Paper I

CS 102

60 pts., due Feb. 16

Here's a list of potential topics:

1. Buying a computer: must-have features, ``nice'' features, questionable features. Compare and contrast two PC systems.
2. Analyze a software application; compare two examples of it.
3. Explore an ethical issue related to computing or networked communications. For example, term paper archives.
4. Explore an issue related to security or privacy in the electronic age. For example, electronic data gathering or the FBI's Carnivore system.
5. A study of the use of computing and communications in your discipline.
6. A study of future uses of computing and communications. In your discipline or in society in general.

Your paper will be graded using the following criteria:

1. Spelling and grammar. Since you now know how to use spell and grammar checks, the spelling and grammar in your paper should be flawless.

2. Appropriate formatting:
   1. 1 inch margins, all around. Doublespaced. The paper should be 4--5 pages in length. Indent the first line of each paragraph by 1/2 inch. The body of the text should be left- and right-justified.

   2. Centered title and author name. These should be in a font different from the body font and should be a larger point size. Don't use a separate title page.

   3. Page numbers in the footer and the paper title in the header (except on the first page)

3. Substantiation of position. I don't particularly care what position you take on an issue, but it must be substantiated through a valid supporting argument. I prefer to see papers in which a position is taken rather than papers which merely report facts.

4. Endnoted references on a separate page (you may include this page in your page count). You should cite at least three online references. See Evaluating and Citing Electronic Information
   (http://phoenix.goucher.edu/~kelliher/cs102/fall98/sep16.html) for the proper form for online citations. See

   below for instructions on setting up endnotes in MS Word and see endnotes.doc
   (http://phoenix.goucher.edu/~kelliher/s2001/cs102/endnotes.doc) for an example of how your references should look.

Endnotes in MS Word

Adding references (do this for each reference):

1. Position the insertion point at the point within the body of your paper where you want the reference mark to appear.

2. Open the Insert menu and select Footnote. The Footnote and Endnote dialog box opens. (The first time you do this ensure that Endnote is selected. Also, click the Options button and choose ``1, 2, 3...'' for the Number Format.) Enter the reference in the Endnotes window pane.

Setting-up the References heading on a separate page (do this once):

1. At the very end of the body of your paper, insert a page break. This will ensure that your References begin on a separate page.

2. Open the View menu and select Normal.

3. Open the View menu again and select Footnotes. The Endnotes window pane will open.

4. Open the Endnotes drop-down menu and select Separator. Replace the line of dashes with the word ``References.'' Set the point size to 16, underline the word, and center it.