Popular Mechanics by Raymond Carver

All three final papers must be presented in the following ways for full credit:

1. Each paper must include the MLA proper heading and reference to it as a final paper
(please label 1,2, or 3) or a rewrite (i.e., Rewrite of Final Paper 1, 2, or 3).
2. All papers must be typed and in MLA form as referenced on “OWL” or the Online
Writing Lab, exemplified by sample student paper, and reviewed by the Academic
Success Center or Smart Thinking. This means that all work is in 12 pt. font, double
spaced, one side of the paper only, without graphics or colored ink, and without extra
spaces between the paragraphs.
3. All papers must be at least five paragraphs long. Each paragraph must be between
7 and 12 sentences long.
4. Final Papers come from the rough drafts written each week. It is always up to the
student as to which rough draft he or she should use from the acceptable choices as
a basis for the Final Paper. Students must give evidence of extensive revision to the
draft in order to receive credit.
5. All papers are researched. As such, they must include a proper MLA “Works Cited”
sheet at the end with at least two secondary critical sources listed (please remember
to also cite your primary source or the poem or story on which you are writing).
6. Because all papers are researched, the body of the paper must include at least one
line or word from each critic and at least three lines or words from the author studied.
Proper in text citation must be used (no footnotes please).
Tips for creating successful final papers:
1. Use the author’s full name and the full title of the researched piece in proper form
(i.e., underlined or placed in quotation marks) in the first few sentences of your paper.
After that, address the author by the last name only and abbreviate the title if it is
long.
2. Use a strong thesis statement as the last line of your first paragraph. It should state
an opinion, hint at the three ways you will support your opinion, and mention what
your opinion adds to the body of knowledge concerning the piece.
3. Use strong topic sentences in each support paragraph.
4. Use transitional words like “First” or “Further” in each topic sentence.
5. Use present tense to discuss literature.
6. Avoid author biography unless creating a clear biographical reading.
7. Use a concluding paragraph which simply summarizes the introduction.
8. Visit your professor, the Academic Success Center (extra credit given), or
SmartThinking (extra credit given) for help.
9. Rewrite any paper which does not receive an “A.”

rough draft