Guidelines for Writing Mini Research Paper:

Instructor: Nurul Aman

ECO317-Govt Finance
The Format of the essays will be as follows:

1. The expectation: It is expected to of high quality essays with analytical

reasoning and integrated approach of understanding relevant economic
theories and their applications on the writing topics. The students are expected
to make a major contribution in your critical writing essays in relating to the
subject area or the issue assigned. Integration means to make consistent
analysis of relating relevant and appropriate use of economic and social
variables needed for the theoretical models used in the essays.

2. Writing Style: The following general style as guided by

APA(www.apa.org). I will attach a sample of the APA style reference and
citations to use in the paper.

a. Font size 12, Time New Roman, normal (not bold), double spaced, the
first line of each paragraph of the essays must be indented to the right by
1 inch on the ruler, and no bold or italic except some quotation or
highlighting certain important points or referenced comments by someone
else.
b. Not to copy any one’s writing, except quoting with appropriate reference
with parenthesis(to be discussed in the class)
c. Will explain in the class how to write the list of references, including
citations
d. Avoid writing: I, we, you, me, us, ours, etc.
e. Header of each page on the right corner should highlight the core subject
of your essays (to be discussed in the class) and your name

3. The Length of the essays/assignments: The main writing of the essays

should be between 7-10 pages, with no upper limit as opted by some students.
In addition, student must include the cover page with subject, course #,
Semester, Year, name and Instructor name and date of submission. Reference
list is also considered additional page(s) and important to include over and
above 3 pages of requirement for the actual contents of the essays.

4. The Seven Cs of Effective Writing

The following guidelines can help students with the 7 Cs of Effective Writing on
assignments. Providing the 7 Cs is a useful way of instilling sound writing habits.

Effective writing has the following seven characteristics:

1. Complete - Effective writing uses topic sentences, explanations, and supporting
evidence. It has only one main idea in each sentence and one main idea in each
paragraph.

2. Concise - Effective writing does not use unnecessary words, trite phrases, or
redundancies.

3. Courteous - The tone of effective writing avoids demeaning or patronizing

language, sexist or other offensive terminology, inappropriate humor, accusatory
tone, terse wording, and imperative voice (expresses a request or demand).

4. Concrete - Active, right-branching sentences (sentences that start with a

subject, followed by a verb and object) are characteristic of effective writing. Avoid
abstract words whenever possible.

5. Clear - Effective writing is clear and unambiguous. Subjects and verbs agree,
and pronoun antecedents are clear. In addition, the writing is free of jargon and slang.

6. Coherent- Organization is key to effective writing. Sentences should flow in a

logical sequence and not "jar" the reader. Transitional elements should show the
relationship of one idea to another.

7. Correct- Mechanically correct writing is a hallmark of effective writing. The

writing must be mechanically correct with regard to spelling, grammar, usage,
punctuation, and format.