Mini Research Paper Finding Sources
Reliable Sources What would you consider a reliable source?
Reliable Sources are NOT... -Wikipedia -Blogs -Forums -Social media -Biased Information
Ask yourself these questions... -Is the author identifiable, reliable, and trustworthy? -What is the purpose of this site?
Look for these clues... -Website ends in.org,.edu,.gov -Online news sources -Peer Reviewed -Scholarly
Mini Research Paper MLA Format
In-Text Citations -Includes the author s last name and page number -Sometimes there are no page numbers from an online source, which is acceptable -The citation ALWAYS comes at the end of sentences -Quotes longer than 4 lines follow their own guidelines
In-Text Citations Examples If the information is a direct quote, then you must end the quote, add the citation, and then include the punctuation (Lastname 5). If you are only quoting a few words from the text, but have more to say after, then include the citation at the end of the sentence (Lastname 8).
In-Text Citations Examples If you are paraphrasing information or summarizing ideas that are not your own, then you still need to cite the information properly at the end of the sentence (Lastname 5).
In-Text Citations Examples Quotations that are longer than four lines follow a specific format. Introduce these quotations with a colon: Start long quotations on a new line. Indent the entire quote one inch from the left margin. Double space the lines and do not use quotation marks. Reference the source at the end of the quotation, but place the punctuation before the parentheses with the author name and page number. These quotations are formatted very differently compared to shorter quotations, so make sure you follow these guidelines. (Albert 3)
FIND THE ERROR Sometimes I want to write what the author said without quoting them, but according to my sources that would be plagiarism. (Albert 3)
FIND THE ERROR This information is very important (Albert 3) so I need to cite it properly.
FIND THE ERROR The Reliable Sources has information that I want to summarize, so I do not need quotes, but I do need a citation (4 Albert).
FIND THE ERROR Miss Albert believes that learning MLA format can be boring, but it is important to know (Albert 8).
FIND THE ERROR Miss Albert believes that every student is capable of formatting their paper correctly and she wants every student to try their hardest. (Albert 4)
FIND THE ERROR Quotations that are longer than four lines follow a specific format. Introduce these quotations with a colon: Start long quotations on a new line. Indent the entire quote one inch from the left margin. Double space the lines and do not use quotation marks. Reference the source at the end of the quotation, but place the punctuation before the parentheses with the author name and page number. These quotations are formatted very differently compared to shorter quotations, so make sure you follow these guidelines (Albert 7).
FIND THE ERROR Quotations that are longer than four lines follow a specific format. Introduce these quotations with specific punctuation- Start long quotations on a new line. Indent the entire quote one inch from the left margin. Double space the lines and do not use quotation marks. Reference the source at the end of the quotation, but place the punctuation before the parentheses with the author name and page number. These quotations are formatted very differently compared to shorter quotations, so make sure you follow these guidelines. (Albert 6)
Works Cited Page -The Works Cited is a separate page from the text of your mini research paper -Different sources require different information for their citations EXAMPLE: https://owl.english.purdue. edu/owl/resource/747/13/
Mini Research Paper Writing the Paper
Introduction First Paragraph -Narrow Specific -Thesis Statement: Last sentence of first paragraph and describes overall topic of the paper
Body -Provides information in a chronological manner -Paragraphs are connected through transitions -All information is properly cited
Conclusion -Restates the Thesis Statement -Summarizes Major Points -Wraps up the paper
Helpful Hints- What to AVOID -Do NOT use contractions: won t=will not -Do NOT use first person pronouns I, me, my -Do NOT use second person pronouns you, your, yours -Do NOT begin sentences with contractions: but, or, nor, for, so, yet
Helpful Hints- What to AVOID -Do NOT pose any questions: Only use statements -Avoid casual language: Be professional -Do NOT use exclamation points!!! -Do NOT be lazy with your word choice: avoid very, really, things
Examples very tired = exhausted really hungry = starving very sad = devastated really stressed = overwhelmed very rich = extravagantly wealthy