Term Paper Outline

Objectives:

The objectives of this paper are to explore an aspect of landscape practices and synthesize that information into a manuscript. Choose a topic that particularly interests you. Please see instructor for approval of your subject, however, before you research it. This will save time and duplication of subjects. We suggest that you limit your topic rather than selecting an expansive area. This will simplify your work.

Five references (minimum) are required. These may be books, periodicals, journals, or other published references. Web page citations may not be more than ½ of citations. Citations and footnotes in the body of the work are not necessary unless you are making a direct quote from a published work. In cases where phrases and sentences are directly copied, however, they must be cited. List your references in a Bibliography with the following citation style:

Friel, John. 1994. Picking the Perfect Perennial. American Nurseryman, 180(12):62-69.

Style:

Write the paper as if your reader is someone in the landscape industry who is looking for practical information on a topic. This is not meant to be a scientific term paper. The style and presentation format used in garden magazines or trade journals, such as American Nurseryman or Grounds Maintenance would be appropriate. There is no prescribed length; however, the subject should be covered adequately. As far as the reader is concerned, too much information is as perplexing as not enough. Drawings or photographs may be used to illustrate your ideas. The paper must be typed or work-processed with letter quality print, double spaced, and appear professional and neat.

Due Date for Topic: Monday, 29 January, by the beginning of lecture. Submit your proposed title for feedback any time before this date.

Due Date for Draft: Monday, 26 February, at the beginning of lecture. Bring 2 copies of your paper to distribute to 2 persons in the class. In turn, you will be given copies of 2 other papers written by your classmates for your edits. - These edits will be due the next class meeting (Monday, 5 March).

Due Date for Paper: Monday, 26 March, at the beginning of lecture. Ten points per day late will be deducted from the paper's score after this deadline. Note: We will keep your papers on file after you have seen the evaluation and score; therefore, you should print two copies if you want to keep a copy for yourself.

The paper is worth 10% of your course grade. Papers will be graded comparatively and will be graded for content, thoroughness, proper usage of English and grammar, and readability. Please let us know if you have any questions or trouble finding information. The earlier you start on this, the better!