YOUR RESEARCH PAPER

Thesis Question and Statement Research Question: Should states regulate the use of cell phones in moving vehicles? Thesis Statement: States should regulate use of cell phones on the road because many drivers are using the phones irresponsibly and causing accidents.

Now It Is Your Turn Use the space to the right to answer the following: What is your Thesis Question? What question do you want to answer? What is your Thesis Statement? Remember, subject + opinion = thesis

Introducing your paper The introduction paragraph allows the reader to become acquainted with your subject. The introduction paragraph includes your thesis statement (either the first sentence or the last.) Remember, if your thesis is new and innovative, then the reader will be encountering this idea for the first time and will need as much information as possible about your subject.

An Example Introduction: At one point in the early twentieth century, it seemed that the American buffalo, Bison bison, would continue to exist only in pictures or on the buffalo nickel. Its population of one hundred million around 1700 had been reduced to one thousand by 1889. Today, that number has increased to nearly two hundred thousand (Hodgson 71). The buffalo, once endangered, has returned.

Five Ws and an H Research questions you must answer to help you write your research paper: Who? How? When? What? Why? Where?

Using MLA Format In Your Research Paper

Why we require MLA style: Proper citation of sources in MLA style can help you avoid plagiarism, which is a serious offense. Using a consistent format helps your reader understand the arguments and the sources they’re built on. It also helps you, the writer, keep track of your sources.

Two Parts of the MLA Style: Works Cited Page Parenthetical Citations

Works Cited Page A list of every source you make reference to in the research paper. Provides the info necessary for a reader to locate and retrieve any sources you cite. Each source cited in the essay must appear on the works cited page, and each source on the works cited page must have a citation in the paper.

A Sample Works Cited Page Notice: Double spacing throughout! Works Cited Dickens, Charles. Bleak House. 1852-1853. New York: Penguin, 1985. Miller, J. Hills. Charles Dickens: The World of His Novels. Bloomington: University of Indiana Purdue, 1958. Zwerding, Alex. “Esther Summerson Rehabilitated.” PMLA 99 (May 1973): 429-439.

A Sample Works Cited Page Notice: Works Cited title at the top Works Cited Dickens, Charles. Bleak House. 1852-1853. New York: Penguin, 1985. Miller, J. Hills. Charles Dickens: The World of His Novels. Bloomington: University of Indiana Purdue, 1958. Zwerding, Alex. “Esther Summerson Rehabilitated.” PMLA 99 (May 1973): 429-439.

A Sample Works Cited Page Notice: Indentations on the left no space first line of entry Works Cited Dickens, Charles. Bleak House. 1852-1853. New York: Penguin, 1985. Miller, J. Hills. Charles Dickens: The World of His Novels. Bloomington: University of Indiana Purdue, 1958. Zwerding, Alex. “Esther Summerson Rehabilitated.” PMLA 99 (May 1973): 429-439. 10 spaces for lines following

When Should You Use Parenthetical Citations?

(the author’s name MUST appear in the citation) 1. When quoting any words verbatim: (the author’s name MUST appear in the citation) examples: Wordsworth stated that Romantic poetry was marked by a “spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings” (263). OR Romantic poetry was marked by a “spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings” (Wordsworth 263).

2. When summarizing facts and ideas from a source: this means to take ideas from a large passage or another source and condense them, using your own words.

3. When paraphrasing a source: this means to use the ideas from another source but change the words into your own words.

How to Use Parenthetical Citations At the end of the quote, summarization or paraphrase, insert: step 1 - first parenthesis example: …of powerful feelings” (

How to Use Parenthetical Citations At the end of the quote, summarization or paraphrase, insert: step 2 - first word(s) of works cited entry example: …of powerful feelings” (Wordsworth

How to Use Parenthetical Citations At the end of the quote, summarization or paraphrase, insert: step 3 - page number(s) of citation example: …of powerful feelings” (Wordsworth 263

How to Use Parenthetical Citations At the end of the quote, summarization or paraphrase, insert: step 4 - end parenthesis example: …of powerful feelings” (Wordsworth 263)

How to Use Parenthetical Citations At the end of the quote, summarization or paraphrase, insert: step 5 - a period example: …of powerful feelings” (Wordsworth 263).

