On Writing

I can't and won't edit your paper; neither will your boss.  If your writing is confusing, awkward, and haphazard, you risk others will stop reading and move on.  When we survey companies who want to hire our graduates, they advise always that we help students with their communication skills, oral and written. See:  What Corporations Want in an MBA New Hire

The rules governing plagiarism violations are spelled out in the UMKC Catalog. Go here.

Written work prepared for this course will be evaluated against these criteria:

1. Logic, reasoning, coherence. and organization.
2. Syntax, sentence structure, word choice and grammar.
3. Clarity, thoroughness , and creativity.

There are no templates with standards for everything you write. However, I can share these brief thoughts about writing in general:  Points About Writing.

If you do not own and regularly review a good style manual, buy, and read one.

Due dates. Grades may be reduced for late submissions. You may lose up to one full grade if a paper is late. Late is at the start of the class the paper is due.

Format.  All written material must be double spaced, typed, with at least 1 1/2 inch margins (for me to write comments). 

If you submit a paper single spaced, I'll return it for resubmission and it will be considered late.  I normally do not want emailed papers unless there is no other way for you to get the paper to me. Emailed papers not submitted as a word document attachment will be returned for resubmission and will be considered late. 

Make sure your name is on every page, the pages are numbered, and the pages stapled and typed.

References. Cite all references to work that are not yours using any standard reference format. Include a bibliography of sources.

After I find three major problems in your writing, e.g., major grammatical errors, convoluted, awkward and confusing sentences, general incoherence, I will stop editing your paper and you will lose at least a full grade on your pape. If problems persist, you may lose another grade.

Try help if you need it at the UMKC Writing Center.  Links to U of Richmond Writing   Wisconsin-Madison  KU Guides & Help Other excellent places to find help (Compiled by KU)

First drafts.  I will not edit your paper or read first drafts.

Plagiarism.  Plagiarized papers are failed papers and other penalties most likely will be be assessed. Google can find anything. I retain copies of previous  papers.