Parameters of the Paper
– Use 12 font, double spacing and standard margins.
– Cover page to include Paper Title, Your Name, Course Title, and Date.
– Citations in the form of footnotes.
– A bibliography.
Paper Structure
– Your Paper can be structured in the following way:
Introduction
– Statement about the context of the question – explain why the question in important (either in the ‘real’ world or for the academic discipline of business)
– Give your answer to the question
– Summarize your argument in support of this answer
– this summary should match the order of your paragraphs
Main body
– Decide on the most logical order of your paragraphs this might be importance, chronology or causation, but the basic flow should be simple and clear
– Start each paragraph with a sentence that clearly addresses the question itself this will be your thesis for the paragraph and if a reader only read these opening sentences, they should make sense one after the other and provide a summary of your argument
– Follow the opening ‘topic’ sentence with your reasoning and evidence for why this opening statement is valid. The more detail you can bring in, the more expert you will sound and the more persuasive your argument will be.
Conclusion
– Summarize your argument again – as you did in the introduction (different words though!)
– Restate your answer to the essay question – So what?
– say what the significance of your answer is either in the ‘real’ world or to the academic discipline of business
Bibliography
– List the books / articles you read while researching your answer
Cite your Work!
What to cite: Deciding what material to cite can be tricky. On one side of the citation spectrum you’ve got direct quotations-material typed word-for-word from the source text-that should always list the source. On the other side of the spectrum you have your own personal arguments and ideas; obviously these won’t have a source to cite. Then you have everything else in between. Often it can be difficult to tell where your research ends and your own ideas begin or whether a fact or idea can be considered common enough to skip the citation. When you’re in this gray area, it’s a matter of personal discretion, but there are a few guidelines that can help:
Direct quotes. Material that is copied word for word from another source should always include a citation. Note that direct quotations should be used sparingly. Unless the writer’s language is of interest or you feel they expressed an idea in a way that you can’t paraphrase, it’s better to summarize the point.
Paraphrasing. If you’re paraphrasing someone else’s ideas-that is, you’re not quoting word-for-word but you’re restating an original idea that came from another person’s work-then you need to use a citation.
Controversial ideas. Anything that could be considered controversial should include a reference to the source; if you’re taking a side in a debate you need to show you have evidence to back it up.
General knowledge. General facts such as dates and names don’t require citations. If you can find it in any common textbook or encyclopedia, then you don’t need to cite a specific source. Everything else. If you’re not sure, it’s always better to play it safe and provide a citation. Remember, anything that doesn’t have a citation you’re taking credit for, and you’ll be better off. If your paper has too many citations than if it looks like you’re intentionally plagiarizing somebody else’s work.
Style
Style For citation and bibliography format and other matters of style follow The Chicago Manual of Style 16th Edition.
The Chicago Manual of Style
