The Research Paper: Important Information

The Research Paper:The Research Paper:Important Important

InformationInformation

ENG 101ENG 101

J. BeattieJ. Beattie

Tri-County Technical CollegeTri-County Technical College

Researching the Researching the InternetInternet You You MUSTMUST evaluate any internet evaluate any internet

sources you plan to use!sources you plan to use! Anyone can put something out on Anyone can put something out on

the internet.the internet. How do you know whether or not How do you know whether or not

your internet source is credible?your internet source is credible?

Evaluating Internet Evaluating Internet Sources: Step 1Sources: Step 1

Know what kind of site you’re Know what kind of site you’re examining.examining.– a.    informational pages (i.e., a.    informational pages (i.e.,

www.tctc.edu)www.tctc.edu)– b.   news and journalistic sources (i.e., b.   news and journalistic sources (i.e.,

www.cnn.com)www.cnn.com)– c.    advocacy pages (i.e., c.    advocacy pages (i.e.,

www.aids.org)www.aids.org)– d.   personal homepages (i.e., d.   personal homepages (i.e.,

home.earthlink.net/~member1234) home.earthlink.net/~member1234) – e.    entertainment pages (i.e., e.    entertainment pages (i.e.,

www.thex-files.com).www.thex-files.com).

You can’t believe You can’t believe everything you see everything you see online!online! http://www.dhmo.org/http://www.dhmo.org/ http://www.genochoice.com/http://www.genochoice.com/ http://zapatopi.net/treeoctopus/http://zapatopi.net/treeoctopus/ http://www.mjt.org/http://www.mjt.org/ http://www.d-b.net/dti/http://www.d-b.net/dti/ http://http://

www.buydehydratedwater.com/www.buydehydratedwater.com/ http://www.firstgenetics.com/http://www.firstgenetics.com/

Evaluating Internet Evaluating Internet Sources: Step 2Sources: Step 2

Know who provided the information you find.Know who provided the information you find.– who the author is (name, credentials, a who the author is (name, credentials, a

physical or electronic address)physical or electronic address)– when the material was posted or last when the material was posted or last

updatedupdated– the kind of site on which the information the kind of site on which the information

appears (is it, for instance, a site sponsored appears (is it, for instance, a site sponsored by a reputed company or one that anyone by a reputed company or one that anyone can buy space on?)can buy space on?)

– cross-references or sources for factual cross-references or sources for factual materialmaterial

– footnotes or bibliographyfootnotes or bibliography

Evaluating Internet Evaluating Internet Sources: Final StepsSources: Final Steps

Cross-check the information with other Cross-check the information with other sources.sources.

Check the relevance, accuracy, and Check the relevance, accuracy, and currency of the information.currency of the information.

Make sure you document anything Make sure you document anything taken from a Web site the same way taken from a Web site the same way you would document any other sourceyou would document any other source—or you’ll be guilty of plagiarizing.—or you’ll be guilty of plagiarizing.

Use common sense!Use common sense!

Avoiding Plagiarism: Avoiding Plagiarism: Step OneStep One

Make sure you understand the Make sure you understand the material!material!– If you can’t put the information into If you can’t put the information into

your own words, you aren’t ready to your own words, you aren’t ready to write about it. Writing in your own write about it. Writing in your own words, using a few quotes to words, using a few quotes to strengthen your main points, shows strengthen your main points, shows that you understand your topic. that you understand your topic. Stringing quotes together suggests Stringing quotes together suggests that you don’t.that you don’t.

Avoiding Plagiarism: Avoiding Plagiarism: Step TwoStep Two

Know when and how to use Know when and how to use direct quotations, direct quotations, paraphrases, summaries, and paraphrases, summaries, and common knowledge.common knowledge.

What’s The Difference?What’s The Difference?

Direct quotationsDirect quotations are used when are used when the author’s original words are so the author’s original words are so memorable, the facts are so memorable, the facts are so specific, or the authority is so specific, or the authority is so convincing that the exact words convincing that the exact words are the only way to express the are the only way to express the information. information.

What’s the Difference?What’s the Difference?

ParaphrasesParaphrases are used when the are used when the information is crucial, but the information is crucial, but the speaker’s authority or exact speaker’s authority or exact words aren’t as impressive. words aren’t as impressive. Paraphrases must be entirely Paraphrases must be entirely in your own words and word in your own words and word order.order.

More on ParaphrasingMore on Paraphrasing

A paraphrase is...A paraphrase is... your own rendition of essential your own rendition of essential

information and ideas expressed by information and ideas expressed by someone else, presented in a new form. someone else, presented in a new form.

one legitimate way (when accompanied one legitimate way (when accompanied by accurate documentation) to borrow by accurate documentation) to borrow from a source. from a source.

a more detailed restatement than a a more detailed restatement than a summary, which focuses concisely on a summary, which focuses concisely on a single main idea. single main idea.

