To type or not to type... You have an important decision to make: to type or write by hand? This may depend on your teacher - some will not accept handwritten papers at all, and most prefer typing because the papers are much easier to read and thus the ideas come through more clearly and quickly. Even if your teacher doesn't require it, type if you can. The guidelines below will help you with either option. If you do choose to write by hand, make sure your writing is easily readable. If it isn't your teacher may simply not be able to understand it. Your paper will do worse because your ideas won't come through (even if they're great!) If you do write your paper out print or write in script very, very clearly. Paper You did all the brainstorming, mapping, drafting and redrafting and now you need something to write the finished product on... a mistake students sometimes make is wanting to "prettify" their work. The ideas and development are the point of the paper - not the graphics. Do not use colored, patterned or textured papers - they will detract from your words or even make them hard to read. If handwriting: Use standard letter-sized (A4)lined refill paper. DO NOT hand in paper ripped out of notebooks unless they are the pre-perforated books intended for this use. Make sure any rough edges are trimmed, nothing looks ripped, and that you write on one side of the paper only (unless instructed other wise by your teacher). Writing in ink makes it especially hard to read a double-sided page (the ink soaks through). If typing: Use letter-sized (A4) blank paper. Never type on lined paper (it is too difficult to read and looks unprofessional). Type on one side of the paper only. Avoid very thin paper - go for standard quality (the type you'd find in a photocopier) or a heavier weight bond paper. Ink/print quality If handwriting: Write in blue or black ink. It is acceptable to use ballpoint or fountain pens. Do not write using finetip markers. Never write in pencil. Do not even think about writing in blood. If typing: If you are typing on a typewriter make sure you have a black ribbon that still has plenty of ink left in it. If using a computer, put your print quality to "best" when you go to the print option. Make sure your print cartridge has enough ink left or have a spare cartridge before you undertake printing out. More than one essay has been late and graded down because "My cartridge ran out!"