Requirements for Papers

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Failure to meet these requirements will result in reduced credit for the assignment

If typed: Font: Times New Roman 12 point ONLY.  Double spaced.  Word's default margin settings may be used.  Margins may not exceed 1.25 inches on top or sides.  If you need to fix your margins, go to the top of the paper and select "File" then "Page setup."  Then select the margin tab and adjust your margins accordingly.  Make sure you select "Whole Document" under the "apply" option. Eliminate the "mutant spaces" between the paragraphs. There should be consistent spacing throughout the paper.  Fix mutant spaces by going into your "paragraph" setting and setting spaces before and after to 1.

If handwritten: Use ink, skip lines, write on one side of the paper and cut off the "snowflakes."

Format: Unless otherwise indicated, always use essay format.  The paper should have an introduction, body and conclusion, in other words, a minimum of three paragraphs.

Headings:  Put your first name, last name and period only.  I don't want to see a heading that takes up 1/4 of the first page.  The heading should only be ONE (1) line.  Do not use a title unless specifically requested to do so.

Length: If a paper is 1-2 pages, it should be longer than one page and less than two pages.  Regardless of the length, the first number means it must be at least THAT number of full pages.  "Full" means you finish your paper on the very last line of that page, or that it spills over on to a second page by a word or two.

DO NOT USE SECOND PERSON: 

Biblical Citations: Unless otherwise instructed, papers should be well supported by Biblical texts.  Your citations should be copious and accurate.  Use the abbreviation for the book, then chapter and verse.  As a rule you should NOT quote the whole verse, but only what is germane to your argument.

Citations: Any idea that is not your own needs a citation.  Just changing the wording does not make it your idea.  If you change the wording you must still cite it.  Even if you have three or four sentences in a row from the same source, you must still use a citation at the end of each sentence.  Check this link for more information.  Your Works Cited page must follow the MLA format.  The WCHS Style Manual should be consulted for examples.  

Many people have trouble citing internet articles.  These two links should help:  Putting internet sites in your "Works Cited" List, and Citing internet articles with no page numbers. 

If you get stuck with a particular reference, you can check the WCHS Intranet.  Look under "Writing Guidelines" for links to the WCHS manual, Easy Bib, or just access them from here.  Use "WORLD CAT" to look up any book and it will tell you how to make the proper bibliographic entry.