Guidelines for Topic Papers
Topic papers focus on a single topic by bringing together several pieces of literature to more fully explore and
explicate the topic. The purpose of this assignment is to give students an opportunity to conduct an independent study
and examine the topic beyond the regular course assignments. Students should review the literature on the topic,
especially the most current literature, and then write a three-page paper that expands what is presented in class or is
found in the assigned textbooks. Peer-reviewed scholarly journals are considered a good source for the literature
review, especially journals published in the last five years.
The topic paper is not an essay or an opinion paper but might certainly examine differing positions and opinions of
scholars who have written on the topic. The paper should not exceed three pages in length. The first paragraph should
clearly state the topic that is examined and provide the reader with a general overview of the importance of the topic to
the course of study. A reference section is included at the end but is not included in the three pages of the paper.
Please use the "Publication Manual: of the American Psychological Association, (4th ed.)" for formatting your work.
The reference section should include the appropriate bibliographical citation for each book, journal, magazine,
interview, web site, or other reference used in the topic paper. The reference section only includes the literature you
cited in your paper not all of the literature you reviewed. Avoid using footnotes as much as possible. It is usually better
to include this information in the body of the paper. However, if you choose to use footnotes, place them on the page
where they are referenced not at the end of the paper.
Thank You
Dr. Charles H. Kime
References
Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (4th ed.). (1994). Washington, DC: American
Psychological Association.
