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