Research PapersResearch Papers

Remember, when you write your Remember, when you write your research paper, you must document research paper, you must document everything that you borrow-not only everything that you borrow-not only direct quotations and paraphrases direct quotations and paraphrases but also information and ideas.but also information and ideas.

DO NOT present information as if it DO NOT present information as if it were your own creationwere your own creation

Modern Language Modern Language AssociationAssociation

From: Guajome Park AcademyFrom: Guajome Park Academy

““MLA style specifies guidelines for formatting MLA style specifies guidelines for formatting manuscripts and using English language in manuscripts and using English language in writing. MLA style also provides writers with writing. MLA style also provides writers with a system for referencing their sources a system for referencing their sources through parenthetical citation in their essays through parenthetical citation in their essays and Work Cited pages.”and Work Cited pages.”

Why use MLA? It builds credibility of author, Why use MLA? It builds credibility of author, shows accountability for source material, and shows accountability for source material, and protects against accusations of plagiarism.protects against accusations of plagiarism.

MLA DocumentationMLA Documentation(Modern Language (Modern Language

Association)Association) In MLA style, you acknowledge your sources by In MLA style, you acknowledge your sources by

keying brief parenthetical citations (in-text citations keying brief parenthetical citations (in-text citations or documentation) in your text to an alphabetical list or documentation) in your text to an alphabetical list of works that appears at the end of your paper (also of works that appears at the end of your paper (also known as a works cited). Citation immediately known as a works cited). Citation immediately follows a quotation from a source or a paraphrase of follows a quotation from a source or a paraphrase of a source’s ideas.a source’s ideas.

“…“…who lived in 6who lived in 6thth century bc” (Marcuse 197). century bc” (Marcuse 197). The citation “(Marcuse 197)” tells readers that the The citation “(Marcuse 197)” tells readers that the

information in the sentence was derived from page information in the sentence was derived from page 197 of a work by an author whose last name is 197 of a work by an author whose last name is Marcuse. If readers want more info. about this Marcuse. If readers want more info. about this source, they can turn to the works cited list, where source, they can turn to the works cited list, where they will find all of the info. pertaining to that source.they will find all of the info. pertaining to that source.

In-Text Citation ctd.In-Text Citation ctd.

Quote author’s last name: human Quote author’s last name: human beings have been described as beings have been described as “symbol-using animals” (Burke). If “symbol-using animals” (Burke). If there is a page number that you there is a page number that you found this source on (not the print found this source on (not the print out page), then put that after the last out page), then put that after the last name. i.e: …” (Burke 57).name. i.e: …” (Burke 57).

In-Text Citations ctd.In-Text Citations ctd.

If the author’s last name appears in the If the author’s last name appears in the sentence itself, the citation will have just the sentence itself, the citation will have just the page number-if there is no page number, cite a page number-if there is no page number, cite a brief version of the article title-if there is no brief version of the article title-if there is no article title cite the actual source or web page.article title cite the actual source or web page.

Example: Wordsworth states that Romantic Example: Wordsworth states that Romantic poetry was “marked by a spontaneous poetry was “marked by a spontaneous overflow of feelings” (26). Oroverflow of feelings” (26). Or

…” …” (“Romanticism”). Or …” (“Romanticism”). Or …” (americanpoetry.com).(americanpoetry.com).

Multiple authorsMultiple authors

Multiple authors are cited like a single author Multiple authors are cited like a single author citation; however, both names are included, citation; however, both names are included, and joined by the word “and”:and joined by the word “and”:

Example: …” (Cortez and Jones 56).Example: …” (Cortez and Jones 56). 3 authors: …” (Byron et al 56).-Always give 3 authors: …” (Byron et al 56).-Always give

the name of the the first author mentioned.the name of the the first author mentioned. Multiple authors should be cited by the order Multiple authors should be cited by the order

in which their names appear in/on the sourcein which their names appear in/on the source

WebsitesWebsites

Cite the writer’s last name first;Cite the writer’s last name first; If there is no author, cite the article If there is no author, cite the article

titletitle If there is no article title, just general If there is no article title, just general

information used, cite the web url.information used, cite the web url. Example: …” (James). Or …” Example: …” (James). Or …”

(“Basketball”). Or …” (“Basketball”). Or …” (www.espn.com).(www.espn.com).

