1. Progress Inventory Examine your findings
Have I used the correct number of sources
Do I have enough information to make a paragraph
Have I stayed on topic (thesis statement)

2. SEE SAMPLE PROVIDED Outline Format The Final Outline Margins – 1 inch
Title – must be the same on outline and report (no punctuation marks are needed)
Title – centered
Page number – none
Spacing – Double
Format – available in Word
Compare note card to outline
Add to outline if new information exists
Delete topics from outline if no information was found
Reorder topics if necessary
SEE SAMPLE PROVIDED

3. Rough Draft Other names – pencil copy, first draft
No one writes a perfect paper on the first attempt
Note cards provide the content but can’t just be “strung together”
If handwriting your rough draft, skip lines for editing and revising

4. Steps to Writing a rough Draft
Order note cards
Match Each note card to the outline (I. A. 2) example in the upper right corner of card
I.A.2

5. Select an option Option 1 Option 2 Skip introduction and conclusion
Start with body paragraphs
Start with introduction to keep paper focused
Body next
Conclusion last

6. Things to Avoid in a Formal Paper
Contractions
1st Person Pronouns
Slang terms
abbreviations
2nd person pronouns
Acronyms
Curse words
Symbols instead of spelling

7. Checklist for writers Mechanics wording paragraphing Comma fault
Fragments
Run-on
Dangling participle
Subject/verb agreement
Pronoun/antecedent
Misplaced modifiers
Awkward phrasing
Choppy sentences
Repetitive word choice
Wordiness
Connotation problems
Incorrect word choice
Lack of unity
Lack of coherence
Lack of development
Lack of order
Illogical paragraph divisions

8. Checklist continued Development Use of sources parallelism
No statement of thesis
Insufficient development
No sensible organization
Digression
No transition/poor
Direct quotation w/o credit tag
Inappropriate tag
Improper source identification
Use of phrasing w/o acknowledgement
Failure to make sentences elements parallel
Failure to use who, which, and that correctly

9. What needs citing? NO Yes
Word/ideas presented in a magazine, book, newspaper, song, tv program, movie
Information gained through an interview or conversation
Someone’s exact words or unique phrase
Reprinted diagrams, charts, pictures
Reused or reposted electronic media
Writing your own observations, insights, thoughts
Writing up your own results obtained through an experiment
Using your own charts, photos, etc
Writing common knowledge, like folklore, legends, myths, etc.
When you use generally accepted facts
Common Knowledge – if you can find the same information undocumented in at least five credible sources, believe your reader will already know, or can easily find in a general reference work.

10. Revision Editing Have you supported your thesis?
Is your organization sound?
Do you have good transition?
Have you documented information?
Is the tone formal?
Does your paper flow?
Have you been precise and not wordy
Have you checked for
spelling?
capitalization?
tense shift?
Run-ons?
Fragments?
Pronoun agreement?
Comma usage?
Subject-Verb agreement
ETC

11. SEE SAMPLE PROVIDED The Final Copy Format Margins – 1 inch
Title – must be the same as outline (no punctuation marks
Title – centered
Pagination – Header (last name 1)
Spacing – Double
Presentation is everything
12 pt font (Arial or Times New Roman)
Heading – Name, Class, Teacher, Date
Follow all rules provided
SEE SAMPLE PROVIDED

12. The Bibliography page Bibliography Works Consulted Works cited
An alphabetical listing of all the sources that you used in your research paper.
We don’t use this title.
An alphabetical list of all the sources read and considered when researching (not necessarily used.
We don’t use this title.
An alphabetical listing of all the sources that you used in your research paper.
This is the title we use.

13. SEE SAMPLE PROVIDED Formatting Center “Works Cited” on page
Continue with pagination
Double-space
1 inch margins
Alphabetical order
Don’t duplicate authors, instead use 3 hyphens (look at sample)
SEE SAMPLE PROVIDED

14. Proofreading assembling
Have someone read your final copy before submitting it.
At times, if you read your own paper, you will overlook minor errors because you know what you are wanting to say.
You will be expected to turn in
Note cards
Bibliography cards
Rough draft w/ revisions and edits
Preliminary outlines
Final copy
Please follow teacher directions!
Be Prepared to turn in the second you walk through the door. No extra time will be given for assembly.

15. Samples on teacher web page
Outline/Thesis statement
Mla citation form
Final copy
Works cited