Sample MLA Paper

The sample research paper we discussed in class is available online here.

Lead-in Verbs

Remember to vary your lead-ins to your sources. Also remember to always attribute information to your sources both in the wording of your sentences and in the parenthetical citations. Never stick quotes in a paper without telling where they came from. Although the citations are necessary, they are not enough. You must also blend the quotes into the paper by using proper transitions or introductions.

For a list of lead-in verbs, look on page 591 in the Harbrace book. You can also find suggested lead-in verbs here or here. These will help you properly attribute your information to your sources without repeating "says, says, says" over and over or "according to, according to, according to."

Research Checklist

Research papers are due April 11 for Monday/Wednesday/Friday classes and April 12 for Tuesday/Thursday classes.

Before turning in the paper, go through this checklist to be sure everything is in order.

Conferences

All comp 2 students need to have an individual conference with me during the week of April 4-8. The conferences will take place in my office, 113 Academic Support.

Bring a copy of your completed research paper rough draft with you along with your sources and your corrected works cited page. Be prepared to ask specific questions about your paper.

Appointment schedules will be posted outside my office door after Wednesday, March 30.

Failure to attend the conference will count as one absence from class.

Typing Outlines

If you want to avoid that thing Microsoft Word does when it messes up your outlines as you are typing them by trying to format them for you, follow these steps:

1) Go toTools.
2) Click AutoCorrect.
3) Click AutoFormat as you type.
4) Click off the check mark next to automatic numbered lists.
5) Click OK.

That should do it. If it doesn't, go back into AutoCorrect and turn off ten or twelve more things while you yell at the computer. :)

Citing Radio Transcripts

Here's a sample MLA citation for a transcript of a radio broadcast found in Newsbank.

Paraphrase and Summary Assignment

Assignment handout.

Paraphrase format handout.

Summary format handout.