1 / 19

Writing the Sophomore Research Paper

Dive into the essential details for your sophomore research paper, including length requirements, formatting guidelines, proper citations, and the importance of analysis and organization. Understand the difference between direct quotes and paraphrasing, and master the art of in-text citations. Strengthen your writing by avoiding common pitfalls in analysis and organization, and learn how to develop your ideas effectively in body paragraphs.

williamcwalker
Download Presentation

Writing the Sophomore Research Paper

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Writing the Sophomore Research Paper

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. Direct Quotes vs. Paraphrase • If you are using the source’s words, you need: • QUOTATION MARKS • CITATION • If you are paraphrasing a source’s idea, you need: • CITATION

  5. Paraphrasing IS • Expressing another’s ideas using your own words

  6. Paraphrasing IS NOT • Using “mostly” your own words but keeping the source’s phrasing • See example:

  7. Any plagiarism = 0 points

  8. 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

  9. 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.”

  10. Organization • Problem: • BTS 1: Superman is the greatest of all superheroes. • BTS 2: In addition, Godzilla is a famous villain.

  11. 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

  12. Organization • Problem: • 3 body paragraphs for a 4-6 pg research paper • Related problem: • List as thesis

  13. 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

  14. Analogy: Art • You are a young student. Your teacher asks you to draw a house. • You create this:

  15. 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?

  16. Analogy to Writing • Similar basic structure (house, essay) • More advanced students expected to build on basic structure and move toward more sophisticated work: • add detail • add perspective • develop interpretation

More Related