1. MLA Research Paper
The Breakdown

2. The Requirements 6 Pages MLA Style Thesis statement Outline
Work Cited page
5 sources
At least 5 quotes

3. 6 Pages
6 full pages
Font:Times New Roman
Size: 12
Margins:

4. MLA Style Title Citations Use the formal way of starting a paper.
You must give credit to ALL your sources. Follow rules of documentation. Have a complete Work Cited Page.

5. Thesis Statement
A thesis statement identifies the focus for your writing.
It is the “topic sentence” for your whole paper. It needs to be well defined and to the point. Pay close attention to this sentence. It is usually found in the first paragraph but is not necessarily the first sentence of your paper.

6. Outline
Before your 6 pages of writing attach an outline of the structure of your paper. The following is an example of an outline.
Author
Early years
Born
Education
20’s
War experience
Injuries.
Writings
Later years
Death

7. Work Cited Page
The work cited page is a listing of all the sources (books, newspapers, media) that you used in order to obtain your information.
There are rules on writing this page. Make sure to follow the format provided to you.
The purpose of this page is to give proper credit to those authors that you utilize to get your information.

8. 5 Sources
You will need a minimum of 5 sources for your research paper.
Acceptable sources.
Books
Newspapers and magazines
Biographies and autobiographies
Reputable sources on the internet. (if you have doubts on a source, please ask me.)
You may only use one:
Encyclopedia (This includes PC based encyclopedias)

9. 5 Quotes
There should be a minimum of five quotes in your paper. You will be required to submit those 5 quotes on note cards with their sources on the other side. You may use more than 5 quotes on your paper as long as they are properly cited.

10. Due Dates!
IMPORTANT!

11. Due dates This project will be due 4 weeks from next Monday.
October the 27th – Thesis Statement Due.
October the 31st - 5 note cards with quotes and documentation due.
November the 12th – Rough Draft Due
November the 18th – Final Paper Due

12. Where Do I Look For My Research?
For ART, ARCHITECTURE, AND MUSIC:
-Contemporary Artists, Dictionary of Arts, Encyclopedia of Popular Culture, Encyclopedia of World Art, Macmillan Encyclopedia of Architects, New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, New Oxford History of Music, Oxford Companion to Art.

13. History of the Topic
-- Cambridge Ancient History, Cambridge History of Africa, Dictionary of Middle Ages, Encyclopedia of African-American Culture, Culture and History, Encyclopedia of American Social History, Encyclopedia of the Renaissance, Encyclopedia of the United States in the 20th Century, Harvard Guide to American History, New Cambridge Modern History, Timetables of History.

14. Literature and Literary Works
--- American Writers, Contemporary Literary Criticism, Dictionary of Literary Biography, Encyclopedia of World Literature in the 20th century, International Encyclopedia of Linguistics, MLA International Biography, Oxford Companion to Classical Literature, Oxford Companion to English Literature, Oxford English Dictionary.

15. Discussion on Philosophy and Religion
Anchor Bible Dictionary
Dictionary of the History of the Ideas
Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Encyclopedia of Religion

16. Women’s Studies
Notable American Women
Women’s Studies Encyclopedia

17. Paper MUST Focus On--- LIFE of the author Focus in on the author’s
Education
Family Life
What Influenced the author to write this piece of literature.
What assumptions can be made about the author’s message based on his/her beliefs?
Relation to work and to his/her life and how it effects them?

18. Works Other related works
Works that contradict this piece of literature
Works that support the message in this piece of literature

19. TIME PERIOD Society Culture Morals Beliefs Influences
Renaissance, Enlightenment, Romantic Age, etc..
What does this all mean to these writers and what does it represent?
Morals
Beliefs
Influences
What was going on during the time period that this writer wrought this specific work?
What effects did the time period have on their writing?
How is the author’s experiences as well as his/her time period affect their beliefs, and morals of the time?