1 CREATING A RESEARCH PAPER (25 June 2010) Objectives: To create a Research Paper using MLA Documentation style

2 Introduction: MLA Documentation Style 1. Starting and Customizing Word 2. Displaying Formatting Marks 3. Changing the margins 4. Adjusting Line spacing 5. Using a Header to Number Pages 6. Headers and footers 7. Entering text using click and type 8. Entering a page number into the header

3 Typing the body of a research paper: 1. Applying formatting using shortcut keys 2. Saving the research paper 3. Indenting paragraphs 4. Using word’s autocorrect feature 5. Adding footnotes 6. Modifying a style 7. Using word count 8. Automatic page breaks

4 Typing: (continue) 9. Recounting words in a document 10. Creating an alphabetical works cited page 11. Manual page breaks 12. Centering the title of the works cited page 13. Creating a hanging indent 14. Inserting arrows, faces and other symbols automatically 15. Creating a hyperlink 16. Sorting paragraphs

5 Proofreading and revising the research paper: 1. Going to a specific location in a document 2. Moving text 3. Smart tags 4. Finding and replacing text 5. Finding text 6. Finding and inserting a synonym 7. Checking spelling and grammar at once

6 Proof reading: (continue) 8. Saving again and printing the document 9. Working with main and custom dictionaries 10. Navigating to a hyperlink 11. ing a copy of the research paper 12. using the research task pane

7 Project 1: The ever-increasing presence of computers in everyone’s lives has generated an awareness of the need to address computing requirements for those who have or may develop physical limitations. The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires any company with 15 or more employees to make reasonable attempts to accommodate the needs of physically challenged workers. Whether at work or at home, you may find it necessary to acquire devices that address physical limitations, using word’s research task pane, the school library, other text-books, magazines, the internet, friends and family, or other resources, research the types of input and/or output devices designed for physically challenged computer users. Then, prepare a brief research paper ( words) that discusses your findings. Include at least one explanatory note and two references, one of which must be a web site on the internet. Use the concepts and techniques you have learned to format the paper

8 Project 2: Computers process input (data) into output (information). A computer often holds data, information and instructions in storage for future use. Most computers today also can communicate with other computers. Computers perform input, output, storage, and communication operations with amazing speed, reliability, consistency and accuracy. Using Word’s Research task pane, the school library, other text-books, magazines, the internet, friends and family, or other resources, research one of the following computer operations; input, output, storage, or communications. Then, prepare a brief research paper ( words) that discusses how the computer operation works and/or the types of devices used for that activity. Include at least one explanatory note and two references, one of which must be a web site on the internet. Use the concepts and techniques you have learned to format the paper

9 Project 3: A programming language is a set of words, symbols, and codes that enables a programmer to communicate instructions to a computer: just as humans speak a variety of languages (English, Spanish, French, and so on), programmers use a variety of programming languages and program development tools to write computer programs. Using word’s research task pane, the school library, other textbooks, the internet, magazines, interviews with programmers, or other resources, research the types of programming languages or program development tools on the market today. Then, prepare a brief research paper ( words) that discusses one or more programming languages or program development tools. Include at least one explanatory note and two references, one of which must be a web site on the internet. Use the concepts and techniques you have learned to format the paper

10 Project 4: Working together PDAs are one of the more popular lightweight mobile devices in use today. A PDA (personal digital assistant) can provide a variety of personal management functions including calendar, appointment book, address book, calculator, and notepad, as well as access to the internet and telephone capabilities. Many different PDA are on the market. Research the features, price, and accessories of one type of PDA by looking through newspapers, magazines, searching the web, and/or visiting an electronics or computer store. Include at least one explanatory note and two references, one of which must be a web site on the internet. Use the concepts and techniques you have learned to format the paper.

11 Working Together? Form teams of two members each. Each team member is to write a minimum of 200 words summarizing his or her findings. Each team member also is to write at least one explanatory note and supply his or her reference for the works cited page.

12 Teams: Then, the team should meet as a group to compose a research paper that includes all team members’ write-ups. Start by copying and pasting the text into a single document and then write an introduction and conclusion as a group. Use the concepts and techniques you have learned to format the paper, according to the MLA documentation style.