1. Writing a Research Paper
Chapter Twenty
Writing a Research Paper

2. MLA overview
System of documentation
Video Tutorial

3. 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.

4. 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).

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

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