RESEARCH PAPER PROCESS – MLA STYLE

1. RESEARCH PAPER PROCESS – MLA STYLE ENGLISH 621

2. TOPIC SELECTION • Choose several topics; but only select the one on which you can find several resource materials such as books, magazines, encyclopedia, online sources, film, radio, authority figure and so on. • Searching for sources takes a lot of work; please do not just stop at the CRHS Library; try the Confederation Library, UPEI, credible online articles and various organizations. • Narrow your topic, and write up several possible thesis statements.

3. TYPES OF SOURCES • Books Magazines/Journals • Newspapers Encyclopedia • Pamphlets Newsletters • Films Radio Program • Personal/Authority Figure • Online Sources – Professional Webpages, articles, journals and so on • You need 2 hard sources & 2 soft (film, radio & web).

4. Thesis Statement • A thesis statement is your main claim or main argument of your paper. All of the evidence that you collect should support your thesis. • Thesis represents a narrow scope of your topic. • For constructing a thesis, ask a question about the topic, and the specific answer could be your thesis. See next example.

5. Thesis Statement • For the topic of “Hockey in Canada”, one possible question is “Is hockey skill increasing among the majority of players in the professional league compared to 20 years ago? • An answer and possible thesis could be the following: • “Professional hockey players today are displaying more skill than those in the NHL twenty years ago.”

6. Outline • An outline is a blueprint , which helps direct you. A sample outline is as follows: • I. Introduction – Introductory paragraphs including your thesis. • II. Description of hockey skills • III. Major current hockey players and their skills • IV. Major hockey players 20 years ago and their skills V. Comparison VI. Conclusion

7. Note Cards • A valuable method is to use index cards to compile your notes so you can rearrange and organize them. • Begin by writing the name of your source (book) and author on top of card. Include page nos. • Write a sub-heading so you know what type of information will be on the card(s) at a glance. Notes are paraphrased. See next example.

8. Note Cards • The History of Hockey by Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe P. 65-70 • “Hockey Skills” – Subtopic • Skills such as balanced, speedy skating, slick stick handling and sharp awareness of the action are still necessary skills for professional hockey. Currently, the NHL is more competitive so players come fairly skilled and train harder.

9. Rough Drafts • After you have researched and written at least 20 notecards focusing on your thesis, you can begin a rough draft. It will follow your outline. • Since this is a research paper, and none of it will be your opinion, you will have to cite your sources (state where you attained the information). This will be covered in next slide. • You should write or type your draft in 1.5 or 2 spacing to make numerous corrections. At least 2 drafts with revision/editing notations are required; so print off each copy and handwrite notations. • Revise, revise, revise!

10. In-Text Citations • A citation is text that states from where you received your information. You would include this after your last source and before your new one. Generally, it can be inset at the end of each paragraph or couple of paragraphs depending upon the source. However, if you use two different sources for one sentence, you will have two in-text citations within. See following examples:

11. In-Text Citations • Assume the following is a paragraph in my paper. • Sidney Crosby, no doubt, is one of the most skilled hockey players today in the NHL; critics state that he will surpass Wayne Gretzky in legendary status. Each year, new drafts exhibit finer skills and smooth tactics (Gretzky and Howe 23-30). • The citation is the part in brackets containing authors’ last names and page nos. Be sure to follow exact order. • See another example on next slide.

12. In-Text Citations • Twenty years ago, there were fewer methods to train competitive hockey players (Cherry 131-131); today, young athletes have fitness clubs, hockey schools, personal trainers and better nutrition to raise their level of skill (MacLean 22). • Look at the sentence above to see that I used two sources for one sentence.

13. In-Text Citations • If you are using a source with no author, use the title in quotation marks for the citation. If you are using a film, use the Director’s name. If you are using an encyclopedia article, look at the bottom to see if there is an author; if not, use the title in quotation marks.

14. Works Cited • The last page of your paper consists of a bibliography which is entitled “Works Cited”. • Follow the MLA format in A Canadian Writer’s Reference by Diana Hacker in hard copy or online at dianahacker.com. • The Library will have a laminated copy pasted on the counter. • Follow this exactly. See next slide example.

15. Works Cited • Dryden, Ken. “Hockey”. Encyclopedia Britannica. Vol. IV. • Gretzky, Wayne and Gordie Howe. Hockey Then & Now. Toronto: McClelland Publishers. 2006. “Hockey in the 80’s”. Hockey History. 11 November 2007.< www.hockeyhistory.ca>.

16. Page Numbers • Each page has to be numbered with the exception of the Cover Page. You would include your last name and page number “right justified” at the top. See next slide for example.

17. Page Numbers • Dunphy 1

18. Title Page • The title page should include the following: • 1/3 down the page – Title (Size 12/14 font) – no bold • Next 1/3 – your name • Bottom 1/3 – Course on one line, my name on next line and date (day month year) on next. See example

19. Title Page • NHL Hockey Skill in 2007 and 1987 • Anna Dunphy • English 621 • Professor J. Connell • 4 December 2007

20. Typing the Paper • Use Size 12 or 14 conservative font such as Arial or Courier. • 1.5 spacing • Tab indent paragraphs. • Enter one between paragraphs. • For number; go to Format, Justificaton (Right Justification)

21. Submission • Submit the paper by Tuesday, December 4 in an 81/2 X 11 envelope including the following: • Note cards with elastic band around them • Draft copies • Typed good copy stapled • Teacher’s treat