ch.30,31 citing sources

  • Introduction to Writing a Research Paper

    • Transitioning from information to analysis is challenging.

    • Research papers utilize outside sources to support claims, similar to other writing processes.

  • Understanding Thesis Statements

    • Begin with a clear research question.

    • Gather materials from various sources (library, Internet, interviews).

    • Develop a clear and direct thesis statement.

      • Example:

        • Research question: What are the consequences of high childcare costs in America?

        • Thesis: "The federal government should fund a high-quality childcare system, benefiting families, employers, and caregivers."

  • Organizing Ideas and Evidence

    • Create an outline based on your thesis to effectively organize your research.

    • Ensure your paper explains the significance and implications of the findings, not just a collection of data.

  • Interpreting Sources

    • Transform source notes into meaningful evidence.

      • Ensure the evidence supports your thesis and claims.

    • Maintain a balance between your voice and the sourced material.

  • Drafting the Paper

    • Use your outline as a skeleton for drafting.

    • Get the ideas down on paper without worrying about order initially.

    • Consider document citation practices to avoid plagiarism as you draft.

      • MLA Style: Author name and page number.

      • APA Style: Include author name, date, and location in the source.

  • Crafting the Beginning and Conclusion

    • Introduce your paper gradually, possibly starting with a relevant event or summarizing scholars’ views.

    • Conclude by reiterating your thesis and arguments made throughout the paper.

  • Using Reverse Outlining for Revision

    • Create an outline of your rough draft to examine structure and logic.

    • Assess if paragraphs are balanced and whether points were fully backed with evidence.

  • Revision and Editing

    • Focus on clarity of ideas and the coherence of your thesis throughout.

    • Consider peer feedback to identify areas needing reinforcement or clearer connections.

    • Check grammar, punctuation, and citation details scrupulously.

  • Documenting Sources Effectively

    • Follow MLA or APA styles to document and cite sources.

    • Ensure every source cited in the text appears in the works cited list.

    • Acknowledge all ideas, quotations, and paraphrases from sources accurately to avoid plagiarism.

    • General principles:

      • Common knowledge does not require citation.

      • Identify sources when in doubt on their acceptability.

  • Citing Various Types of Sources (MLA Guidelines)

    • Individual author named in a sentence: Provide last name in text.

    • Two authors: Both names listed in text.

    • More than two authors: Use first author's name followed by "et al."

    • Organizational authors: Full name in text, short version in citations.

    • Unidentified author: Use the title of the work in place of the author.

  • Closing

    • Ensure clarity and originality in your work, making your interpretations prominent.

    • Peer editing is valuable for gaining perspective on your research question and paper effectiveness.

    • Each quotation should have clear attribution and context to maintain the narrative flow of your paper.