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MLA RESEARCH PAPER SCHEDULE OF TASKS (ABBREVIATED) Brought to you by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab The Preliminaries ___ 1. Choose a topic ___ 2. Begin preliminary reading ___ 3. Restrict the subject ___ 4. Develop a preliminary thesis statement Gathering Data ___ 5. Compile the working bibliography ___ 6. Prepare the bibliography on cards in correct form (3" x 5" cards) ___ 7. Begin extensive work in the library reference room; be sure to check: ___ a. general bibliographies ___ b. trade bibliographies ___ c. indexes (books and collections, literature in periodicals, newspaper indexes, (pamphlet indexes) ___ d. library electronic catalogue Taking Notes ___ 8. Develop a preliminary outline ___ 9. Evaluate your source material; which is primary material and which is secondary material? ___ 10. Begin note-taking on cards (4" x 6" cards) ___ 11. Avoid plagiarism Writing the Paper ___ 12. Develop the final outline; test your outline ___ 13. Prepare to write: ___ a. put your note cards in the order that your outline is in ___ b. consider your (real and imagined) readers and how their expectations may affect your tone and style ___ 14. Write the rough draft ___ 15. Check your documentation carefully ___ 16. Revise and rewrite ___ 17. Check the format of the text, citations, notes, and bibliography (most instructors recommend MLA or APA format) ___ 18. Proofread Most of this format is based on the process described by James D. Lester in Writing Research Papers: A Complete Guide, 2nd ed. (1971; rpt. Glenview, Illinois: Scott, Foresman, 1976).
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Research Writing Process: Limiting and Expanding the Topic Evaluating Web Sites: A Guide for Writers Thesis Statement for Research Paper MLA |