How to Use Parenthetical Citations NOTICE: 1. The period always goes after the citation—NEVER before. 2. There is NEVER any punctuation between the word and the page number. 3. NEVER include the period or comma at sentence end, although you MUST include a question mark or exclamation mark ? …of powerful feelings ” (Wordsworth 263). !

What words do you put in Parenthetical Citations? Works Cited Dickens, Charles. Bleak House. 1852-1853. New York: Penguin, 1985. Just use the very first word of the Works Cited entry: …the words of your quote” (Dickens 123).

What words do you put in Parenthetical Citations? Works Cited Smith, Carol and Jones, Martha. Funny Things. New York: Zondervan, 1995. When there is more than one author, use the last name for each person: …words of your quote” (Smith and Jones 24).

What words do you put in the Parenthetical Citations? Works Cited “California’s Cigarette Tax Deters Smokers.” Newsweek 125 (June 2000): 67-68. When there is no author, use just the first word of the title in quotes: …the words of your quote” (“California” 67).

Researching your topic

Researching the Internet Use search engines to your advantage. Identify the website. Examine for credibility. Determine depth and scope of information. Assess date of information.

Answer these questions about the web site before using it: Who is the creator of the website? What is the purpose of the site? Who is the audience of the site? Can you purchase products at this site? Is the site affiliated with a business or university? Does the site offer eccentric information about a particular person or group?

Example of a Title Page

Science Fiction / Fantasy / English IV / A3 or B2 by John A. Student Mr. Brady Science Fiction / Fantasy / English IV / A3 or B2 10 March 2012 The Hazards of Television on Society

The Senior Project: Synthesizing the K-12 Education How to make an outline: The Senior Project: Synthesizing the K-12 Education Thesis Statement: The Senior Project is valuable to students because it is based upon an area of interest to the student, incorporates a variety of academic disciplines, and uses skills necessary in the workplace. Introduction The Senior Project is an opportunity for students to more fully study an area of interest not covered in the regular curriculum. Emphasis in one of three areas Personal growth Career exploration Altruism Allows for in-depth study of a specific topic The Senior Project encourages study across the curriculum. Four separate components Research paper Project Portfolio Presentation

The Senior Project: Synthesizing the K-12 Education (continued…) How to make an outline: The Senior Project: Synthesizing the K-12 Education (continued…) B. Interdisciplinary skills within each component Project may use both math and writing Speech may use speech techniques and visual aids The Senior Project emphasizes skills valued in the workplace. Time management Creating schedules Meeting deadlines Interpersonal skills Choosing and working with a mentor Interviewing skills Conclusion

Here’s how your outline should look The Senior Project: Synthesizing the K-12 Education Thesis Statement: The Senior Project is valuable to students because it is based upon an area of interest to the student, incorporates a variety of academic disciplines, and uses skills necessary in the workplace. Introduction The Senior Project is an opportunity for students to more fully study an area of interest not covered in the regular curriculum. Emphasis in one of three areas Personal growth Career exploration Altruism Allows for in-depth study of a specific topic The Senior Project encourages study across the curriculum. Three separate components Research paper Project Presentation B. Interdisciplinary skills within each component Project may use both math and writing Speech may use speech techniques and visual aids The Senior Project emphasizes skills valued in the workplace. Time management Creating schedules Meeting deadlines Interpersonal skills Choosing and working with a mentor Interviewing skills Conclusion

Example of Page Layout

double spacing throughout 1” 1/2” Brady 2 1” margin all around sobering amount of situational and relational inconvenience envelopes the characters found in Albert Camus’ novella The Stranger in that a constant state of tension (Einstein quote) exists between each character’s interactions with one another. Albert Camus is attempting to portray a truth about the reality of the human condition, a reality few individuals would accept, and the tension filled relationships that overshadow humanity’s everyday existence. If Meursault had simply agreed with the Magistrate about believing in God, specifically Jesus Christ and his death on the cross, then he would likely have been released from jail. It is obvious the French had no particular fondness for the Arabs or the Moors. They are obviously foreigners to the French and, believing in a faith other than Christianity, are not of the same caliber aseveryone else. The only problem is that Mersault has not a care 1” 1” ½” margin to base of name & page in right top corner double spacing throughout indent 10 spaces or just ½” tab 1”