Standards for Written Work

Standards and Format for Written Work

Respecting the differences of each academic subject, the presentation of written work in the different classes may vary somewhat. If a teacher does not specify a special format for a written assignment, the following standard and format, based on MLA style, should be followed.

  1. Paper must be without torn edges, wrinkle-free, and standard white.
  2. Handwritten assignments must be neat, legible, and written in blue or black ink. Math should be completed in pencil at all times.
  3. A clear margin should be left on all four sides of the paper including the bottom. If handwritten, leave at least one full blank space at the bottom. If typed, a one-inch margin on all four sides is required.
  4. All final copies should be typed or written on one side of the paper only. School printers are not available for student use.
  5. If typed, the entire paper including titles should be double-spaced in 12 point font.
  6. Titles should be centered on the top line. They should not be underlined, put in quotation marks, or bold print unless they refer to a title of a book, poem or other published work.
  7. The first word of each paragraph should be indented five spaces.
  8. Your heading should be one inch from the top and flush with the left margin. Include your first and last name, the date, the class name, and the period. Teacher's name is also included on formal papers.
  9. Pages should be numbered in the upper right hand corner, one half inch from the top. Formal papers may also include your last name before each page number to identify your pages.
  10. If you consult a source or many sources when writing an essay or paper, you must give credit to the author(s) of that source by naming the author(s), the title of the work, and the page(s) on which the information was found. Follow MLA style of documentation for both internal citations and a works cited or bibliography page. If a single source was used for a short assignment, a separate works cited page is not necessary; simply list the correct bibliographical information on the bottom of the last page. Plagiarism will not be tolerated.

Note: It is recommended that students keep a backup copy of their work on their own flash drives.