Research and Writing:A Step-by-Step Process

An English/Reading Workshop for Troy University (Main Campus)

Student Support Services participants

A Basic Approach

Invention Collection (Researching) Organization (Outlining) Drafting Revising Proofreading

Slide Retrieved October 25, 2006, at http://www.libarts.ucok.edu/english/comp/powerpoint/ResearchProcess.ppt#258,3,BORING!!

The Soul of Research

•Collection (Researching)(Develop an Annotated Bibliography)

•Organization (Outlining)

•Drafting (Composing)You return to this concept later

in this presentation.

Research Resources

The Internet can be a great research resource.

However, with the Internet, you risk collecting information that may not (yet) be validated.

Source: OWL

web site: owl.english.

purdue.edu

Finding Scholarly Journal Articles at Troy University Online Library

1) Go to http://troy.edu/

2) Click Library. (left column of web page)

3) Click Campus Libraries > Troy Campus Library

4) Click Online Database.

5) Select a Subject area. (Ex: Humanities; Social Sciences; etc.)

6) Double click on a database.

7) Type in your topic as prompted.

Other Research Resources Scholarly Journals (Journal Articles)

Government-issued Reports / Publications

Printed, edited documents, such as textbooks or manuals.

Personal Interviews

Lectures / Speeches

CDs and other audiovisual resources

APA and MLA Format

APA Format – mainly for presenting social science research and research reviews

MLA Format – mainly for presenting research on English, literature, and language arts

APA and MLA . . .

Two research format and documentation styles that college writers should know.

Modern Language Association (MLA) style format

American Psychological Association (APA) format.

Information available at the online Troy University Writing Center web page

Avoiding Plagiarism

Using the APA or MLA style can help you avoid plagiarism.

Plagiarism is an offense with serious consequences.

Failure of the assignment. Expulsion from school.

First, The APA Format . . .

•Title Page with Running Header

•Paper Abstract of 150 words of less

•Body of Essay with appropriate subject headings

•Reference Page

APA Style Requires . . . Reference Page

List of all sources used in your paper

Parenthetical Citations Includes the author’s last name, year of publication, and page number (if you present a direct quote from your source).

Most reference page citations contain this basic information:

Author’s last name, first and middle initial

Publication Year Article title Title of work (italicize or underline) Title of Web Page City of Publication Publishing Company Retrieval Date Website address

APA Reference Citations

A Sample APA Reference Page

Research Writing 15

References

American Psychological Association. (2001). Publication Manual of the

American Psychological Association (5th ed.). Washington, DC:

Author.

Beers, M. H., & Berkow, R. (1999). Mood disorders. In The Merck manual of

diagnosis and therapy (17th ed., sec. 15, chap. 189). Retrieved

January 17, 2003, from http://www.merc.com/ pubs

Be sure to consult the latest edition of the Publication Manual of the APA for instructions on citing different types of sources.

Next, the MLA Format . . . • Usually requires no title page.

• First page has at left margin . . .

the paper author’s full name; instructor’s name; course number; and the date in military form.

• The title of the paper is centered on the first page.

• The paper has a running header flush at the right margin, which

includes the paper author’s last name and the page number inserted.

• The last page is the Works Cited page.

o Paper size -- 8.5 inches x 11 inches.

o Page margins -- (1) inch on all sides.

o Text -- double-spaced.

o Parenthetical citation – follows any direct quotation and looks like this: (Jones 55) -- Author’s last name

and page number.

o Paragraph -- indent five (5) spaces from left margin.

o Block quotes -- indent five (5) to ten (10) spaces from left margin.

MLA Format

MLA Sample (Page 1)

John Doe

Dr. Smith

English 1120

15 May 2006

Kate Chopin’s Antagonized

Protagonists in “The Story of an Hour”

In one of her best known short stories, Kate Chopin

presents Louise Mallard, a woman who feels both blessed and

Use one-inch margins.

Double space text.

Do not put a header on page 1.

Do not include a title page.

MLA Sample (after page 1)

Doe 1

After hearing of the news that her husband is dead, Louise

begins to behave in an unexpected manner. She begins to

rejoice at a time when others in similar circumstances might

begin to grieve. She declares her self to be “free,” (Chopin, 2)

which to readers that Louise previously felt . . .

Use one-inch margins.

Include a header flush with right margin.

Double space text.

Indent five (5) spaces

Doe 1

Works Cited

“Essay.” Webster’s II Dictionary. 3rd. ed. 2005.

Hacker, Diane. A Pocket Style Manual. 4th ed. Boston:

Bedford/ St. Martin’s, 2004.

Be sure to consult the latest edition of the MLA Handbook for instructions on citing different types of sources.

MLA Sample (Works Cited page)

Remember: The Soul of Research?

•Collection (Researching)

•Organization (Outlining)

•Drafting

See video, if available -- “Avoiding the Research Paper Blues,” by Educational Video Network.

Workshop Activity

Please see Handout.

Please complete and submit handout before leaving workshop.

Please complete evaluation form and return to workshop instructor before you leave today.

Conclusion

SSS hopes this presentation has given you some useful information.

Feel free to suggest any other topics that you would like to see presented. Stop in the Office located in 24 Eldridge Hall or Phone: 334-670-5985.

Have a great learning experience here at Troy University.