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Writing the Sophomore Research Paper. Details to remember. Length 4-6 pgs means minimum = 4 FULL PAGES Word count: MINIMUM 1400 Font Times New Roman Margins 1-inch Heading, page numbers, etc.: MLA format. Sources, Citations, Works Cited. CITE EVERYTHING THAT’S NOT YOUR OWN
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Details to remember • Length • 4-6 pgs means minimum = 4 FULL PAGES • Word count: MINIMUM 1400 • Font • Times New Roman • Margins • 1-inch • Heading, page numbers, etc.: MLA format
Sources, Citations, Works Cited • CITE EVERYTHING THAT’S NOT YOUR OWN • If you just cite the last sentence of a sequence of facts, we cannot assume which sentences/facts go with which citations • Make sure Works Cited is properly formatted • Sources must be academic and reliable
Direct Quotes vs. Paraphrase • If you are using the source’s words, you need: • QUOTATION MARKS • CITATION • If you are paraphrasing a source’s idea, you need: • CITATION
Paraphrasing IS • Expressing another’s ideas using your own words
Paraphrasing IS NOT • Using “mostly” your own words but keeping the source’s phrasing • See example:
In-Text Citations • From book or journal: • (Author #) no comma • From an electronic work without an author: • (First part of title) • Essentially, citation needs to contain sufficient info for reader to find the source on Works Cited pg
Analysis • Problem: Using hypothetical situations or speculation as analysis • “Germany would never have unified if Bismarck hadn’t used his Machiavellian strategies.” • “Mussolini was the schoolyard bully who pushed everyone around and demanded lunch money. Schoolyard bullies never succeed, but Mussolini did.”
Organization • Problem: • BTS 1: Superman is the greatest of all superheroes. • BTS 2: In addition, Godzilla is a famous villain.
Organization • Body paragraphs need to relate TO EACH OTHER in addition to relating to the thesis • Transition words not enough to connect body paragraphs of very different topics
Organization • Problem: • 3 body paragraphs for a 4-6 pg research paper • Related problem: • List as thesis
Organization A research paper ≠ 5-paragr. essay • Paragraphs must build on each other to create a complete argument. • Paragraphs must develop an idea • cramming several ideas into 1 paragraph is not effective • 3 separate “main points” not helpful
Analogy: Art • You are a young student. Your teacher asks you to draw a house. • You create this:
Analogy: Art, continued • You are now a high school art student. Your teacher asks you to draw a house. Do you create the same drawing? Or do you create something like this?
Analogy to Writing • Similar basic structure (house, essay) • More advanced students expected to build on basic structure and move toward more sophisticated work: • add detail • add perspective • develop interpretation