Research PaperResearch Paper

Tips for SuccessTips for Success

Works CitedWorks Cited Separate pageSeparate page Works Cited title centeredWorks Cited title centered Last name and correct page number appear Last name and correct page number appear

in upper right with space between name and in upper right with space between name and pagepage

Sources listed alphabetically by first word in Sources listed alphabetically by first word in each entry/no bullets or numberseach entry/no bullets or numbers

Four or more sources listedFour or more sources listed First line of source starts at left, subsequent First line of source starts at left, subsequent

lines tabbed inlines tabbed in Titles of articles, etc. capitalized correctlyTitles of articles, etc. capitalized correctly

Works Cited, continued:Works Cited, continued:

Entire page double-spaced with no Entire page double-spaced with no large gaps between any lineslarge gaps between any lines

Each entry ends with a periodEach entry ends with a period Each source is used at least once in Each source is used at least once in

the paperthe paper Info that appears in parentheticals in Info that appears in parentheticals in

paper matches the typing of the paper matches the typing of the entry on WC page (entry on WC page (FacebookFacebook).).

Parenthetical Citations:Parenthetical Citations:

Four or more used in paperFour or more used in paper Wording and typing within the Wording and typing within the

parentheses matches wording and typing parentheses matches wording and typing on WC pageon WC page

Parenthetic citations punctuated correctly:Parenthetic citations punctuated correctly:

According to Facebook’s official website, According to Facebook’s official website, “approximately 80% of the active users “approximately 80% of the active users live outside the United States” live outside the United States” ((FacebookFacebook).).

Quotations and Quotations and Paraphrasing:Paraphrasing:

Each quotation is correctly led into, Each quotation is correctly led into, broken up, or followed by writer’s own broken up, or followed by writer’s own words with smooth, grammatically words with smooth, grammatically correct wordingcorrect wording

No “freestanding” quotationsNo “freestanding” quotations Sentences containing statistics, direct Sentences containing statistics, direct

quotations, dates, (or other specific quotations, dates, (or other specific info not generally known) are followed info not generally known) are followed by parenthetic citationsby parenthetic citations

Sentence Fluency and Word Sentence Fluency and Word Choice:Choice:

No fragments or run-onsNo fragments or run-ons Formal tone: no first or second Formal tone: no first or second

person pronouns, no contractions, no person pronouns, no contractions, no slang (except in direct quotations)slang (except in direct quotations)

Varied sentence patterns Varied sentence patterns Distinct, vivid vocabularyDistinct, vivid vocabulary Transitional words and phrasesTransitional words and phrases Consistent verb tenses!Consistent verb tenses!

Ideas and Content:Ideas and Content:

Opening sentence does NOT contain a Opening sentence does NOT contain a quotation or question and is quotation or question and is interesting/compellinginteresting/compelling

Ideas in intro move smoothly and Ideas in intro move smoothly and logically toward thesis statementlogically toward thesis statement

Thesis statement offers a concession, Thesis statement offers a concession, then reveals topic without listing then reveals topic without listing supporting ideas found in body supporting ideas found in body paragraphsparagraphs

Organization:Organization:

Paragraphs are arranged logically Paragraphs are arranged logically with natural sequencingwith natural sequencing

Transitional words and phrases are Transitional words and phrases are used to move reader through essayused to move reader through essay

No sentences begin with FANBOYS No sentences begin with FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)(for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)

Ideas create a sense of beginning, Ideas create a sense of beginning, middle, and endmiddle, and end

Voice:Voice:

Show enthusiasm and interest in Show enthusiasm and interest in topictopic

Appear in control of topicAppear in control of topic Make your stance/position appear Make your stance/position appear

strong/genuinestrong/genuine

Grammar/Mechanics:Grammar/Mechanics:

Contains no usage errors: pronouns Contains no usage errors: pronouns (one person cannot be called “they,” (one person cannot be called “they,” numbers under one hundred are typed numbers under one hundred are typed as words unless used in direct quotes, as words unless used in direct quotes, proper nouns are capitalized, such as proper nouns are capitalized, such as Facebook.Facebook.

Contains no spelling errors.Contains no spelling errors. Commas, colons, semicolons used Commas, colons, semicolons used

correctlycorrectly Font size is 12 pt., Palatino LinotypeFont size is 12 pt., Palatino Linotype

Grammar/Mechanics, Grammar/Mechanics, continued:continued:

Titles are punctuated correctly:Titles are punctuated correctly:– Italicize: books, films, newspapers, Italicize: books, films, newspapers,

magazines, television titlesmagazines, television titles– Use “quotation marks” for “article Use “quotation marks” for “article

titles,” “short stories,” and “poems”titles,” “short stories,” and “poems”