Research and Writing: A Step-by-Step Process

1
Research and WritingA Step-by-Step Process

• An English/Reading Workshop for
• Troy University (Main Campus)
• Student Support Services participants

2
A Basic Approach

• Invention
• Collection (Researching)
• Organization (Outlining)
• Drafting
• Revising
• Proofreading

Slide Retrieved October 25, 2006, at
http//www.libarts.ucok.edu/english/comp/powerpoin
t/ResearchProcess.ppt258,3,BORING!!
3
The Soul of Research

• Collection (Researching)
• (Develop an Annotated Bibliography)
• Organization (Outlining)
• Drafting (Composing)

You return to this concept later in this
presentation.
4
Research Resources

• The Internet can be a great research resource.
• However, with the Internet, you risk collecting
  information that may not (yet) be validated.

Source OWL web site owl.english. purdue.edu
5
Finding Scholarly Journal Articles at Troy
University Online Library

• Go to http//troy.edu/
• Click Library. (left column of web page)
• Click Campus Libraries gt Troy Campus Library
• Click Online Database.
• Select a Subject area.
• (Ex Humanities Social Sciences etc.)
• Double click on a database.
• Type in your topic as prompted.

6
Other Research Resources

• Scholarly Journals (Journal Articles)
• Government-issued Reports / Publications
• Printed, edited documents, such as textbooks or
  manuals.
• Personal Interviews
• Lectures / Speeches
• CDs and other audiovisual resources

7
APA and MLA Format

• APA Format mainly for presenting social science
  research and research reviews
• MLA Format mainly for presenting research on
  English, literature, and language arts

8
APA and MLA . . .

• Two research format and documentation styles that
  college writers should know.
• Modern Language Association (MLA) style format
• American Psychological Association (APA) format.
  
• Information available at the online Troy
  University Writing Center web page

9
Avoiding Plagiarism

• Using the APA or MLA style can help you avoid
  plagiarism.
• Plagiarism is an offense with serious
  consequences.
• Failure of the assignment.
• Expulsion from school.

10
First, The APA Format . . .

• Title Page with Running Header
• Paper Abstract of 150 words of less
• Body of Essay with appropriate subject headings
• Reference Page

11
APA Style Requires . . .

• Reference Page List of all sources used in your
  paper
• Parenthetical Citations
• Includes the authors last name, year of
  publication, and page number (if you present a
  direct quote from your source).

12
APA Reference Citations

• Most reference page citations contain this basic
  information
• Authors last name, first and middle initial
• Publication Year
• Article title
• Title of work (italicize or underline)
• Title of Web Page
• City of Publication
• Publishing Company
• Retrieval Date
• Website address

13
A Sample APA Reference Page
Research Writing 15
References American Psychological Association.
(2001). Publication Manual of the American
Psychological Association (5th ed.). Washington,
DC Author. Beers, M. H., Berkow, R.
(1999). Mood disorders. In The Merck manual of
diagnosis and therapy (17th ed., sec. 15,
chap. 189). Retrieved January 17, 2003, from
http//www.merc.com/ pubs
Be sure to consult the latest edition of the
Publication Manual of the APA for instructions on
citing different types of sources.
14
Next, the MLA Format . . .

• Usually requires no title page.
• First page has at left margin . . .
• the paper authors full name instructors
  name course number and the date in military
  form.
• The title of the paper is centered on the
  first page.
• The paper has a running header flush at the
  right margin, which includes the paper authors
  last name and the page number inserted.
• The last page is the Works Cited page.

15
MLA Format

• Paper size -- 8.5 inches x 11 inches.
• Page margins -- (1) inch on all sides.
• Text -- double-spaced.
• Parenthetical citation follows any direct
  quotation and looks like this (Jones 55) --
  Authors last name and page number.
• Paragraph -- indent five (5) spaces from left
  margin.
• Block quotes -- indent five (5) to ten (10)
  spaces from left margin.

16
MLA Sample (Page 1)

• John Doe
• Dr. Smith
• English 1120
• 15 May 2006
• Kate Chopins Antagonized
• Protagonists in The Story of an Hour
• In one of her best known short stories, Kate
  Chopin
• presents Louise Mallard, a woman who feels both
  blessed and

Use one-inch margins. Double space text. Do not
put a header on page 1. Do not include a title
page.
17
MLA Sample (after page 1)
Use one-inch margins. Include a header flush
with right margin. Double space text.
Doe 1 After hearing of the news that
her husband is dead, Louise begins to behave
in an unexpected manner. She begins to rejoice
at a time when others in similar circumstances
might begin to grieve. She declares her self
to be free, (Chopin, 2) which to readers that
Louise previously felt . . .
18
MLA Sample (Works Cited page)
Doe 1 Works Cited Essay.
Websters II Dictionary. 3rd. ed.
2005. Hacker, Diane. A Pocket Style Manual.
4th ed. Boston Bedford/ St. Martins,
2004.
Indent five (5) spaces
Be sure to consult the latest edition of the MLA
Handbook for instructions on citing different
types of sources.
19
Remember The Soul of Research?

• Collection (Researching)
• Organization (Outlining)
• Drafting

See video, if available -- Avoiding the
Research Paper Blues, by Educational Video
Network.
20
Workshop Activity

• Please see Handout.
• Please complete and submit handout before leaving
  workshop.
• Please complete evaluation form and return to
  workshop instructor before you leave today.

21
Conclusion

• SSS hopes this presentation has given you some
  useful information.
• Feel free to suggest any other topics that you
  would like to see presented. Stop in the Office
  located in 24 Eldridge Hall or Phone
  334-670-5985.
• Have a great learning experience here at Troy
  University.