Use writing models to demonstrate the type of paper you are expecting. You can draw upon papers from previous years, but be sure to keep authors anonymous. Consider asking students to work in pairs or groups and assign the paper a grade based on the rubric you will use for their own papers. Then, reveal the grade given and the justification for the grade. This is an excellent way for students to learn to critically analyze a piece of writing, including their own. For an excellent example of annotated writing models, check out the www.glencoe.com/sec/writerschoice/parentsite/index_awm.html Glencoe Writer's Choice.