ELA 7 Research Paper Lesson

ELA 7 Research Paper Review

Standard Format for Research Papers

When writing research papers, students are expected to adhere to the rules of the Modern Language Association (MLA). These rules include font, font size, and spacing of all items of the paper (header, heading, title, paragraphs, in-text citations, and works cited).

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is the standard font size (size of the letters) for MLA writing?

• 16 point

• 12 point

• 14 point

• 10 point

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is the standard font (style of the letters) for MLA writing?

• Ariel

• Century Gothic

• Times New Roman

• Serif

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is the standard spacing (space between lines) for MLA writing?

• Single spacing

• Double spacing

• Half spacing

• Quarter spacing

Poll

Does double spacing apply to the works cited page and sources?

• Yes

• No

Header?

What is a header?

Headers are simple yet important aspects of a research paper.

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Headers contain page numbers and writer last names.

Multiple Choice

Which answer has the correct organization for a header?

Writer name: Julia Glass

Page number: 12

• First name then page number

  Ex. Julia 12

• Page number then last name

  Ex. 12 Glass

• Page number then first name

  Ex. 12 Julia

• Last name then page number

  Ex. Glass 12

Headings?

What is a heading?

​A heading indicates many pieces of information, such as the writer's name, the date in which the paper was written, and both the class and professor/teacher for which the paper is intended.

Note: A heading serves a different purpose than a header (Last name, page number).

​Remember to always format the dates on a heading in the proper order:

​

Day -> Month -> Year​

3 May 2000​

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When typing short months (March, April, May, June, and July), be sure to type out the full word.

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When typing the longer months (January, February, ​August, September, October, November, December), shorten the months to the first three letters.

​ 4 Jan 2001 6 Feb 1995

18 Oct 3044​ 15 Nov 1945

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Research Paper Title

The title always goes in the center of the paper.

Still in 12 point, Times New Roman font, the title is centered just before the first paragraph of the paper.

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There should be no extra spacing between the title and the first paragraph. Press the enter key only once after the title to start the introduction.​

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Thesis Statement

​What is a thesis statement and why does it matter?

A thesis statement is a single sentence which contains the ​topic of the entire paper. Thesis statements:

1. Make a claim about the topic

2. ​Use strong, precise, and decisive language.

3. Are broad enough to cover every subtopic brought up in the later paragraphs.

A thesis statement is NOT the same as a topic sentence. How are they different?

Multiple Choice

Where is the thesis statement located?

• The first sentence of a paper.

• In the second paragraph of a paper.

• At the end of the first paragraph of a paper.

• Anywhere in the paper.

Open Ended

In which paragraph(s) are thesis statements restated?

Open Ended

Why do conclusion paragraphs restate the thesis?

Open Ended

How are the restatements different from the original thesis in the introduction?

Works Cited

• ​Starts a new page with "Works Cited" at the top and center

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• Contains all the sources' information listed in alphabetical order​

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• Adheres to MLA format (12 point, Times New Roman, double spaced)

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• Each extra line of a source after the first line must be indented

Multiple Choice

Choose the answer below that correctly cites the source information.

Title: "Freedom"

Author: Taylor Reed

Website: LibertyBell

Date: 8 May 2022

URL: libertyrings.com

• Taylor, Reed, "LibertyBell." Freedom. libertyrings.com. Accessed on 8 May 2022.

• Reed, Taylor. "Freedom." LibertyBell. libertyrings.com. Accessed on 8 May 2022.

Multiple Choice

Choose the answer below that correctly cites the source information.

Title: "Hideout"

Author: Anthony Idle

Website: ClubHouseRules

Date: 12 Dec 2000

URL: treehousescouts.org

• Idle, Anthony. "Hideout." ClubHouseRules. treehousescouts.org. Accessed on 12 Dec 2000.

• Idle, Anthony, "Hideout," ClubHouseRules; treehousescouts.org, Accessed on 12 Dec 2000

Multiple Choice

Choose the answer below that correctly cites the source information.

Title: "Anonymous"

Author: No author

Website: UnknownTypers

Date: 9 September 1999

URL: anonymous.com

• "Anonymous." UnknownTypers. anonymous.com. Accessed on 9 Sep 1999.

• "UnknownTypers." Anonymous. anonymous.com. Accessed on 9 Sep 1999.

Multiple Choice

Choose the answer below that correctly cites the source information.

Title: "Together"

Author: Florence Apple, Mike Waltz, and Jenny Harold

Website: Stronger United

Date: 4 April 2022

URL: togetherwestand.com

• Apple, Waltz, and Harold. "Together." Stronger United. togetherwestand.com. Accessed 4 April 2022.

• Apple, Florence, et al. "Together." Stronger United. togetherwestand.com. Accessed 4 April 2022.

​Remember to list sources on the Works Cited in alphabetical order!

​Alvin, Megan. "Jeans and Tees." Clothing. Clothes and Fashion. clothes.com. Accessed on 2 May 2022.

Berlin, Klein. "Munich." Germany. deutschland.com. Accessed on 8 June 2021.​

​Catching, Catherine. "Cats." Feline Friends. meow.com. Accessed on 1 Feb 1990.

​Delta, Dolly. "Dodging Things." Duck and Dive. dodgeit.com. Accessed on 18 Jan 1992.

​A

​Z

Introducing Quotes

​When quoting sources in a paper,

Use either the author's name or the title of the article.

Ex. According to Lauren Burr, "America is the second best country" (2).

Ex. "American Lives" states, "America is the second best country" (2).​

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​When using the author's name, be sure to include the authors first and last name when introducing the source. However, if quoting them again later on, only use the author's last name onward.

​*Remember to stay in PRESENT TENSE. Ex. The author states. (NOT: The author stated.)