Paper Numbering: Start page numbering number 2 with the second page of the BODY of the paper.
1. Title Page: This should contain the title of your paper, centered on the page. Pay attention to the title you choose -- It should capture the reader's interest as well as convey clearly general topic and distinctive approach of the paper. Put your your name, the number and title of this course, and the date.
2.
Abstract Page: An abstract is a one-paragraph overview
of the paper. It will elaborate on the title. In it you should
tell the reader what you will do in the paper. Your goal in the
abstract is to let the reader know what he will be reading if he
continues on to read the paper. (It is quite formal and should
not contain any touchy-feely things like "I hope the reader
liked this paper as much as I liked writing it.)
The word Abstract should be centered at the top of the page followed by the single-spaced abstract paragraph. The body of the paper should begin on page three (which is page one for the purpose of numbering the pages.)
3.
The Content of the Body of the Paper
a) Introduction. Start with a strong, clear,
precise introduction. It should not depend on the content of the
abstract (i.e. write the introduction as if the abstract did not
exist). Identify your subject and give enough material so the the
reader understand the direction of the paper as a whole. It
should summarize the contents of the paper, giving references to what
each section contains. It should serve as a Table of Contents in
narrative form.
b) Body of the Paper. The paper should be divided into numbered sections (starting with the introduction). The sections should be appropriately chosen and sequentially ordered in a way that makes sense for your paper -- giving a coherent development of your topic, according to the strategy that you have chosen. Strive for having sections of somewhat the same length. Title each section with its number and title, centered. Example:
Do not start a new page for each section. Number tables, figures, and equations consistently, and with sections numbers used as part of the numbering scheme. Follow suggested writing styles in the Guidelines for Writing Mathematics. The Math Paper guide at MIT gives very good advice about content for the body of a mathematical paper. Follow its advice!
c) Summary or Conclusion. If appropriate for the flow of your paper, provide a section for a conclusion or summary. However, you do not need one in if you feel that it will detract from the overall flow of your paper.
4.
Bibliography Page
The last page should contain your bibliography. The heading Works
Cited should be centered at the top of the page. The
entries should be in alphabetical order according the last name of the
primary author. The MLA form form is acceptable.