Homework Guidelines
Mathematics is a language, and as such it has standards of writing which 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.
1. Write your name clearly at the top right corner of the first page.
2. 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.
3. Attach your pages with a paper clip or staple.
4. Clearly indicate the number of the exercise you are doing.
5. Write out the problems (except in the case of word problems, which are too long).
6. Do your work in pencil, with mistakes cleanly erased, not crossed or scratched out.
7. Write legibly; if the grader can't read your answer, it's wrong.
8. Write neatly across the page, with each succeeding problem below the preceding one, not
off to the right.
9. Do "scratch work," but do it on scratch paper.
10. Show your work. Show everything in between the question and the answer.
11. Remember to put your final answer at the end of your work, and mark it clearly.
12. In general, write your homework as though you're trying to convince someone that you
know what you're talking about.
Your work is much easier to grade when you have made your work and reasoning clear, and
any difficulties you have in completing the assignment can be better explained by the grader.
More importantly, however, completely worked and corrected homework exercises make
excellent study guides for the Final. Also, if you develop good habits while working on the
homework, you will generally perform better on the tests. The intention on these "Homework
Guidelines" is that you and your instructor communicate better, and that you succeed both in
your present mathematics courses and in future mathematical communication with co-workers
and clients.
This is based on "Homework Guidelines" by Elizabeth Stapel.