A Guide for Writing Research Papers

based onModern Language Association

(MLA) Documentation

Research Paper

A Brief IntroductionA Brief Introduction

A research paper presents the results of your investigations on a selected topic. Based on your own thoughts and the facts and ideas you have gathered from a variety of sources, a research paper is a creation that is uniquely yours. The experience of gathering, interpreting, and documenting information, developing and organizing ideas and conclusions, and communicating them clearly will prove to be an important and satisfying part of your education.

There are many approaches to research. The library has books which will help you, and most English composition textbooks contain chapters on research techniques and style. It is important to follow consistently and accurately a recommended format that is clear and concise and that has been approved by your teacher.

Writing Research Papers: A Step-by-Step Procedure

The Preliminaries

___ 1. Choose a topic___ 1. Choose a topic ___ 2. Begin preliminary reading___ 2. Begin preliminary reading ___ 3. Restrict the subject___ 3. Restrict the subject ___ 4. Develop a preliminary thesis ___ 4. Develop a preliminary thesis

statementstatement

Gathering Data ___ 1. Compile the working bibliography___ 1. Compile the working bibliography ___ 2. Prepare the bibliography on cards in correct form ___ 2. Prepare the bibliography on cards in correct form

(3" x 5" cards)(3" x 5" cards) ___ 3. Begin extensive work in the library reference room; ___ 3. Begin extensive work in the library reference room;

be sure to check:be sure to check: ___ a. general bibliographies ___ b. trade bibliographies___ a. general bibliographies ___ b. trade bibliographies ___ c. indexes (books and collections, literature in ___ c. indexes (books and collections, literature in

periodicals, newspaper indexes, pamphlet indexes)periodicals, newspaper indexes, pamphlet indexes) ___ d. library electronic catalogue___ d. library electronic catalogue

Taking Notes

___ 1. Develop a preliminary outline___ 1. Develop a preliminary outline ___ 2. Evaluate your source material; which ___ 2. Evaluate your source material; which

is primary material and which is secondary is primary material and which is secondary material?material?

___ 3. Begin note-taking on cards (4" x 6" ___ 3. Begin note-taking on cards (4" x 6" cards)cards)

___ 4. Avoid plagiarism___ 4. Avoid plagiarism

Writing the Paper ___ 1. Develop the final outline; test your outline___ 1. Develop the final outline; test your outline ___ 2. Prepare to write:___ 2. Prepare to write: ___ a. put your note cards in the order that your outline is in ___ ___ a. put your note cards in the order that your outline is in ___

b. consider your (real and imagined) readers and how their b. consider your (real and imagined) readers and how their expectations may affect your tone and styleexpectations may affect your tone and style

___ 3. Write the rough draft___ 3. Write the rough draft ___ 4. Check your documentation carefully___ 4. Check your documentation carefully ___ 5. Revise and rewrite___ 5. Revise and rewrite ___ 6. Check the format of the text, citations, notes, and ___ 6. Check the format of the text, citations, notes, and

bibliography (most instructors recommend bibliography (most instructors recommend MLAMLA or or APAAPA format) format) ___ 7. Proofread___ 7. Proofread

ContentsContents proceduresprocedures Statement onPlagiarismStatement onPlagiarism Developing a Thesis Developing a Thesis

StatementStatement GatheringMaterialsGatheringMaterials TakingNotesTakingNotes UsingOutlinesUsingOutlines

Working withQuotatioWorking withQuotationsns

Formattingthe PaperFormattingthe Paper Preparing aWorks-CitPreparing aWorks-Cit

edPageedPage More SuggestionsMore Suggestions

A Statement on Plagiarism

Using someone else's ideas or phrasing Using someone else's ideas or phrasing and representing those ideas or phrasing and representing those ideas or phrasing as our own, either on purpose or through as our own, either on purpose or through carelessness, is a serious offense known carelessness, is a serious offense known as plagiarism.as plagiarism.

Penalty for Plagiarism

In many schools and colleges, it could In many schools and colleges, it could involve failure for the paper and it could involve failure for the paper and it could mean failure for the entire course and even mean failure for the entire course and even expulsion from school. expulsion from school.

