Final Thoughts on the Research Paper

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Final Thoughts on the Research Paper

• Due one week from tomorrow!!!

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The Title Page
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The Outline

• The outline includes the header, which your last
  name and the page number
• The Header should not include any punctuation
• The outline is page 1
• The outline should follow the paper in order,
  therefore if you change something in your paper
  then you should change your outline

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Content Pages- Page 1

• The first content paper should include a MLA
  heading
• Your name
• My name
• Class
• 4 October 2006
• The title should be centered 12 pt, Times New
  Roman, no underlining, bolding, or italicizing!

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Content Pages- Background

• Make sure the background does not give too much
  information
• The information in the background should support
  your points, not paraphrase them
• Should not be less than ½ of a page or more than
  1 page

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Content Pages- 3 Main Points

• The order of the points should follow the outline
• Each point should begin with a topic sentence
  almost like a mini thesis
• The As and Bs of your outline should generally be
  paragraph on their own.
• Each paragraph should start with a topic sentence
  and end with a summation sentence

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Content Pages- 3 Main Points

• TRANSITION! TRANSITION! TRANSITION!
• Each paragraph should transition from the
  previous paragraph.
• The paragraph should also include transitions
  from one thought to the next

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Examples of Transitions

• further more
• specifically
• In as much
• as also
• undoubtedly
• so that
• indeed
• it is certain
• hence
• for this reason
• accordingly
• last or lastly
• under these conditions

• not long after
• instantly
• whenever
• at length
• at this instant
• while
• during
• subsequently
• in spite of
• of even greater appeal
• in contrast to
• otherwise

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Content Pages 3 Main Points

• While writing your points, keep in mind you are
  trying to prove your thesis statement.
• Therefore tie all research and conclusions back
  to your thesis statement.
• At the end of every point, the reader should
  understand why the point proves your thesis

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Conclusion

• 3-4 sentences
• Restate thesis
• Go back to the grabber used in your introduction
• Final thoughts

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Quotes

• If you use something word for word, it must have
  quotes around it
• The period goes after the citation
• You must always lead into or introduce your quote
• Dont ever start or end a paragraph with a quote.
  You always need an explanation to go with it.
• Example Historian John Smith contends, Pearl
  Harbor was unnecessary (Smith 47).

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Paraphrasing

• If you use a statistic, unknown familiar fact, or
  information and put it in your own words, you
  must cite the information.
• Punctuation goes after the citation
• Be sure not to change the meaning!
• Example Historian John Smith believes Pearl
  Harbor could have been easily avoided (Smith 47).

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Quoting and Paraphrasing

• Using research is not enough, you must present
  the research and draw conclusions from it.
• Therefore relate everything to your thesis!!!

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Works Cited Page

• Title Works Cited
• Everything is double spaced, 12 pt, Times New
  Roman
• Reverse indentation
• Alphabetical order by FIRST WORD!

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Citations

• In the citation
• (Authors last name )
• (Title of webpage)
• (Title of website)
• Whatever appears in the citation, is the first
  entry on the works cited page

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Example

• The history of exorcisms is vague and oftentimes
  unreliable (Smith).
• Smith, John.

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Rules to remember

• No 1st or 2nd person
• No contractions
• No slang
• If this is a history paper, then write in the
  past tense
• Try to use ACTIVE VOICE
• Do not use words like thing, get/got, very, stuff

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Rules to remember

• There vs. their
• To vs. too
• WWI and WWII
• Sexist language i.e. mankind vs. humankind
• Avoid very, much and some
• Sample http//www.chaffey.edu/writingctr/MLASampl
  e.doc