How to Format and Submit Papers

Basics

· All papers must be typed.

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

· Don’t use a carriage return (a.k.a. “Enter” or “Return”) except at the end of a paragraph.

· Use only one carriage return at the end of a paragraph.

· Align your text left (not right or center or justified. If you have Microsoft Office, this link tells you how.

Software

· Set up your word-processing software so that your page has one-inch margins on all sides—top, bottom, left, and right. If you have Microsoft Office, this link tells you how.

· Use a 12-point proportional font (Times, for example, but not Courier). If you are not sure what the difference between a proportional and non-proportional font is, check this link.

· Set up page numbers in a header. If you have Microsoft Office, this link tells you how. The page numbers should be in the top right corner on each page, and your last name should appear just before the page number.

On the First Page

· Use a four-line heading on the top left of page one, consisting of (line 1) your name, (line 2) the name of our class, (3) the name of the assignment, and (4) the date you are turning it in. The name of the assignment is written on your syllabus; it’s not the same as your title.

· Don’t put your heading in the header. Headers print inside the top margin and repeat on every page; your heading should do neither of these things.

· Align your heading left (not right).

· Write a title. The title is original to your paper; it’s not the same as the assignment name.

· Center your title on the page. If you have Microsoft Office, this link tells you how.

· Put one carriage return after your title.

When You Print

· Use white paper and black print.

· Only print on one side of the paper.

· Staple your pages together with one staple in the upper left corner.

Submit Your Essay as an E-Mail Attachment

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

· Every UCSB student has a U-Mail account. Use U-Mail when you mail me. Other mail accounts tend to get caught in my spam filter and never make it to my inbox.

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

· If you don’t know how to attach an attachment, get me to show you. The procedure depends on which e-mail 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.

An Example

· Click here to see what a paper assignment would look like if Thomas Jefferson were a student in my class.