In-text Citations ctd.In-text Citations ctd.

If there is no author, you should do an in-If there is no author, you should do an in-text citation of the first word of the title of text citation of the first word of the title of the article…(“Global…”). If there is no the article…(“Global…”). If there is no author or title-cite the website url: (author or title-cite the website url: (www.time.comwww.time.com). If there are page ). If there are page numbers from the numbers from the original original source, (not the source, (not the print-out pages) include those too.print-out pages) include those too.

If you introduce a writer as a part of your If you introduce a writer as a part of your lead-in to that piece of data-you do not lead-in to that piece of data-you do not have to cite the name again; however, have to cite the name again; however, give credit to the source it is coming from.give credit to the source it is coming from.

Introductory ParagraphIntroductory ParagraphGuidelines:Guidelines:

Strong, relevant attention getterStrong, relevant attention getterBackground: Explain why this topic is debated. Background: Explain why this topic is debated.

Bring in some background information to set Bring in some background information to set your reader with context.your reader with context.

Present both sides of the issue, including the Present both sides of the issue, including the opposition (briefly): some say, although, etc.opposition (briefly): some say, although, etc.

Thesis should be the last sentence of the Thesis should be the last sentence of the paragraph-it should contain the topic, paragraph-it should contain the topic, position and your points of reasoningposition and your points of reasoning

Must Haves Checklist:Must Haves Checklist:

4 different sources used and cited (minimum)4 different sources used and cited (minimum) 6 separate pieces of data/evidence (minimum)6 separate pieces of data/evidence (minimum) 2-3 pages minimum ( not including works 2-3 pages minimum ( not including works

cited), typed double spacedcited), typed double spaced Proper heading and headers-format is correctProper heading and headers-format is correct No contractionsNo contractions No first or second person pronouns (unless in a No first or second person pronouns (unless in a

quote)quote)

Must Haves Checklist Ctd.Must Haves Checklist Ctd.

Final typed draft with work cited pageFinal typed draft with work cited page Rough draft including editsRough draft including edits Any other drafts and editsAny other drafts and edits MemoMemo Research questionResearch question Rough thesisRough thesis Rough works cited pageRough works cited page Research/notes takenResearch/notes taken Evaluating sourcesEvaluating sources

Paper Formatting (see format Paper Formatting (see format guide for formal papers guide for formal papers

handout)handout) Font-times New RomanFont-times New Roman Text size-12Text size-12 Double Space entire paperDouble Space entire paper Margins- 1 inch on all sidesMargins- 1 inch on all sides 1st line of paragraphs indented one half inch (1 tab)1st line of paragraphs indented one half inch (1 tab) Proper heading in upper left hand corner of the pageProper heading in upper left hand corner of the page Header in the upper right hand corner that includes your Header in the upper right hand corner that includes your

last name, then a space with a page numberlast name, then a space with a page number Center title of the document-make sure the document Center title of the document-make sure the document

captures the essence of your paper and does not merely captures the essence of your paper and does not merely state the topic. With titles, DO NOT underline, put in all state the topic. With titles, DO NOT underline, put in all caps, bold, italics make bigger, put in quotation marks; caps, bold, italics make bigger, put in quotation marks; keep it simplekeep it simple

No separate title page unless the teacher wants itNo separate title page unless the teacher wants it Staple the pages together in the upper left corner.Staple the pages together in the upper left corner. Print on only one side of quality paper in BLACK ink.Print on only one side of quality paper in BLACK ink.