Guidelines for RESEARCH PAPER

1. Structure and Minimum Requirements:
2. At least 1,750 words of the MAIN BODY; double spaced (I will exclude counting the words in the COVER PAGE, BIBLIOGRAPHY, your name, class information, date, title, and any other information irrelevant to the MAIN BODY of your paper).
3. Double-spaced, “Times New Roman,” and “12-point font.”
4. For example, “Afterlife in the Qur’an.”
5. Cite at least 5 academic sources (books or academic articles).

–The Qur’an and our textbook will not be considered a source.

–Any information on the internet will not be considered a source, such as Wikipedia, blogs, forum discussions, comments, etc.

5. Whenever you quote from a source (books, articles, internet, etc.), use proper citations. Citations are required even when you are paraphrasing sentences/ideas from other sources. Otherwise, it is plagiarism and will be punished by a failing grade for the course and will be reported to the university for appropriate disciplinary action. As a general rule, whenever you are using somebody else’s opinions as if they are your own, it is plagiarism. When in doubt, use citations. There is nothing wrong with using as many citations as necessary.
6. It is preferred that you use the MLA style. However, you may use APA or Chicago formats too. Whichever style you choose, use it consistently for the entire paper (do not switch from one style to another).
7. Include a “bibliography” page at the end of your paper.
8. Make sure that you submit your paper on time either through canvas.
9. Content:
10. Your paper must include an introduction and conclusion.
11. Make sure that you clearly state your main thesis/argument in the introduction. In fact, you can start your paper as the following: “In this paper, I argue that….”

***An Argument is a sentence you can say “right” or “wrong” to. Consider the following examples:

–In this paper, I will describe (or analyze/talk about/write about/ touch upon/focus/delineate) the historical development of Sufism. This is NOT AN ARGUMENT.

–In this paper, I argue that Sufism has appropriated many elements from outside sources during its historical development. This is AN ARGUMENT.

3. Structure your paper around your argument. Do not switch to irrelevant topics/points. Your whole paper must be a coherent whole in itself.
4. Make sure to use paragraphs appropriately. Avoid using too short or too long paragraphs. For every new idea, start a new paragraph and make sure that your paragraph presents a coherent structure in itself.
5. Research paper is not a book report. You are using the 5 sources to substantiate your argument, not to summarize each source one after another.
6. Include as much critical analyses/comments/insights as possible. Your analyses, comments, insights must be no less than 300 words, at least.
7. When you are writing about a topic where there are multiple opinions/interpretation/conclusions, try to include minimum of these multiple approaches in your paper. For example, if you are writing about “Religious Justification of Veiling in Islam,” try to include the opinions/reasons of those who argue that veiling is “religiously required” and those who argue that it is not. Then, you can present your own argument with sufficient reasons, sources, and analyses. Ignoring different approaches is BAD SCHOLARSHIP.
8. Grammar
   1. Pay attention to grammar, spelling, and punctuation. If possible, before submitting your paper, have a native speaker read it.
   2. Never use an author’s first name only unless s/he is your friend.
   3. Please pay attention to the following common mistakes:

–Difference between: they/they’re

–Difference between: its/it’s; his/he’s

–Difference between: lead/led

–Difference between: one’s/ones

–Difference between man/men; woman/women

–Difference between ‘’/’

–Difference between ‘/ ’

–Differences among Islam/Muslim/Islamic

3. Be extra careful especially when using technical terms, names, and words from other languages. For example, do not make the following common mistakes:

–Quran (wrong), Qur’an (correct)

–Alfarabi, AlFarabi (wrong), Al-Farabi (correct)

–Mutezilite, Mu’tezilite (wrong); Mu‘tezilite (correct)

1. Grading:
   1. No title: -15 points
   2. Less than 1,750 words: Every -50 words will cause -10 points. For example, I will take 10 points off if your paper is 1,700 words only, and 20 points off if it is 1,650 words only, and so on.
   3. Quality of Content:

—Good: Paper is structured successfully, there is introduction/ development/ conclusion, paragraphs are used appropriately, argument of the paper is developed and defended clearly and successfully, and there is at least 300 words satisfactory critical analysis.

—Moderate: Paper’s structure is disorderly, or there is no clear introduction/development/conclusion, or paragraphs are used inappropriately, or argument of the paper is loosely developed and defended, or there is less than 300 words satisfactory critical analysis: -40 points.

—Poor: There is no structure in the paper and there is no clear introduction/development/conclusion, or there is no argument in the paper and no relevancy between paragraphs (author is jumping from one topic to another), or critical analysis is unsatisfactory or there is no critical analysis: -80 points.

4. Missing Sources:

–Only 4 sources are used: -20 points

–Only 3 sources are used: -40 points

–Only 2 sources are used: -80 points

–Only 1 source is used: -150 points

5. Grammar:

–Each grammar, spelling, or punctuation mistake: -2 points

–Each citation mistake: -4 points

–Maximum points taken off because of grammar: -40 points

6. Submission and Deadline:

–Each day your paper is late: -20 points

— 5 days after the deadline, your paper will not be accepted at all.