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 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 MARKSCITATION

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:

Any plagiarism = 0 points

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 detailadd perspectivedevelop interpretation