More on ParaphrasingMore on Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing is a valuable skill Paraphrasing is a valuable skill because...because...

it is better than quoting information it is better than quoting information from an undistinguished passage. from an undistinguished passage.

it helps you control the temptation to it helps you control the temptation to quote too much. quote too much.

the mental process required for the mental process required for successful paraphrasing helps you to successful paraphrasing helps you to grasp the full meaning of the original. grasp the full meaning of the original.

Even More on Even More on ParaphrasingParaphrasing

6 Steps to Effective Paraphrasing6 Steps to Effective Paraphrasing 1. Reread the original passage until 1. Reread the original passage until

you understand its full meaning.you understand its full meaning. 2. Set the original aside, and write 2. Set the original aside, and write

your paraphrase on a note card.your paraphrase on a note card. 3. Jot down a few words below your 3. Jot down a few words below your

paraphrase to remind you later how paraphrase to remind you later how you envision using this material. At the you envision using this material. At the top of the note card, write a key word top of the note card, write a key word or phrase to indicate the subject of or phrase to indicate the subject of your paraphrase.your paraphrase.

Final Information on Final Information on ParaphrasingParaphrasing

4. Check your rendition with the original 4. Check your rendition with the original to make sure that your version to make sure that your version accurately expresses all the essential accurately expresses all the essential information in a new form.information in a new form.

5. Use quotation marks to identify any 5. Use quotation marks to identify any unique term or phraseology you have unique term or phraseology you have borrowed exactly from the source.borrowed exactly from the source.

6. Record the source (including the 6. Record the source (including the page) on your note card so that you can page) on your note card so that you can credit it easily if you decide to credit it easily if you decide to incorporate the material into your incorporate the material into your paper.paper.

What’s the Difference?What’s the Difference?

SummariesSummaries are used when only a are used when only a general sense of the information of the general sense of the information of the source is needed, for example as source is needed, for example as background or definition. background or definition.

Common knowledgeCommon knowledge includes facts includes facts found in general reference works like found in general reference works like encyclopedias, almanacs, and encyclopedias, almanacs, and dictionaries; common proverbs and dictionaries; common proverbs and expressions; knowledge generally expressions; knowledge generally shared by members of the audience.       shared by members of the audience.      

Avoiding Plagiarism: Avoiding Plagiarism: Step 3Step 3

Use a signal in the body of your text Use a signal in the body of your text to show where the use of a source to show where the use of a source starts.starts.

This technique, called This technique, called attributionattribution, shows , shows your readers the kinds and quality of your readers the kinds and quality of evidence that backs up the point you evidence that backs up the point you are making. Such a signal says to your are making. Such a signal says to your reader, "Here’s why you should believe reader, "Here’s why you should believe what I say–these facts or this person what I say–these facts or this person backs me up." backs me up."

Attribution TagsAttribution Tags

Should name the sourceShould name the source Should show why the source is Should show why the source is

credible (the first time mentioned)credible (the first time mentioned) Should not always be the same Should not always be the same

(i.e. So & So Says…)(i.e. So & So Says…) Should be smoothly incorporated Should be smoothly incorporated

with the borrowed information and with the borrowed information and your own textyour own text

Avoiding Plagiarism: Avoiding Plagiarism: Step 4Step 4

Use a signal to show where your Use a signal to show where your use of the source ends.use of the source ends.

            This in-text citation, shown in This in-text citation, shown in parentheses, allows readers to switch parentheses, allows readers to switch focus from your supporting material focus from your supporting material back to the main thrust of your paper. It back to the main thrust of your paper. It also helps readers find the source in the also helps readers find the source in the list at the end of the paper in case they list at the end of the paper in case they wish to know more about what the wish to know more about what the source has to show. source has to show.

Avoiding Plagiarism: Avoiding Plagiarism: Final StepFinal Step

Put a complete list of the Put a complete list of the sources you used at the end of sources you used at the end of your paper so that readers can your paper so that readers can find out more about them.find out more about them.      

MLA=Works Cited ListMLA=Works Cited List shows readers the range and shows readers the range and

depth of the material you looked at depth of the material you looked at in writing this paper to support in writing this paper to support your expertise. your expertise.

MLA STYLEMLA STYLE

2 parts:2 parts:Works Cited Page Works Cited Page Parenthetical Citations Parenthetical Citations

Works Cited ListWorks Cited List

A complete list of every source A complete list of every source that you make reference to in that you make reference to in your essayyour essay

Provides the information Provides the information necessary for a reader to locate necessary for a reader to locate and retrieve any sources cited in and retrieve any sources cited in your essay.your essay.

A Sample Works Cited A Sample Works Cited PagePage

Smith 12Works Cited

Dickens, Charles. Bleak House. 1852-1853. New York: Penguin,

1985.

---. David Copperfield. 1849-1850. New York: Houghton Mifflin

Company, 1958.

Miller, J. Hillis. Charles Dickens: The World and His Novels.

Bloomington: U of Indiana P, 1958.

Zwerdling, Alex. “Esther Summerson Rehabilitated.” PMLA 88 (May

1973): 429-439.

Works CitedWorks Cited

Most citations should Most citations should contain the following contain the following basic information:basic information:

Author’s nameAuthor’s name Title of workTitle of work Publication informationPublication information

When Should You Use When Should You Use Parenthetical Citations?Parenthetical Citations?

