Research Project Writing Tips

Research ProjectWriting Tips

Honors English 9

MLA FormatOIn-Text Citations: author’s last name or first few words of title. Don’t forget quotation marks.Lead in “quote” (“The Change” 1). “quote” my own words are awesome (“The Change” 1).

Think about the Function

OWhat is the function of a thesis statement?

OWhat is the function of a topic sentence?

OWhat is the function of a concluding sentence?

InsightOUse research as starting point. Insight is more important.

OThe nineteenth century saw many changes to daily American life with an increase in population, improved methods of transportation, development in technology, and rise in the importance of science.

Cut the boring partsOUnless you’re writing for personal reasons alone, you need to consider the attention of your reader(s). There’s no point in publishing content that isn’t useful, interesting, or both.

Three Is1. Introduce2. Integrate3. Interpret (before support

sentence)

Good IntegrationLawyers, like Thurgood Marshal, helped influence the case by opposing the Board of Education; and by commenting that “segregation psychologically damaged African American students by lowing their self-worth” (Holt 579).

Quote Only the Good Stuff

Good: “segregation psychologically damaged African American students by lowing their self-worth” (Holt 579).

Bad: “The attack on Pearl Harbor took place on December 7, 1941.”

Be ConsistentOPick One: America or U.S.

OPick One: September 11 or 9/11

ONames: Full Name (first time), Last Name (every time after)

Avoid GeneralizationO“The most devastating event ever…

O“…will never be forgotten by anyone”

OAvoid words like “really”, “actually”, or “extremely” because they make writing too forceful.

Avoid RepetitionODid you already say that…if so, take it out.

ODid you already say that…if so, take it out.

Word ChoiceOPick the right word.

ODon’t use a thesaurus; use your brain.

DatesO1930s (not 1930’s)

OJuly 16 (not July 16th)

Passive VoiceOVerbs are also said to be either active

(The executive committee approved the new policy) or passive (The new policy was approved by the executive committee) in voice. Active Passive They make Fords in

Cologne. Fords are made in Cologne.

Susan is cooking dinner. Dinner is being cooked by Susan

James Joyce wrote "Dubliners".

"Dubliners" was written by James Joyces.

They were painting the house when I arrived.

The house was being painted when I arrived.

Parallel StructureOSee handout…

RemindersOCompleted Rough Draft (tomorrow)OAll paragraphs OAll quotesOWorks Cited

OPeer Edit Sheet

Reminders/ Extra Credit

Friday: +5 points (other category)Monday: +2 points (other category)

Tuesday: DUE DATE!

What to Turn in… (Folder)

ORight Side:OFinal Draft

OHighlight Thesis and Support Sentences

OWork CitedORubric (do not

attach)

OLeft Side:OOutlineOIntro/BP 1ORough

DraftOPeer Edit