Essay Writing October 27-28, 2015 MLA Conventions Standards: •Type and print your paper on standard, white 8.5 x 11 inch paper •Double-space the text of your paper, and use a legible font (Times New Roman in 12 pt. font) •Use 1 inch margins on all sides Heading: •List your first and last name, teacher’s name, course, and due date in the upper lefthand corner (be sure to use double-spaced text) •Write your last name, followed by a space and page number in the upper right-hand corner Title: •Center the title. Do not underline, italicize, or place your title in quotation marks •Double space between the title and the first line of the text •Indent the first line of each paragraph from the left margin •Italicize titles of books and use quotations for subtitles https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/ Creating a Left-hand Header: Format: First Last Name Teacher’s Last Name Course Due Date Example: Jilianne Adoremos Paik Honors American Lit - P. 3 28 October 2015 Instructions on Creating a Right-hand Header: 1. Insert 2. Page Numbers… 3. Position: Top of Page (Header) 4. Alignment: Right 5. Type Last Name, followed by a space and 1 in the box ☐ (the rest of the pages will automatically be numbered for you) Header: Last Name Space Page Number Title: Centered (DO NOT underline, italicize, or place in bold) Example: Abigail Williams: A Deceitful Mastermind in Salem The Five-Paragraph Essay • A common method for writing an essay is the fiveparagraph approach. The method consists of: oIntroduction - The thesis statement must be one sentence at the end of the introduction oBody Paragraphs that provide evidence followed by analysis - Clear transitions between the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion o Conclusion - Restate the thesis, review key points from each body paragraph, and state the author’s purpose Inserting Quotes • • • • Abigail exclaims, "---" (Miller 51). Judge Danforth questions, “---” (Miller 51) Mary Warren cries, “---” (Miller 51) For example, Miller provides, “---” (51) Note: o Explain quotes without using the following phrases: - This quote means … - This shows … - This is important because … o Refrain from using first or second person (i. e. I think …) Works Cited • Begin your Works Cited page on a separate page at the end of your research paper. • It should have the same one-inch margins and last name, page number header as the rest of your paper. • Label the page Works Cited (do not italicize the words Works Cited or put them in quotation marks) and center the words Works Cited at the top of the page. • Indent the second line of citations by 0.5 inches to create a hanging indent. • Double space all citations, but do not skip spaces between entries. https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/05/ Book Citation Last name, First name. Title of Book. City of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication. Medium of Publication. Author's Name: Title of Book: City of Publication: Publisher: Year of Publication: Medium of Publication: Book Citation Last name, First name. Title of Book. City of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication. Medium of Publication. Author's Name: Arthur Miller Title of Book: The Crucible City of Publication: New York Publisher: Penguin Year of Publication: 1976 Medium of Publication: Print Works Cited Miller, Arthur. The Crucible. New York: Penguin, 1976. Print. Thesis Statement • A clear thesis statement must include a subject(s) and a stance. • Your position, or elements of the thesis will be conveyed in the body paragraphs. Body Paragraphs • Each body paragraph should be limited to the discussion of one idea, and must have some connection to the thesis statement. Transition Words • • • • • Consequently, On the other hand, Furthermore, Moreover, Therefore, Conclusion • Do not introduce any new information in the conclusion; rather, synthesize information from the body paragraphs. o Restate why the topic is important o Restate your thesis o Review key points