Do Now:

Pick up the sample paper from the front table

Read through it and start making corrections where you see incorrect MLA formatting

Guide to MLA - Review

Generally speaking…

Double space the text Times New Roman, 12 pt. font Margins should be 1 in. on all sides Indent the first line of each paragraph Each page should include your last name and

page number in the upper right hand corner Use italics for titles of longer works, and

quotations for titles of shorter works

First Page

Do not make a title page for your paper Name, Teacher’s Name, Period, Date - all in

the upper left hand corner Title is centered Header in the upper right corner that includes

your last name, a space, and page number

In-text Citations

Author-page format Example: (Williams 252)

Author’s name may appear in either the sentence itself or in parentheses following the quotation or paraphrase.

Page number should always appear in the parentheses

When citing non-print or internet sources: Include in the text the first item that appears in the works cited entry (author name,

article name, website name, etc.)

You don’t need to give paragraph numbers or page numbers based on your web browser

Do not include in-text URLs for internet sources

When should I cite?

When using direct quotations

When paraphrasing or taking ideas from another source

When are citations unnecessary?

You don’t need to give sources for familiar proverbs or common knowledge

When in doubt, just cite it!

Works Cited

Works cited should be a separate page at the end of the research paper

Same one inch margin on all sides

Double space all citations, and don’t skip spaces in-between entries

Hanging indents for the second line in a works cited entry

Capitalize each word in the titles of articles, books, etc. but do not capitalize articles (the, an), prepositions, or conjunctions unless one is the first word of the title or subtitle Example: Gone with the Wind

Use italics instead of underlining for titles of larger works and quotation marks for titles of shorter works

Guidelines for Writing a Research Thesis

A strong research paper should establish a claim and then prove/support with logical reasoning, examples, and research. The thesis statement should act as a guideline, or unifying element, to your paper.

1. Start simply – write your thesis statement in one sentence

2. Thesis should answer a question – what am I trying to prove?

3. Avoid using first-person phrases like “I am going to prove” or “I hope to show”

FORMAT: Subject – Claim

Thesis Examples

Your thesis statement should follow a subject-claim format. Make sure it can answer a question and does not simply restate the subject of the paper.

Example #1:Significant events in Queen Elizabeth I’s life inspired and influenced many characters and themes in Shakespeare’s plays.

Example #2:Shakespeare’s early access to education and extended study at Eton College majorly contributed to his ability to create new words.

Example #3: The structure and layout of the Globe Theater influenced the ways in which the audience understood and experienced Shakespeare’s plays.