Frequent Trouble Spots

for the Argument-and-Research Paper

Basic Information:

  1. All the writing “rules” you have learned before still apply.  You need an introduction and a conclusion.  You need a thesis (and possibly a forecast/directional) statement which clearly identifies your argumentative issue and your position.  You should have a topic sentence in each body paragraph.  You should have only one main idea per paragraph – some longer points may need more than one paragraph.  You should have a clear structure and clear transitions so that your readers can clearly follow your main ideas – your arguments and counterarguments.
  2. Be sure all your points are clearly explained and supported with evidence, but don’t add “fluff” or “padding” or “BS” just to make the paragraph longer.
  3. You may use personal knowledge, experience, or observations in this paper for support and development.
  4. Remember to save time for editing and proofreading—do this on one of your hard copies!  Read backwards (by word and by sentence), point to each word as you read, read out loud, have someone else read it out loud, etc.
  5. Your paper should be at least 1000 words long, and might go up to 1500 words (about 4-6 pages), unless you’ve specifically talked to me about length.  (By this I mean text pages; the Works Cited and Consulted page is not counted).
  6. Remember that, in addition to adding, rearranging, and rewriting, revision includes deleting material.  Be honest with yourself about your writing – if something doesn’t fit or is not necessary, delete it; it might be painful, but it also might make your paper better!

Use of Research Sources:

  1. Remember to double-check ALL summaries, paraphrases, and quotations for accuracy and for correct citations.
  2. Remember to double-check ALL items of common knowledge—ASK: did I find the EXACT SAME information in at least 3 sources?
  3. Beware of too much quotation, and beware of really long quotations—ask me if you are unsure.
  4. You might be able to write this paper entirely without quotes; however, more summaries and paraphrases would then be expected.
  5. I would recommend citing ANY and ALL statistics that you use.
  6. Remember to use square brackets [ ] in quotations if you need to add or change something, such as capitalization, verb tenses, or pronoun references.
  7. Remember to use ellipses dots . . . (3 spaced periods) in quotations if you need to remove something—just don’t change the meaning with your omission.  Also, you do NOT need ellipses dots at the beginning or at the end of a quotation—only when you remove something from the middle.
  8. Do not use summaries, paraphrases, or quotations as “filler”—be sure the reader knows why you have used a summary, paraphrase, or quotation; add your “commentary” after a summary, paraphrase, or quotation – and NEVER end a paragraph with a quotation and no explanation.

MLA In-Text Citations:

  1. Use a “signal phrase” for introducing ALL quotations and any source information (through summary and paraphrase) longer than one sentence—and use a variety of signal phrases.
  2. Use author’s full name the first time he or she is mentioned; only last name after that.
  3. If you quote authorities, include their credentials in your paper.
  4. Ensure accurate punctuation of signal phrases, quotations, and parenthetical citations.
  5. For parenthetical citations, the most common form is author’s last name and page number—e.g., (Rush 76).  No commas and no “p.” or “page” or “pp” or “pg.”  Do not include the date.  If there are no pages numbered, perhaps use (n.pag.) or (“Short Title”) or (Short Title).  The final period goes after the (  ) citation.
  6. Page numbers might be (4) or (4-7) or (4+) or (n.pag.).
  7. If you don’t have an author’s name, of if you have an electronic source without page numbers, use a shortened version of the title, with appropriate underlining/italicizing or quotation marks.  If you don’t have a page number, perhaps use “n.pag.”
  8. See the MLA Handbook for long quotations – more than 4 typed lines long.
  9. Be sure the in-text citations correlate directly to the correct end-of-text citation.

MLA End-of-Text Citations:

  1. Check my handouts, your working bibliography, and the MLA Handbook to ensure the correct formats—including punctuation and mechanics.
  2. Remember to alphabetize the sources—do not use numbers or bullets.
  3. Remember to double-space the entire page.
  4. Remember the correct title of the page – Works Cited and Consulted – and don’t bold, underline, italicize, quote, or enlarge this title.
  5. Remember to use the “reverse indentation” or “hanging indentation.”

Other Issues:

  1. Quotes within a quote: Put “double quote marks” around your quotation; put ‘single quote marks’ around the internal quotation; give credit to the owner in the signal phrase; give credit to the source in the parenthetical citation.
  2. Format your paper according to MLA guidelines—see the handbook.  You MAY use headings and pictures/images in your paper if needed.
  3. You must NOT use “you” at all in this paper.  You can use “I” when appropriate and/or necessary, but be sparing.
  4. If you have several sentences of summary/paraphrase from the same source, use a signal phrase at the beginning and put the parenthetical citation only at the end—NOT after every sentence.
  5. Ideas for Introductions and Conclusions:

Any Other Questions?

  1. See Scott during office hours.
  2. See a tutor in the Writing Center.