Research Paper

Research PaperThe Notes

There are 6 parts of the research paper

1. Title page2. Outline (double spaced)3. Rough Draft4. Research paper (double spaced)5. Works cited (double spaced)6. Note cards (minimum 20 of information

from 10 sources: so at least 30)We will look at each of these elements in detail.

Title PageAn MLA title page includes…• Title of paper (all caps)• Your name• Class name (English IV)• Due date of paper

How to create a title page

• Type your paper title in all caps in the center of the page. (Times New Roman 11 pt. font)

• Skip 4-6 more lines and type your name.

• Skip a line and type the class name.• Skip another line and type the due

date.

What does a title page look like?

TITLE OF PAPER IN ALL CAPS

Your NameName of Class

Date

OutlineAn MLA outline isn’t really different

than other formal outlines you should have done.

• Use Roman Numerals• Double space• Type your thesis at the top

How to create an outline

• Type the thesis (double spaced) at the top• Below that “I” use an A, B, and C to list your

supporting details. • Continue in this format until you have 3 main

topics and supporting details for each.

• Note: You do not outline introductions and conclusions

• Note: Outline must match the order of your thesis

What does an outline look like?

The research paper• Double spaced• 1” margins (top, bottom, left, right)• Times New Roman 11 pt. font.• Length 3-5 pages typed• Written in paragraph form (full sentences)• At least 5 paragraphs (intro, 3 in body, conclusion)• No contractions or slang• Do not use headers/footers• Uses parenthetical documentation (PD) • Number your pages at the bottom of the page• Do not type your name on the first page….that’s what

the title page was for

Things to remember about the research paper

• The organization of your paper needs to match the outline EXACTLY.

For example, if the main points in your outline are causes, types, and effects, then your first body paragraph in the paper should be about causes. The second is about types. The third is about effects.

Parenthetical Documentation• What does “parenthetical” mean?

Parenthetical Documentation• What does “parenthetical” mean?

– Inside of parentheses (like this)

Parenthetical Documentation• What does “parenthetical” mean?

– Inside of parentheses (like this)

• What does “documentation” mean?

Parenthetical Documentation• What does “parenthetical” mean?

– Inside of parentheses (like this)

• What does “documentation” mean?– Written down, documented

How do you write a PD?Author’s last name and page number(Huguley 46)Note: Do not use “pg” or “page” before listing

the number.

Very important!! Whatever name you list in the PD must match your works cited. More on this later.

What does the paper look like?

Let’s take a closer look at the PD in that paper…

Works Cited• You might know the term “bibliography”

better, but it’s the same as a works cited.

• A Works Cited page lists (in a very detailed manner) each of the sources you used in research.

How to cite a bookCiting a Book1. author’s last name, first name—period2. title of book (underlined or italicized)—period3. city of publication—colon4. publishing company—comma5. year of publication (use the year that is closest

to 2012)—period

Example of book citation:Smith, Jane. For the Love of Puppies. Philadelphia: Harper

Collins, 1999.

Notice the indention of the second line!

How to cite a database article

1. author’s name—period2. Name of article in quotations—period3. Name of magazine/periodical the article came from (underline this)—no

punctuation after 4. Date the article was published—colon—and page numbers if given--period5. Name the database specifically, like EBSCO—period6. Date you accessed the article--period

Example of Database citation…Cannon, Angie. "Just Saying No to Tests." U.S. News & World Report 18 Sept.

2008: 3. Alabama Virtual Library. 28 Sept. 2012.

Again, notice the indention!

How to cite a website1. Author’s name—period2. Article title in quotes—period3. Website’s title (in the blue bar)4. Article date--period5. Put Web--period (NOTE: Some teachers may require the URL of the

website, if so, put it in <brackets> just use the basic website, not the whole crazy URL)  

6. Date you accessed the website--period

  Example...

Schuster, Alan. "Spa and Hot Tub Chemical  Questions." Ask Alan. Aqua- Clear Industries.  18 Aug. 2008. Web. 10 Sept. 2012.

Notice the indented lines!

What do I do when all my resources have been cited?

1. Alphabetize them according to the first word of the citation

2. Double space everything3. Make sure every line under the first one is

indented4. Type Works Cited at the top of the page in

the center.

What does the final WC page look like?

Works Cited

Africanized Honey Bees. 1995. Online. Internet. 29 Dec. 1997. Available <http//www.agcom/news/hc/ahb/htm.>

Heinrich, Berand. “Bee.” The World Book Encyclopedia. 1995 ed. Living with Killer Bees. Prod. Tony Burden. PBS. KUHT, Houston. 24

Nov. 1991 Pringle, Laurence. Here Come the Killer Bees. New York: William Morrow, 1986.

What is a research note card?

• Notecards are 3x5 index cards with only one, just one, no more than one fact per card.

• There are 4 components to making an MLA notecard.

4 Items to include on card

.

So, what goes on the Note Card??

• As you find interesting facts about your topic, you will write them down.

• Each idea should be paraphrased/summarized (in your own words) or quoted and written on a card.

• DO NOT COPY AND PASTE!!!!!

How do you record information on the notecard?

• Paraphrase/Summarize—shorter, in your own words; rewrite what the author said

• Quote—stating exactly what the author said; must use quotation marks

DON’T PLAGIARIZE!!!! ALWAYS GIVE THE CREDIT TO THE REAL AUTHOR!

PLAGIARISM• It's like lip-synching to someone else's voice

and accepting the applause and rewards for yourself.

• IF YOU PLAGIARIZE, YOU WILL FAIL!!! …any time you take a writer’s words and use them as your own, you are plagiarizing

1. Card TopicTopic is the kind of information on the card.

Think of it as the title, or main idea of the card. After writing down the information, figure out how you could briefly categorize, or title it.

2. Source Title• The source title is the name of the book,

magazine, website, etc., in which you found the information.

4. page numbers• It is important to be accurate with the

page numbers on your note cards, as you will need them for citations throughout your research paper.

Sample Note CardsOrganized by Card Topic

Citing my source!!Information for this presentation came from the following source• Reese, M. “Research Paper Note Cards.” Gaston, NC Retrieved 25

September 2012. www.gaston.k12.nc.us• “Researching and Organizing Your Paper: The Note Card System.”

English Works! at Gallaudet University, Washington, D.C. Published: 1997-present. Retrieved 24 September

2012. http://depts.gallaudet.edu/englishworks/writing/notecard.html

THE END!