Elements of the Secondary Source MLA Paper

Elements of the Secondary Source MLA Paper

Primary v. Secondary Source A primary source is the original work (novel) discussed in your paper. In this instance, the primary source of your essay is Nathaniel Hawthorne s The Scarlet Letter. A secondary source interprets or critiques a primary source (the original work). For example, if you wrote about Pearl s role in The Scarlet Letter, a potential secondary source for your essay would be another scholar s essay written about Pearl s role in The Scarlet Letter. Types of secondary sources: newspaper/magazine articles, book/movie reviews, or scholarly journal articles

The Purpose of Secondary Sources Why would you want to use secondary sources in your (already perfectly crafted!) essay? --Secondary sources represent other scholars opinions, interpretations and arguments about the primary work that you are analyzing. --These opinions, interpretations, and arguments should help to SUPPORT your own analysis and discussion of the primary source. (A.K.A. they make you look good!)

Steps to Writing a Secondary Source MLA Paper 1. Start with a completed Primary Source MLA paper. 2. Research (print, database, online) your topic (thesis) and find three quotes (no more, no less) that support each of your three contentions. 3. Go to citationmachine.net and create a Works Cited entry for each source used. 4. You will then do the following process three times (one for each contention): a. Open the body paragraph after the ANALYSIS of your primary source quotation. b. Insert a lead-in or intro sentence, the secondary-source quotation (with parenthetical citation), and the analysis (explain the quote s significance to your contention and, therefore, thesis). c. End with a closing sentence (already done--when you wrote your primary source paper)

Definitions Modern Language Association (MLA) style: writing style used for scholarly papers; guides you in your writing mechanics--punctuation, quotations, and source documentation Direct quotation: Author s language, word-for-word (verbatim); needs quotes and an in-text citation. Indirect quotation: paraphrases author s words; does not need quotes but does need an in-text citation In-text citation: A.K.A parenthetical reference; helps readers to easily find the source of your quote on the Works Cited page. Example: (Hawthorne 50).

Ellipsis: an indication of the omission/deletion of words in a direct quotation. Example: Pearl, seeing the rose bushes, [... ] would not be pacified (Hawthorne 130). Thesis: your main argument Contentions: the main points used to support your thesis Transitions: words/phrases that smoothly guide the reader from one thought to another Works Cited page: a list of works that you referenced in the body of your paper; ALWAYS NECESSARY WHEN USING OUTSIDE SOURCES!! Sources must be accurate and alphabetized.

Time To Practice! We will be in the Collaboration Room for the rest of the week. You must have access to your original TSL primary source paper for this assignment. TIP: Use my comments (via the paper rubric) to edit and revise your original primary source paper before working on adding secondary sources. I suggest you do this on your own time. You will want class time to search for secondary source quotes. Use the information from this presentation to assist you in your work. (Uploaded to site.) You will have access to print, database, and online sources as you work. This assignment will be due a week from today at 4 p.m. Rubric is attached.

Rubric