At the very least, however, students who At the very least, however, students who plagiarize have cheated themselves out of plagiarize have cheated themselves out of the experience of being responsible the experience of being responsible members of the academic community.members of the academic community.

Thesis and Thesis Statements

Everything you write should develop around a Everything you write should develop around a clear central clear central thesis.thesis. Your thesis is the backbone Your thesis is the backbone of your paper: the main point, the central idea. of your paper: the main point, the central idea. In fact, if you ask yourself -- "What is the main In fact, if you ask yourself -- "What is the main point of this paper?" -- your answer should point of this paper?" -- your answer should resemble your essay's resemble your essay's thesis statement.thesis statement. The thesis The thesis statement focuses your central ideas into one or statement focuses your central ideas into one or two sentences.two sentences.

Gathering Materials BooksBooks Essay or Article in a Collection or AnthologyEssay or Article in a Collection or Anthology Encyclopedia Encyclopedia Pamphlets, brochuresPamphlets, brochures Journals, Magazines, and NewspapersJournals, Magazines, and Newspapers Electronic, On-Line Resources, Electronic, On-Line Resources, CD-ROMCD-ROMArticle/DissertationArticle/Dissertation Reference BooksReference Books

Source AnalysisAnalysis of Simple Data

Developing Critical Thinking Critical Reading: Persuasion

Analytical Reading: Compare/Contrast Tools for Reading Critically

Electronic Note Taking: Content Grid Synthesis Workshop

Source Synthesis Exercise Summarizing Your Article

Article Analysis and Summary Comparing Sources

Analysis of Source Material Electronic Notes: Context Grid

1.      Two books written by Umberto Eco and two book reviews on his novels.2.      Two books about weapons and two related essays from magazines. (Time, Economist, Newsweek, and the like.)3.      Two books written by Harold Bloom and two articles from Economist.

4.      4.      Two books about Islam and two Two books about Islam and two related articles or essays from magazines. related articles or essays from magazines. ((TimeTime, , EconomistEconomist, , NewsweekNewsweek, and the like.), and the like.)5.      5.      Two books about black hole and two Two books about black hole and two related articles or essays from journals or related articles or essays from journals or periodicals. (periodicals. (ScienceScience, , NatureNature, and the like), and the like)6.      6.      Two books about earthquakes and two Two books about earthquakes and two related articles or essays from journals or related articles or essays from journals or periodicals. (periodicals. (ScienceScience, , NatureNature, and the like), and the like)

 7.Two books about virtual reality and two related articles or essays from journals or periodicals. (Science, Nature, and the like)8.      Two books about African over-population and two related articles or essays from magazines. (Time, Economist, Newsweek, and the like.)9.      Two books about anti-matter and two related articles or essays from journals or periodicals. (Science, Nature, and the like)

10.  Two books about basketball or culture and two related articles or essays from magazines. (Time, Economist, Newsweek, and the like.)11.  Two books about French history and two related articles or essays from magazines. (Time, Economist, Newsweek, and the like.)12.  Two books about Nobel Prize and two related articles or essays from magazines. (Time, Economist, Newsweek, and the like.)13.  Two books written by Mark Twain and two book reviews from magazines. (Time, Economist, Newsweek, and the like.) 

List the bibliographic data according to MLA style:

Taking Notes

Preparing and Using Outlines

MLA

Modern Language Association (MLA) Modern Language Association (MLA) format provides writers with a system for format provides writers with a system for cross-referencing their sources--from their cross-referencing their sources--from their parenthetical references to their works cited parenthetical references to their works cited page. This cross-referencing system allows page. This cross-referencing system allows readers to locate the publication information readers to locate the publication information of source material. This is of great value for of source material. This is of great value for researchers who may want to locate your researchers who may want to locate your sources for their own research projects.sources for their own research projects.

The proper use of MLA style also shows the credibility of writers; such writers show accountability to their source material. Most importantly, the use of MLA style can protect writers from accusations of plagiarism--the purposeful or accidental use of source material by other writers without giving appropriate credit.

