Research Writing and APA Formatting

Paper Layout Title Page Title, Course, Name, Date Introduction Provides reader with a background on the topic Thesis clearly stated Body Paragraphs clearly present a premise (Answer, Example, Explain) Conclusion Restatement and reinforcement

Introduction Introduces the reader to what the paper will be about. But….. don’t give away too much information. Just a snippet. Create a hook. Provide background if necessary Hook (make the reader curious) Sometimes in the form of a question Use a strong quote Compare/ contrast premise Use a theme **** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rl3O6DMsJgI

Thesis Statement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOtyo028nAE

Body Paragraph WE “CONSTRUCT” PARAGRAPHS Topic Sentence Should support or aid in answering the research question 2. Support (Evidence) Provide evidence or research to support T.S (Citation Required) The writer is responsible for using research to support their claims. 3. Explanation of Support (Analysis) The connection between T.S and Research is the writer's responsibility (Use your own words) Explain how the evidence connects to the topic sentence 4. Close paragraph with a clincher sentence Resolves whatever questions or claims previously put forth.

Paragraph Explanation of Support Ways to connect evidence (research) to topic sentence. Another way to say this is ... What this means is ... This shows that... The reason for this is that… This is important because... In other words….

Paragraph Each paragraph should have Reference to the book (serve as an example that is drawn from the play) Ex. Character’s line, direct quote from the play 2. Outside research that connects (explain) example to the Topic Sentence. 3. Writer then makes sense of how the research supports the topic sentence (writer’s own words).

How many paragraphs do you need? It depends on the Thesis. Use as many paragraphs as it takes to adequately support the Thesis. Avoid “too much”. Do not water down your research paper by stretching out your paper. IT’S NOT LENGTH, IT’S QUALITY If it takes 5 paragraphs, then that’s your choice.

Plagarism Using someone else’s ideas as your own. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmab92ghG0M https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNg94ebLGzY

Referencing Research Paraphrasing Quotations Paraphrasing involves putting a passage from source material into your own words. A paraphrase must also be attributed to the original source. Paraphrased material is usually shorter than the original passage, taking a somewhat broader segment of the source and condensing it slightly. Quotations Quotations must be identical to the original, using a narrow segment of the source. They must match the source document word for word and must be attributed to the original author. (OWL, 2016)

Referencing Research (OWL, 2016) Quotations, paraphrases, and summaries serve many purposes. You might use them to: Provide support for claims or add credibility to your writing Refer to work that leads up to the work you are now doing Give examples of several points of view on a subject Call attention to a position that you wish to agree or disagree with Highlight a particularly striking phrase, sentence, or passage by quoting the original Distance yourself from the original by quoting it in order to cue readers that the words are not your own Expand the breadth or depth of your writing (OWL, 2016)

In-text Citation Paraphrasing Direct quote from research: “Japan’s beautiful Mount Fuji last erupted in 1707 and is now classified as dormant. Dormant volcanoes show no signs of activity, but they may erupt in the future.” Non-plagiarized paraphrase: Mount Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan, is actually a dormant volcano. Dormant means that it is not active. The last time Mount Fuji erupted was in 1707, and there is always the possibility of a future eruption (AUTHOR’S LAST NAME, YEAR).

In-text Citations Direct Quote “Three weeks after Katrina, warnings of the arrival of Hurricane Rita sent residents of cities such as Houston, Texas, rushing to evacuate, fearing for their lives. Fortunately, Hurricane Rita turned out to be much less severe than Katrina. However, mass evacuations like this bring hazards of their own, as panicking drivers may cause accidents on the jammed roads” (AUTHOR’S LAST NAME, YEAR, P. #). Key Points: Use quotation marks around the exact words used “QUOTATION” Use a bracket and input the author’s last name, date of publication and page number the quote came from. “(LAST NAME, YEAR, P. #) Multiple Authors- go to the reference on my website.

APA Reference List At the end of your paper, you should include all references used in your research paper. They should be completed using proper APA formatting, see my web site.

Summary Your research paper should include Introduction Body Conclusion References