COLLEGE PAPERBUDDY IS NOW AVAILABLE!

One of the best sections of a magazine is the Do/Don’t page. The trendy and timely elements are labeled “Do,” and the lame and dated elements are labeled “Don’t.” While these sections are often more for entertainment purposes, they can be informative with their quick blurbs and points. Since this style of presenting information can be helpful, I’ve decided to write a Do/Don’t-styled blog entry for today’s topic: Paper Formats and Designs.

The following bullet points in each of the two sections are meant to be quick tips and suggestions for how you can format your papers and create their overall design. Many of them are overarching points to consider when writing papers in college and beyond. (A few points might have been written solely for the purpose of entertainment.) Enjoy!

Don’t

• Print your papers on colored paper
• Misspell your instructors name on the title page
• Spray your paper with perfume or other scented products
• Place your paper in a binder or something that is inconvenient for an instructor to carry
• Adjust the margin width and font size to meet length requirements
• Cross out errors in pen and then hand in the marked up paper to your instructor
• Forget to include a references/bibliography/works cited page
• Use your personal e-mail address (especially if it is something like HotChick21@slackerstudents.com)
• Print your paper on the back sides of an old paper’s pages
• Use whiteout to make corrections
• Spill coffee or food on your paper before turning it in
• Write informally to your instructor when submitting a paper via e-mail (Dear Instructor is a tad better than What’s up, Prof.)

Do

• Print your paper on standard white paper
• Create a title page if it is appropriate
• Follow a style’s guidelines for headers, page numbers, and author name
• Start your references/bibliography/works cited lists on a new page
• Adjust the font style and size to reflect the style’s guidelines
• Staple pages rather than paperclip them
• Make sure there is black ink in your printer
• Include your name and the paper title in the paper’s electronic file name
• Use your school e-mail address if it must be included on the title page
• Proofread your title page for any spelling mistakes or incorrect information
• Use headings and subheadings to break up long sections of text
• Take the time to think of a creative title (and subtitle)