Writing a Research Paper Chapter Twenty Writing a Research Paper

MLA overview System of documentation Video Tutorial

Writing a Research Paper You must tell the reader the sources of the borrowed material in your paper. The documentation style used by the Modern Language Association is relatively simple and widely accepted.

In-Text Citations ALWAYS cite information that you got from an outside source, whether you are paraphrasing, summarizing, or directly quoting. Never let quotes stand alone. To achieve happiness in life, you should follow this advice: “Follow your bliss” (Campbell 87).

Works Cited page Include all sources you have documented in your essay. List all sources alphabetically. Format using a hanging indent. Campbell, Joseph. The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Bollingen Series 17. 2nd ed. Princeton: Princeton UP, 1968.

Writing a Research Paper Direct quotations must be reproduced faithfully: if you omit unnecessary words, supply an ellipse ([. . .]) in their place; if you supply a word or capitalize a letter to clarify meaning, you must indicate that you have done so using [brackets]. Otherwise, quotes must be written exactly as they appear in the original.

Writing a Research Paper In summaries, you condense original material by expressing it in your own words. Summaries may be written as lists, brief paragraphs, or both. In paraphrase, you also express the original material in your own words, but do not condense.

Writing a Research Paper Beware of Plagiarism! If you do not document specialized information or ideas that are not your own, you will be plagiarizing -- stealing, in other words! When in doubt, DOCUMENT.

Writing a Research Paper In an introduction, include a thesis statement expressing the purpose of your paper and indicating the plan of development that you will follow.

Writing a Research Paper As you move from your introduction into the main body and conclusion, strive for UNITY SUPPORT COHERENCE SENTENCE SKILLS