Why It Matters

Mathematics is a language, and as such it has standards of writing that should be observed. In a writing class, one must respect the rules of grammar and punctuation, one must write in organized paragraphs built with complete sentences, and the final draft must be a neat paper with a title. Similarly, there are certain standards for mathematics assignments.

What To Do, Part 1: Make It Look Good

• Write your name and the assignment clearly at the top of at least the first page. If you are not stapling or paper-clipping the pages together, then put your name or initials on all the pages.

• Use standard-sized paper (8.5" x 11"), with no "fringe" running down the side as a result of the paper’s having been torn out of a spiral notebook.

• Attach your pages with a paper clip or staple. Do not fold, tear, spit on, or otherwise "dog-ear" the pages. It is better that the pages be handed in loose (with your name on each sheet) than that the corners be folded or shredded.

• Clearly indicate the number of the problem you are doing. If you accidentally do a problem out of order, or separate part of the problem from the rest, then include a note to your teacher, referring her to the missed problem or work. Write out the problems (except in the case of word problems, which are too long).

• Do your work in pencil, with mistakes cleanly erased, not crossed or scratched out. Write legibly (suitably large and suitably dark); if the teacher can't read your answer, it's wrong.

• Write neatly across the page, with each problem below the preceding one, not off to the right. Do not work in multiple columns down the page (like a newspaper); your page should contain only one column.

• Keep work within the margins. If you run out of room at the end of a problem, continue onto the next page; do not try to squeeze lines together at the bottom of the sheet. Do not lap over the margins on the left or right; do not wrap writing around the notebook holes. Do not squeeze the problems together, with one problem running into the next. Use sufficient space for each problem, with at least one blank line between one problem and the next.

• Do "scratch work," but do it off to the side; keep the main steps of your work in a line down the page.

What To Do, Part 2: Make Your Meaning Clear

• Show your work. This means showing your steps, not just copying the question from the assignment, and then the answer from the back of the book. Show everything in between the question and the answer.

• Use complete English sentences if the meaning of the mathematical sentences is not otherwise clear. For your work to be complete, you need to explain your reasoning and make your computations clear.

• Do not invent your own notation and abbreviations, and then expect the teacher to figure out what you meant. For instance, do not use "#" in your sentence if you mean "pounds" or "numbers".

• Do not abuse the “equals” sign. Do not use the "equals" sign ("=") to mean "indicates", "is", "leads to", "is related to", or anything else in a sentence; use actual words. The equals sign should be used only in equations, and only to mean "is equal to".

• Do not do magic. Plus/minus signs, "= 0", radicals, and denominators should not disappear in the middle of your calculations, only to mysteriously reappear at the end. Each step should be complete.

• If the problem is of the "Explain" or "Write in your own words" type, then copying the answer from the back of the book, or the definition from the chapter, is unacceptable. Write the answer in your words, not the text's.

• Remember to put your final answer at the end of your work, and mark it clearly by drawing a box around it. Label your answer appropriately; if the question asks for units, make sure to put appropriate units on the answer. If the question is a word problem, the answer should be in words.

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Based on "Homework Guidelines", http://www.purplemath.com/guidline.htm Copyright © 1990-2010 Elizabeth Stapel, Used By Permission