diff --git a/makefile-templates/Makefile.misc b/makefile-templates/Makefile.misc
index 541dd6a..443da34 100644
--- a/makefile-templates/Makefile.misc
+++ b/makefile-templates/Makefile.misc
@@ -71,11 +71,16 @@
 
 ################################################################################
 #
-# Specify the current subject code and paper number.
+# Specify the main paper parameters. These may be specified in a separate include
+# file if desired (just uncomment the include line below and insert the appropriate
+# path; no need to comment the variables).
 # THESE MUST BE DEFINED!
 #
+# include path/to/variables/makefile
 SUBJECT_CODE?=$(error The required variable SUBJECT_CODE has not been defined. Please set it to the correct value for this paper)
 PAPER_NUMBER?=$(error The required variable PAPER_NUMBER has not been defined. Please set it to the correct value for this paper)
+PAPER_YEAR?=$(error The required variable PAPER_YEAR has not been defined. Please set it to the correct value for this paper)
+PAPER_PERIOD?=$(error The required variable PAPER_PERIOD has not been defined. Please set it to the correct value for this paper)
 
 
 ################################################################################