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.