How to Write Source Cardsfor Research Papers

The Research Paper

What is a Source Card?

• A source card contains a source you plan to use to strengthen the statements in your paragraph.

• Sources include the following:– Internet– Textbook (The Language of Literature)– Book (from the library) – Periodical/Magazine (from the library)

• Research paper must have at least three different sources which will appear as WORKS CITED entries in the bibliography.

Sample Internet Source Card

Internet

"Macbeth." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia Foundation, Inc. 9 Dec 2007. 10 Dec 2007 <http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Macbeth&oldid=176726711>.

1. Author(s) 2. Name of web site 4. Name of institution/organization affiliated with the site 3. Date last updated or created 5. Date of access 6. <electronic address>.

Sample Textbook Source Card

Textbook

Title of Anthology (textbook).  Edition (if applicable).  Editor(s) name(s) listed Ed., then first name, then last.  City Published (include state if city is unfamiliar): Publisher. Copyright date (most recent).  Pages of selection   

The Language of Literature. Evanston: McDougal Littell. 2006. Pages 323-416

Sample Book Source Card

Frye, Northrop. Fools of Time: Studies in Shakespearean Tragedy. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1967.

Book

Author’s Last Name, First Name Middle Initial. Title of Book. City of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication.

Sample Periodical Source Card

Article Author’s Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Journal Title. Issue Number and or Volume (Publication Year): Pages of Article.

Periodical

Kimbrough, Robert. "Macbeth: Prisoner of Gender," Shakespeare Studies. Vol.16 (1983), pp.175-190.