English 9 Unit 9 Review: Research Skills and MLA Format

What's This Unit About?

• Focuses on developing essential research skills for academic writing
• Covers the fundamentals of conducting research, evaluating sources, and documenting information
• Introduces the Modern Language Association (MLA) format for citing sources and formatting papers
• Emphasizes the importance of academic integrity and avoiding plagiarism
• Provides a foundation for future research projects and assignments throughout high school and beyond
• Helps students become critical thinkers and effective communicators in the digital age
• Prepares students to engage with a wide range of sources, including books, articles, and online resources

Key Research Concepts

• Research is a systematic investigation to establish facts, solve problems, or gather information on a specific topic
• Primary sources are original materials (interviews, letters, diaries) that provide firsthand evidence or direct accounts
• Secondary sources analyze, interpret, or discuss information from primary sources (textbooks, articles, biographies)
• Plagiarism is using someone else's words or ideas without proper attribution, which is a serious academic offense
• Paraphrasing involves restating information in your own words while maintaining the original meaning
  • Requires a citation to acknowledge the original source
• Summarizing condenses the main points of a larger text into a brief overview
  • Also requires a citation to credit the original source
• Quoting is using the exact words from a source, enclosed in quotation marks
  • Must be accompanied by a citation and used sparingly to support arguments or provide evidence

Finding Reliable Sources

• Evaluate sources for credibility, accuracy, and relevance to your research topic
• Look for sources from reputable publishers, organizations, or institutions (universities, government agencies, well-known media outlets)
• Check the author's credentials and expertise in the subject area
• Ensure the information is up-to-date and appropriate for your research needs
• Use library databases and academic search engines to access scholarly articles and peer-reviewed journals
• Consult reference librarians for guidance on finding reliable sources specific to your topic
• Be cautious of sources with biased language, unsupported claims, or lack of citations
• Verify information from multiple sources to corroborate facts and arguments

MLA Format Basics

• MLA is a standardized format for documenting sources and formatting academic papers
• Papers are typed in a legible font (Times New Roman), 12-point size, and double-spaced
• One-inch margins on all sides of the page
• A header with your last name and page number appears in the top right corner of each page
• The first page includes a heading with your name, instructor's name, course title, and date (left-aligned, double-spaced)
• The paper's title is centered below the heading, without underlining, bolding, or quotation marks
• Indent the first line of each paragraph one half-inch (5 spaces or press tab once)
• Use italics for titles of longer works (books, films) and quotation marks for shorter works (articles, poems)

In-Text Citations

• In-text citations acknowledge the sources of information used within the body of your paper
• Include the author's last name and the page number in parentheses at the end of the sentence, before the period (Smith 23)
• For sources with no known author, use a shortened title in quotation marks ("Article Title" 45)
• When citing multiple works by the same author, include a shortened title to distinguish them (Smith, "Article Title" 23)
• For sources without page numbers (websites), use paragraph numbers or section headings (Smith, par. 7)
• If the author's name is mentioned in the sentence, only include the page number in parentheses
• For quotes longer than four lines, use a block quote: indent the entire quote one half-inch, omit quotation marks, and place the citation after the period

Works Cited Page

• The Works Cited page appears at the end of your paper and lists all the sources cited in your text
• Center the title "Works Cited" at the top of a new page (without bolding, underlining, or quotation marks)
• Arrange entries alphabetically by the author's last name or the first word of the title (if no author)
• Use a hanging indent for each entry: the first line is flush with the left margin, and subsequent lines are indented one half-inch
• Capitalize each word in titles of sources, except for articles, prepositions, and conjunctions (unless they are the first word)
• Italicize titles of longer works (books, journals) and use quotation marks for shorter works (articles, essays)
• Include the medium of publication at the end of each entry (Print, Web, DVD)
• For web sources, provide the URL (omitting "https://") and the date of access in day, month, year format (Accessed 1 Jan. 2023)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Failing to cite sources properly or omitting citations altogether, which may be considered plagiarism
• Relying too heavily on direct quotations instead of paraphrasing or summarizing information
• Using sources that are not credible, relevant, or appropriate for the assignment
• Inconsistent formatting or not following MLA guidelines for the Works Cited page or in-text citations
• Misquoting sources or taking information out of context
• Citing sources incorrectly or providing incomplete information in the Works Cited entries
• Not proofreading the final paper for errors in formatting, spelling, or grammar
• Procrastinating on the research process or starting the assignment too close to the deadline

Putting It All Together

• Begin the research process early to allow ample time for finding and evaluating sources
• Develop a clear thesis statement or research question to guide your investigation
• Create an outline to organize your ideas and structure your paper effectively
• Integrate sources seamlessly into your writing, using signal phrases and transitions
• Balance your own ideas with evidence from sources to support your arguments or findings
• Use in-text citations consistently throughout the paper, following MLA guidelines
• Compile a Works Cited page with complete and accurate entries for all sources used
• Revise and edit your paper for clarity, coherence, and adherence to MLA format
• Proofread carefully for any errors or inconsistencies before submitting the final draft
• Seek feedback from peers, tutors, or instructors to improve your research and writing skills