Working With Quotations Quotations that constitute fewer than five lines in Quotations that constitute fewer than five lines in

your paper should be set off with quotation marks your paper should be set off with quotation marks [ “ ” ] and be incorporated within the normal flow [ “ ” ] and be incorporated within the normal flow of your text. of your text.

For material exceeding that length, omit the For material exceeding that length, omit the quotation marks and indent the quoted language quotation marks and indent the quoted language one inch from your left-hand margin. If an one inch from your left-hand margin. If an indented quotation is taken entirely from one indented quotation is taken entirely from one paragraph, the first line should be even with all paragraph, the first line should be even with all the other lines in that quotation.the other lines in that quotation.

Your Research Paper's Format

Paper:Paper: Margins:Margins: Spacing:Spacing: Heading and Title:Heading and Title: Page Numbers:Page Numbers:

Preparing a "Works Cited" Section

1.1. the name of the author or authors; the name of the author or authors; 2.2. title; title; 3.3. editor, translator, compiler, if any; editor, translator, compiler, if any; 4.4. edition, if it is not the first (i.e., 2nd ed., edition, if it is not the first (i.e., 2nd ed.,

rev. ed.); rev. ed.); 5.5. place and date of the book's publication; place and date of the book's publication;

and and 6.6. the name of the book's publisher. the name of the book's publisher.

Example

Mumford, Lewis. Mumford, Lewis. The Highway and the CityThe Highway and the City. . New York: Harcourt Brace and World, New York: Harcourt Brace and World, 1963.1963.

Pikarsky, M. Pikarsky, M. Urban Transportation Policy Urban Transportation Policy and Managementand Management. Boston: D.C. Heath, . Boston: D.C. Heath, 1976. 1976.

Write a separate listing for each article from a magazine or journal. Includethe name(s) of the author(s); the title of the article; the title of the periodical; the date of the issue in which the article appears; and the pages on which the article you are referring to appears.

Examples

Prin, Dinah. "Marriage in the '90s." Prin, Dinah. "Marriage in the '90s." New YorkNew York 2 2 June 1990: 40-45.June 1990: 40-45.

Schell, Orville. “China Syndrome: Have China’s Schell, Orville. “China Syndrome: Have China’s Leaders Lost the Gift for Bold, Creative Leaders Lost the Gift for Bold, Creative Thought?” Thought?” TimeTime 25 November 2002: 40. 25 November 2002: 40.

Cross-referencing:Using MLA Format

Allows readers to cross-reference Allows readers to cross-reference your sources easilyyour sources easily

Provides consistent format Provides consistent format within a disciplinewithin a discipline

Gives you credibility as a writerGives you credibility as a writer Protects yourself from Protects yourself from

plagiarismplagiarism

What are the differences among quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing?

These three ways of incorporating other These three ways of incorporating other writers' work into your own writing differ writers' work into your own writing differ according to the closeness of your writing according to the closeness of your writing to the source writing. to the source writing.

Paraphrase

ParaphrasingParaphrasing involves putting a passage involves putting a passage from source material into your own words. from source material into your own words. A paraphrase must also be attributed to the A paraphrase must also be attributed to the original source. original source.

The major issue of drug abuse among the The major issue of drug abuse among the teenagers did not call a public attention teenagers did not call a public attention until 1999 (Pinker 200).until 1999 (Pinker 200).

Summary SummarizingSummarizing involves putting the main involves putting the main

idea(s) into your own words, including only the idea(s) into your own words, including only the main point(s). Once again, it is necessary to main point(s). Once again, it is necessary to attribute summarized ideas to the original attribute summarized ideas to the original source. Summaries are significantly shorter source. Summaries are significantly shorter than the original and take a broad overview of than the original and take a broad overview of the source material. the source material.

In “How to Survive,” Peter Wang aims to In “How to Survive,” Peter Wang aims to demonstrate the importance of humorous but demonstrate the importance of humorous but positive attitudes towards the most dangerous positive attitudes towards the most dangerous situations in our life (13-55).situations in our life (13-55).

Quotations

QuotationsQuotations must be identical to the original, using must be identical to the original, using a narrow segment of the source. They must match a narrow segment of the source. They must match the source document word for word and must be the source document word for word and must be attributed to the original author. attributed to the original author.