When When quotingquoting any words any words that are not your ownthat are not your own– Quoting means to repeat Quoting means to repeat

another source word for another source word for word, using quotation marksword, using quotation marks

When Should You Use When Should You Use Parenthetical Citations?Parenthetical Citations?

When When summarizingsummarizing facts and facts and ideas from a sourceideas from a source– Summarizing means to take ideas Summarizing means to take ideas

from a large passage of another from a large passage of another source and condense them, using source and condense them, using your own wordsyour own words

When When paraphrasing paraphrasing a sourcea source– Paraphrasing means to use the ideas Paraphrasing means to use the ideas

from another source but change the from another source but change the phrasing into your own wordsphrasing into your own words

Keys to Parenthetical Keys to Parenthetical CitationsCitations

ReadabilityReadability Keep references brief Keep references brief Give only information needed to Give only information needed to

identify the source on your Works identify the source on your Works Cited pageCited page

Do not repeat unnecessary Do not repeat unnecessary informationinformation

Handling Quotes in Handling Quotes in Your TextYour Text

Author’s last name and page Author’s last name and page number(s) of quote must appear in number(s) of quote must appear in the textthe textRomantic poetry is characterized by Romantic poetry is characterized by the “spontaneous overflow of the “spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings” (Wordsworth 263).powerful feelings” (Wordsworth 263).Wordsworth stated that Romantic Wordsworth stated that Romantic poetry was marked by a poetry was marked by a “spontaneous overflow of powerful “spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings” (263).feelings” (263).

Handling Parenthetical Handling Parenthetical CitationsCitations

SometimesSometimes more information is necessarymore information is necessary More than one author with the same last More than one author with the same last

namename(W. Wordsworth 23); (D. Wordsworth 224)(W. Wordsworth 23); (D. Wordsworth 224)

More than one work by the same authorMore than one work by the same author(Joyce, (Joyce, PortraitPortrait 121); (Joyce, 121); (Joyce, UlyssesUlysses 556) 556)

Different volumes of a multivolume workDifferent volumes of a multivolume work(1: 336)(1: 336)

Citing indirect sources Citing indirect sources (Johnson qtd. in Boswell 2:450)(Johnson qtd. in Boswell 2:450)

Handling Parenthetical Handling Parenthetical CitationsCitations

If the source has no known author, then If the source has no known author, then use an abbreviated version of the title:use an abbreviated version of the title:Full Title: “California Cigarette Tax Full Title: “California Cigarette Tax Deters Smokers”Deters Smokers”Citation: (“California” A14)Citation: (“California” A14)

If the source is only one page in length If the source is only one page in length or is a web page with no apparent or is a web page with no apparent pagination:pagination:Source: Dave Poland’s “Hot Button” web Source: Dave Poland’s “Hot Button” web columncolumnCitation: (Poland)Citation: (Poland)

Handling Long Handling Long QuotationsQuotations

David becomes identified and defined by James Steerforth, a young man with David becomes identified and defined by James Steerforth, a young man with whom David is acquainted from his days at Salem House. Before meeting whom David is acquainted from his days at Salem House. Before meeting Steerforth, David accepts Steerforth’s name as an authoritative power:Steerforth, David accepts Steerforth’s name as an authoritative power:

There was an old door in this playground, on which the boys had a There was an old door in this playground, on which the boys had a custom of carving their names. . . . In my dread of the end of the custom of carving their names. . . . In my dread of the end of the vacation and their coming back, I could not read a boy’s name, vacation and their coming back, I could not read a boy’s name, without inquiring in what tone and with what emphasis he would without inquiring in what tone and with what emphasis he would read, “Take care of him. He bites.” There was one boy—a certain read, “Take care of him. He bites.” There was one boy—a certain J. Steerforth—who cut his name very deep and very often, who I J. Steerforth—who cut his name very deep and very often, who I conceived, would read it in a rather strong voice, and afterwards conceived, would read it in a rather strong voice, and afterwards pull my hair. (Dickens 68)pull my hair. (Dickens 68)

For Steerforth, naming becomes an act of possession, as well as For Steerforth, naming becomes an act of possession, as well as exploitation. Steerforth names David for his fresh look and innocence, but exploitation. Steerforth names David for his fresh look and innocence, but also uses the name Daisy to exploit David's romantic tendencies (Dyson also uses the name Daisy to exploit David's romantic tendencies (Dyson 122). 122).

Handling Quotes in Handling Quotes in Your TextYour Text

There are many different There are many different combinations and variations combinations and variations within MLA citation format. within MLA citation format.

If you run into something unusual, If you run into something unusual, look it up! look it up!

Where can you go for Where can you go for additional help with MLA additional help with MLA

documentation?documentation? Your Your Prentice Hall Reference Prentice Hall Reference

Guide to Grammar and UsageGuide to Grammar and Usage The Writing Center—they have The Writing Center—they have

handouts and human beings to handouts and human beings to help with MLAhelp with MLA

Your teacherYour teacher