Research Paper
Reference Guide
How to use this powerpoint
• This PowerPoint goes through the first 11
aspects of the rubric. If you follow the
directions on here you will receive an A on the
paper.
• First- Read through the prompt again. Make sure
your paper addresses what the prompt is asking
for (research on renaissance topics).
#1- Heading
• 12 pt Times New Roman font
• 1” margins
• Entire paper is ONLY double spaced (including title, header, and
works cited)
• Heading: Top right has last name and page #
Starting Your Paper
• On the first lines of your paper write
• Your Name
• Teacher Name
• Class (Sophomore English)
• Date
• Title should be centered, 12 pt font, and double
spaced. Do not bold, quote, or italicize the title.
#2- Introduction
• The purpose of the introduction is to get the reader’s
attention. You want them to be interested in your subject.
• You could use any of the following to get your reader’s
attention.
• Statistic about your topic (e.g. how many people were
killed in the concentration camp you are studying)
• A very short story about a person who experienced the
situation you are studying.
• An unusual fact about your area of study.
#3- Thesis
• 3 point thesis
• Last sentence of the introduction
• Your thesis should have the 3 main points you are
studying in your paper. All paragraphs in your
paper should link back to your thesis in their
topic sentences.
#4- Fulfilling the Prompt
• At some point in your paper you need to address
the following things
• What examples of the Renaissance are there in
society today?
• Who, what, when, where
• Make sure all of these are clear in your paper.
#5- Body Paragraphs
• 1- Write a topic sentence for each paragraph. It should basically tell your
reader about the main idea of the paragraph and how it links to your
thesis. (e.g. One social practice that contributed to the persecution of
Jews was… Melgele also dehumanized the people he experimented on
by…)
• NOTE: Each paragraph should have at least one quote from your
research. You will probably need more than 5 total sources by the time
you are done with your rough draft.
• Make sure there is a logical progression of ideas. Usually it is best to start
with your most general point and to work to your most specific point.
Body paragraphs continued
• How to create a paragraph
• Topic sentence
•
•
•
•
Information that introduces research
Research
Information that supports research
Conclusion
• Next Paragraph…
• Transition that ties back to thesis and to last paragraph and introduces the new
paragraph.
• Then the same format as above
#6- Transitions
• Make sure that there is a transition between ideas
in the paragraphs. The first sentence of the
paragraph should act as a transition to the new
paragraph and should tie to the thesis.
#7- Quotations
• After each citation needed (direct quote, summary, or
idea from another writer) you will need to put a
parenthetical citation. It should look like this
• (Author last name and page number)
• Example: 85% of Americans thought that an admitted
communist should be stripped of their rights to
citizenship (Peffley 100).
• We’ll edit these later, just put them in for now.
#7 Quotations continued
• Never put in a quote without explaining why
it matters to your argument and how it
proves the point you are trying to make.
• We will work on imbedding quotes later.
• Check DGP for how to punctuate quotes.
#8 Sources
• You need a MINIMUM of 5 sources for this paper.
You will probably need more.
• Check and make sure that you have
• 3 database articles
• 1 print source
• 1 reliable internet source
• Create a proper MLA citation for each source.
#9- Conclusion
• Your conclusion should tie back to the thesis.
• It should answer the question “why does this
matter?’
• Offer solutions to the modern connection or
attitudes that you pointed out in your paper.
• Make sure you don’t add any new quotes or
research here.
#10- Works Cited Page
• Works Cited- You already made some of the citations.
Now use them in the Works Cited.
• 1- Copy and paste them into your rough draft. The works
cited starts on a new page.
• 2- Put them in alphabetical order based on the first
letter of the first word in your citation
• 3- At the top of the page write “Works Cited.” It should
be 12 pt. font, centered, and ONLY double spaced.
#11- Mechanics
• Proofread for punctuation, grammar, and spelling.
• Make sure your paper is at least 5 FULL pages (not including the
works cited)
• Check your formatting
• 1” margins
• 12 pt Times New Roman font
• Entire paper is ONLY double spaced
• Read through your paper and look for any use of “you” or “I.”
Delete it unless it is in a direct quote.
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