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Guide to Writing your Paper (AFAM/WGSS – 3141)
Scope of the Final Paper
Each student is required to adopt a country from a list of selected countries in Africa to write the final paper. The written assignment will be an 8-page paper, including the bibliography, which should include analysis of major themes, issues, and problems affecting women in the adopted country. The analysis will draw on key issues and themes addressed by the course. The paper will also include student’s personal reaction to issues analyzed. In this written assignment you will be expected to also pursue sources beyond those in the course syllabus. All students must submit one paragraph for the written assignment describing their paper topic and a list of five (5) sources in class or via email: [email protected] on Thursday, October 26, 2023. The paragraph must include a title.
Parts of a Paper/Essay
Your paper/essay must consist of three parts:
Introduction
An introduction includes a statement of your thesis or argument, and generally consist the first paragraph of your paper. An introduction is important because it provides a general background of the themes or issues that will be covered in the main body of the paper. It will also provide the reader a comprehensive idea about the paper.
The Main Body
The main body of your paper consists of an elaboration or explanation of your thesis statement. It will incorporate and analyze the relevant data and/or historical examples provided in the readings and/or literature you reviewed or consulted.
Conclusion
The conclusion is usually the final paragraph summarizing the main points of your argument analyzed in the main body of the paper, and should also include your personal reflection on the issues under analysis.
Bibliography or Work Cited Page
Your paper must include a bibliography page, listing all the readings you consulted in the process of writing your paper. Refer to course syllabus, page 2 for required bibliography format.
In-text citation format
Refer to the course syllabus, page 2 for required in-text citation format. Footnotes and/or endnotes are not allowed.
Online Sources
DO NOT use online sources that do not have specific author, date of publication, and clear page numbering. Such sources are usually difficult to cite, especially “in-text citation.”
Online scholarly journals which can be accessed through Fordham University’s library catalogue are strongly recommended.
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Title Page: NOT required
Long Quotations: must be in single line spacing.
Changing a Paper’s Topic: any student who plans to change a paper’s topic must submit one paragraph description of the new topic and a list of five (5) sources for approval.
Request for an Extension: I DO NOT grant an extension for a final paper submission, unless there is a documented reason (Doctor’s note or a note from your Class Dean) for the student’s inability to complete and submit the final paper on the due date.
DO NOT write a paper on the following topics
1. HIV/AIDS in Africa and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
2. Civil War/Genocide in Africa
3. Infant/mother maternity and mortality issues
4. An individual woman
5. Any other topic not covered in the course.
About the Paper
Title: a paper must have a title
Font Size: font size must be 12 (standard font)
Line Spacing: double space
Number of Pages: 8 including bibliography page.
No paper should exceed 8 pages (including the bibliography page) – The 8 pages’ rule is strictly enforced.
The paper must have page numbering.
Avoid generalization: given the diversity of women within the continent, and/or individual countries students must avoid generalization.
DO NOT use footnotes or endnotes.
I DO NOT review/read the draft of the final paper.