Shorter and longer citations:Shorter and longer citations:

Author’s last name and page number(s) of quote must appear in the text

Romantic poetry is characterized by the Romantic poetry is characterized by the “spontaneous overflow of powerful “spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings” (Wordsworth 263).feelings” (Wordsworth 263).

Wordsworth stated that Romantic poetry Wordsworth stated that Romantic poetry was marked by a “spontaneous overflow was marked by a “spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings” (263).of powerful feelings” (263).

If no known author. . .

If the source has no known author, then use If the source has no known author, then use an abbreviated version of the title:an abbreviated version of the title:

Full Title: “California Cigarette Tax Deters Full Title: “California Cigarette Tax Deters Smokers”Smokers”

““This indicates the danger of This indicates the danger of smoking”smoking” (“California” A14). (“California” A14).

David becomes identified and defined by James Steerforth, a young man David becomes identified and defined by James Steerforth, a young man withwith whom David is acquainted from his days at Salem House. Before whom David is acquainted from his days at Salem House. Before meeting Steerforth, David accepts Steerforth’s name as an authoritative meeting Steerforth, David accepts Steerforth’s name as an authoritative power:power:

There was an old door in this playground, on which the boys had a There was an old door in this playground, on which the boys had a custom of carving their names. . . . In my dread of the end of the custom of carving their names. . . . In my dread of the end of the vacation and their coming back, I could not read a boy’s name, vacation and their coming back, I could not read a boy’s name, without inquiring in what tone and with what emphasis he would without inquiring in what tone and with what emphasis he would read, “Take care of him. He bites.” There was one boy—a certain read, “Take care of him. He bites.” There was one boy—a certain J. Steerforth—who cut his name very deep and very often, who I J. Steerforth—who cut his name very deep and very often, who I conceived, would read it in a rather strong voice, and afterwards conceived, would read it in a rather strong voice, and afterwards pull my hair. (Dickens 68)pull my hair. (Dickens 68)

For Steerforth, naming becomes an act of possession, as well as For Steerforth, naming becomes an act of possession, as well as exploitation. Steerforth names David for his fresh look and innocence, but exploitation. Steerforth names David for his fresh look and innocence, but also uses the name Daisy to exploit David's romantic tendencies (Dyson also uses the name Daisy to exploit David's romantic tendencies (Dyson 122). 122).

SOS!

There are many different combinations and There are many different combinations and variations within MLA citation format. variations within MLA citation format.

If you run into something unusual, look it If you run into something unusual, look it up! up!

Where Do I Find MLA Format?

MLA Handbook for Writers of MLA Handbook for Writers of Research PapersResearch Papers.. 5th ed. 5th ed.

Composition textbooksComposition textbooks www.mla.orgwww.mla.org

Improving Your Writing:  Some Practical Advice

1) 1) You can improve your writing--anyone You can improve your writing--anyone can--but it will require work and time. can--but it will require work and time. Even a small effort toward improvement Even a small effort toward improvement can have positive results. It’s up to youcan have positive results. It’s up to you

2) Care about your writing. Take it 2) Care about your writing. Take it seriously. Good writing is important.  seriously. Good writing is important. 

3) Most writing can stand some 3) Most writing can stand some improvement.improvement.

4) Read. Anything. Daily. The more familiar you are with a language, the more comfortable you are with it. Distinguishing between proper and improper word choice, grammar, and so on will become easier. 5) Improve your vocabulary. Learn a few new words every week, month, or year. A wide vocabulary gives you a better command of a language; bigger word menu provides you with more selection, more possibilities of expression when conveying ideas to others

6) 6) Practice writing. Write letters. Write Practice writing. Write letters. Write in a journal. Write whenever you can. in a journal. Write whenever you can. Write about anything. You'll become Write about anything. You'll become more comfortable with the act of more comfortable with the act of writing.writing.

7) Buy books about writing style, and 7) Buy books about writing style, and read them. Even a few pages every read them. Even a few pages every month can be helpful.month can be helpful.

8) Revise your writing. Revise. Revise. Why Revise?             A. Simplicity            B. Clarity            C. Readability