Short Paper Guidelines

You are assigned four short papers over the course of the semester. The papers are based on articles assigned from your Cultural Anthropology A Custom Reader for Citrus College Textbook. This is available at the OWL bookstore or on reserve at the library.  One paper is due at the end of each section.

How do I write the paper?

• For each section choose ONE of the assigned articles to write on
• Summarize the article in your own words, this is not an English paper I do not want a book report or an analysis of the author I want a discussion of the important or critical elements of what the author is trying to convey to the readers using anthropological concepts.
• Connect the article to class using specific terms or concepts from the chapters, ideas from class participation, or ideas from weekly discussion questions.  Make sure you are using SPECIFIC terms.  Saying things like this article is all about marriage and we just read about marriage is an introduction not a connection!  Use the anthropological term, identify a specific example from the paper then explain why they are the same and/or connected.
• The student may also use personal observations/experiences to further enhance the paper but it must not be opinion the paper must be phrased in a NEUTRAL way

What are the mechanics of the paper?

• Two full pages minimum
• One inch margins
• Twelve point pitch or smaller type face
• Double Spaced
• Correct grammar and spelling (an occasional mistake is O.K. but if the paper is so full of mistakes that the professor cannot read it, it will be graded down)
• Proper referencing and citation of sources including a reference page in APA style!  (NOTE: copying directly from articles, textbooks, web sites, or other related materials is considered plagiarism and will cause you to flunk the assignment)
• If you do not know how to use APA style there are many resources for you including but not limited to:
• Word 2007 has a reference tool both APA and MLA you just fill in the blanks, if you do not have access to that program the school has it in the computer labs
• myanthrolab that comes with the book has how to use APA help
• http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/ this is a fantastic resource.  Scroll all the way to the bottom of the page.  Link #2 is how to cite quotes within the paper and the rest of the links are how to cite the full sources on the reference page.  
•  If you make a boo boo no big deal but if you DO NOT TRY THIS you will be graded down accordingly!!  Also please note you must cite ANYTHING you quote even if I know where it comes from that means the books, me, the message boards, ANYTHING.  Also please note again wikipedia is NOT an academic source DON'T USE IT!!  You can do a fantastic job with just your books and the discussion on the message board I promise! :)

How am I graded?

• Each paper is worth 25 points
• Students are graded on a proper summary and connection to class using specific anthropological terms and concepts
• Students are graded on proper presentation of paper including mechanics
• Student are graded on following directions
• Students are graded on a neutral presentation
• Students are graded on properly citing sources and providing a reference sheet in APA format (occasional boo boos are ok I"m not an APA nazi, but lack of trying gets big points off!)
• Late papers are not acceptedfor any reason so plan ahead

How do I turn in the paper?

• Papers may be sent as an attachment to an e-mail message using Microsoft Word as a .doc file, Microsoft Works as an .rtf file or Adobe as a .PDF ONLY. If you have a MAC please go ahead and save as an .rtf even if it is in word it just works better! Please note papers sent in the body of an email will not be accepted and you will receive a zero. If you do not have access to those programs remember the school computers do and you can use them for free.

Examples of Short Papers

ARTICLES FOR THE PAPERS

Section One Articles

• Forms of Address
• Language and Social Identity
• Third OPTIONAL choice (does not appear on quizzes) Body Ritual of the Nacirema

Section Two Articles

• Nomads on Notice
• Office Work and the Crack Alternative

Section Three Articles

• Walking in the Land of Marriage
• Arranged Marriage in India
• Ladies Behind Bars
• The Modern State: Nation Builder or Nation Killer
• Witchcraft in an Anthropological Perspective
• Baseball Magic

Section Four Articles

• Career Advice for Anthropology Undergraduates
• Shuar Migrants and Shrunken Heads