Math G Rules and Tips for Papers and Presentations (09)

Specific Assignment Requirements

Assignment	Requirement	Turn In	Sources
First Presentation	5 minute speech	Reference List	At least two
Midterm	5 minute speech 5-10 page paper	First Draft Completed Paper Electronic copy	At least two paper At least five total
Final	10-15 page paper	First Draft Completed Paper Electronic Copy	At least three paper At least six total

General Requirements

1) You must use the required number and type of sources or references - not just one. Your class textbook cannot be one of the references.

2) Paper sources include books, magazines, newspapers or MC Library Databases.

3) You must include a complete reference list in your paper:

- if you use a web site it must be publicly accessible - give the complete address and the date you accessed it ,

- if I cannot access the site I may return your paper.

4) You must clearly identify with quotation marks or indents any portion of your paper that is a direct quotation from your sources.

5) Violation of #3 or 4 may result in penalty for cheating or plagiarism.

It is cheating if you quote material and do not identify it.

It is cheating if you print internet text or pictures and do not identify them.

If it is difficult for me to find your source I will assume you intended to cheat.

I may require an electronic copy in order to test for cheating

6) Your goal is to produce a standard transfer-level college research paper:

7) Combine your own thoughts with information from several sources using your own words.

8) Direct quotations should be relatively short and must be identified as quotations.

9) Include relevant comments or experiences of your own.

10) Include appropriate graphs or illustrations – identify the source.

What do I look for when I'm grading?

1) Interesting or unusual topic - but the main focus must be math.

2) Appropriate level of math: must be more advanced than arithmetic - but understandable to your class colleagues.

3) Clear explanation of what difference the math made - what did it let you do that you couldn't do without it?

4) Evidence that you put time and effort and thought into choosing your topic.

5) Evidence that you put time and effort and thought into designing an effective presentation , suitable for the class.

6) Good spelling, grammar and appearance of the written paper.

7) Evidence that what you turn in is your own work, and that you understand and can explain it.

Some Possible Topics

1) Applications of math to other classes or to work or to outside interests.

2) "New" math topics which are not covered in our class/text.

3) History of math and different cultures.

4) Biographies which show mathematicians' work and the actual math involved.

5) Math education or math learning or math anxiety.

Some Difficulties to Avoid

1) Missing or incomplete reference list.

2) "Numbers" which use no mathematical techniques: for example, lists of measurements or numerology.

3) Biographies which talk about the person's life but not about their math.

4) Sections of material copied straight from the source or downloaded from the internet.

5) Not enough math or too simple a level of math.

6) Material that we've covered in the same manner in class.