Writing Assignment Instructions

I am sure this is not your first English class, but they are not all the same

You have surely written and turned in papers, but different situations call for different requirements, formats, methods. In college English classes, for example, your papers must be in correct MLA-9 format to be accepted.

"Not a prob; I know MLA format!"

Do you? Really? MLA-9? MLA-8 (and 9) replaced MLA-7 way back in 2016, but most high school teachers I've talked to don't know that; they teach some odd, cobbled-together, sort-of MLA format from their own high school days, or they just teach APA (the format your psychology and sociology papers will surely be done in, not your English and humanities papers).

I mention this ONLY BECAUSE you need to know specific requirements for THIS CLASS, things like how to submit your work, what format your paper must be in and how to set up Word to make that happen--things like that. This is dull stuff; I know. But you need to know it.

General Information about Essays

Save a copy

always keep copies of all of your assignments. If there is a problem with either e-mail or snail-mail, you will need that copy to re-send for credit. Give it a name that is easy to recognize and save it on your computer where you can easily locate it.

Formatting in Word

to change the left and right margins to 1" go to PAGE LAYOUT and select the "Normal" template with 1" margins all around (in earlier versions of WORD select the FILE tab then PAGE SETUP; there is a space where you can change the 1.25" margins to 1" quite easily)
double spacing your paper is done by selecting PARAGRAPH (found under the FORMAT tab in older versions); in the LINE SPACNG box select "Double"; also make sure that BEFORE and AFTER are both set to 0, or you will get extra spacing each time you hit "Enter" while typing
the header (your last name and the page number 1/2" from the top right of each page) is handled using the HEADER/FOOTER feature found under INSERT (or VIEW in older versions)

Don't have Word?

You must still save your file as either a .doc or .pdf file (most software will allow you to do this). If you send me a .od or .wps or even a .pages file, they will be returned. And please, no ZIPPED files.

Each of our normal essays is worth up to 100 points (compare that to a Discussion or Quiz that clocks in at 20 or 10 points), so they are a big part of your grade. Other assignments will list points possible on the prompts. Here are some more facts about our essays:

ALL of them have very specific prompts; your writing needs to address all elements of the writing prompts (often there is a template for you, and most have the prior class discussion as a pre-writing activity).
All of them will require you to do some research. Oh, it's really easy research, but you won't pass without that element.
All of them will be roughly 1/3 directly-quoted (and parenthetically-cited) material from that research.
All are due on specific dates, though you can turn them in early.
All must be in MLA-9 format (including documentation), or they will not be accepted/graded.
All papers must be saved on your computer or on a thumb drive as either .docx or .pdf files, attached to an email, and sent to me at JRCORBALLY@GMAIL.COM (if you send me a Google DOCS file or a link to a paper on OneDrive for Business or a .pages file, or if you try to send it through Canvas or via Turnitin, you'll have to resend it correctly).
All essays must be at least four+ FULL pages in MLA format (not countng pictures or the Works Cited) if you are tryinng to earn an A or a B on that essay. Any essay not at least 3+ FULL pages will not be accepted at all. NOTE: Four+ full pages is typical college/university length, though term papers tend to be longere than that.
All papers are evidence based, not personal opinion papers; that's just the nature of English 101. Your job in the papers (and in the Discussions) is to show you understand the ideas we are reading about and can expand on them; it is not to agree or disagree (though you certainly are free to do so NOT in your papers and discussions). This is a "here are some facts" class, not an "I believe" class.

how to submit your work

All essays must be in standard MLA-9 (Modern Language Association) format. For complete information on what this format looks like, you can refer to any current writer's handbook, but this simple document not only shows it, but it explains exactly how to set it up (and it's free):

Sample MLA-9 Format Essay in Word

I also have a few required MLA resources (including set-up videos) in the Files section on Canvas you'll look at, and You can also find information on places like the Purdue OWL site.

"But what if I'm using different software than what's on your set-up video?"

You might be. I use full-featured, standalone Word, and you may use a newer cloud-based version or something like Pages. It's not a problem. You may have to search a YouTube video on "How to set up MLA-9 paper using Pages" or "How do I set up an MLA-9 Works Cited page using Word 365" and so on. Those sorts of searches take SECONDS to do. And, of course, you CAN access Word 365 on SIS.

Added Notes About Different Word Processing Software:

Use the software you are comfortable with, but you still must submit your work as a saved file (.docx or .pdf, and you can look up how to do that on YouTube as well) that is attached to your email and sent to me at JRCORBALLY@GMAIL.COM
DO NOT send me links to things such as Google DOCS or OneDrive files.

other things:

late papers

Typically, a paper can be turned in up to a week late with just a 10% penalty. This is because sometimes things do happen. Yes, try to get things in early, or you will find that you have multiple assignments jammed up.

The last paper cannot be turned in late after the last day of class.

short papers

Any paper shorter than three+ full pages WILL NOT be accepted at all; you will be asked to revise it as a late paper. NOTE: Word count requirements or English classes is set by the State, the CSUs and the UCs. Courses that do not meet their requirements will not transfer.

other revisions?

We just do not have time. Look at the Class Schedule. There is a lot going on because this class is so short.

the "P" word, again

Plagiarized work will earn a "fail" (for that assignment). Plagiarized work is any work not your own (and, yes, that includes AI-generated text from software such as ChatGPT; that is not YOUR work).

final note:

Always, always ask! Send questions to JRCORBALLY@GMAIL.COM.

Information on Writing Assignments