Essay writing for Music Appreciation

Essay writing for Music Appreciation

Use the MLA format for writing your paper. Use a 12 point size font. Use a common font such as Times New Roman, Courier, or Arial.

Here is a link to review MLA format information:

ions_the_basics.html – use this link for information on citing your sources

This is not an English grammar class, but poor and/or careless writing makes it difficult to read your work. You can expect to receive a lower grade if you persist in displaying poor writing skills. I apologize in advance if you already have mastered these writing skills, but I see many problems on a regular basis. I would rather point them out in advance and save everyone some grief later on.[unique_solution]

Students are encouraged to utilize Net Tutor, which available from a link on the right side of the Brightspace (D2L) home page when you first login. There is a link there which allows you to upload documents for review by Net Tutor personnel and advise of any corrections that can be made to your paper before you submit it for a grade in Brightspace (D2L). Go to your Brightspace (D2L) home page, scroll down the right side and click on the link for UPLOADING A PAPER for a video on using this valuable tool.

The following items should be adhered to:

Try to use your own words as much as possible. This is difficult because you may not be that familiar with the subject, but I would rather see signs of someone trying to synthesize the material, and “make it their own”, rather than just regurgitating what they read in a book, or online.

Use many sources. Don’t limit yourself to just one or two. The textbook and the accompanying web site are very good, but you need to know there are many other sources from which to draw.

Use an Introductory paragraph to establish your topic and then at the end, use a concluding paragraph to give your overall impression/feelings about the topic, or a summary of the material. Don’t just leave the end of the paper “hanging” by ending with a purely factual sentence and no overall summary. This usually indicates that you just “copied and pasted” and didn’t put much thought into how you were going to structure the topic.

Use complete Sentences and proper punctuation to prevent “run on” sentences (multiple phrases without punctuation).

Use proper subject and verb tense agreement, i.e. don’t use a plural subject and a singular verb, or vice versa. For example, note the following sentence:

The instruments was loud.

It should be – The instruments were loud – plural noun and plural verb.

Use a spell checker, but know that spell checkers can change the actual word. You still have to proofread and make sure that the correct word is still there.

If you are not very familiar with composer’s names and musical terms, be especially careful to check them with other sources. A standard spell checker is probably not going to help and could even distort what you originally intended.

Separate the various ideas of your essay by using paragraphs. Don’t just have one long paragraph. That is like listening to someone speak in a monotone voice for an extended period of time.

Don’t use unusual or oversized fonts which may not translate well to another person’s software program.
Proofread! Proofread! Proofread and then have someone else proofread it for you!
If the instructions call for a certain length of paper, then adhere to that.
Use quotation marks around phrases and sentences when you actually copy them form another source.

Don’t copy something directly without using quotation marks and noting the source.