain an, introduction, discussion, and transition statement or closure. No hyphenation is to be used. No misspelled words, liquid white out or other correction material is permitted on the paper.
Introduction
a. Catches the reader’s attention
b. Indicates topic and narrow it
c. Leads towards the body- sets the stage
d. Has a strong, very specific thesis statement
i. Limits what you will write about
1. If about an author, names the author and works to be explored
2. If about a period or genre, names the it and the authors involved in it
ii. Gives a focus as to what you will explore about topic
1. Defines the theme, symbol, plot device, character type, etc. that helps link the works or authors.
2. Minimizes the range of ideas that you will explore in the essay
3. Sets the boundaries, of which you will not stray
4. Puts forth an argument that you will defend
II. Background
a. Historical context
i. Does not provide an entire history of author or group
ii. Limits historical focus to relevant period and events
iii. Helps reader put essay in time context
iv. Helps reader make important links to influential events
b. Basic information for understanding context of thesis
i. Provides information about particular style of author or group
ii. Defines elements that are associated with the author or group
III. Analysis-Argument- Core of the essay
a. Breaks down the thesis into sub-points (separate paragraph for each)
i. Establishes broad points
ii. Identifies each point and defines it
iii. Narrows each point with specific details
iv. Shows comparisons or contrasts to be analyzed
b. Gives reasons for points or arguments that you make
i. Supports points with explanation
1. Fully develops the idea
2. Uses facts to support point
ii. Use logical reasoning
1. Connects ideas in a manner that does not confuse the reader
2. Makes assumptions or opinions that can be backed with evidence
c. Shows evidence of your points
i. Uses samples from works of selected authors (primary sources)
ii. Applies criticism and outside sources (secondary sources)
1. Quotes sources accurately
a. Introduces quotes with the author and source of the information
b. Provides only that much of the quote that is necessary to get across meaning
c. Explains the significance of the quote in relation to the point you were making
d. Uses correct parenthetical reference
2. Summarizes and paraphrases succinctly
3. Avoids any plagiarism and documents all sources
IV. Conclusion
ii. What does the future hold for military aviation?
Sources:
The informational research will be developed from a minimum 5 sources. The sources must be identified within a bibliography. At least 2 of the required sources will be from some current professional journal or article. i.e. The Wall Street Journal, economic report of the president, The statistical abstract of the united states, survey of current business, Air Transportation, Federal reserve bulletin, the monthly labor review, or business weekly.
