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A Spartan’s Guide to

Writing Papers

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Table of Contents

Research: Reading & Annotating Before Writing

Library-Approved Research Databases

Other Reliable Resources

Unreliable Resources

Annotating: Marking the Text & Writing in the Margins

How to Mark the Text

The Three Ways to Put Research in Your Writing

Organizing an Essay

Introduction

Part I: HOOK

Part II: Background/Transitional Information

Part III. Thesis Statement

Body Paragraphs

Conclusion

Part I. Restatement of Thesis

Part II. Summary of Key Information

Part III. Clincher

Transitional Expressions

MLA Format

In-Text Citations

Setting Up Your Paper

Quick Reference Sheet

Works Cited Page

Sample Paper

Research: Reading & Annotating Before Writing

Library-Approved Research Databases

Database / Good for… / Login/Password
AZCIS / College and career information / camelbackhs/4azcis02
Cengage/Gale / All subjects / student (password only)
ABC-Clio / World and American history information / phoenixstudent/phoenixstudent
Encyclopedia Britannica / Basic information on any subject (i.e., what you would normally go to Wikipedia for) / phoenixstudent/phoenixstudent
World Book / Basic information on any subject (i.e., what you would normally go to Wikipedia for) / phoenixstudent/phoenixstudent
Ebesco Host / Newspaper and magazine articles on any topic / phoenixstudent/phoenixstudent
Teen Health and Wellness / Diseases and health conditions / phoenixstudent/phoenixstudent
Proquest Health  SIRS Knowledge Source / Current Issues / phoenixstudent/phoenixstudent

Links to all the databases can be found on the library homepage:

Other Reliable Resources

  • Any book available in the library
  • Any website that ends in .gov
  • Any newspaper website that exists in the real world (e.g., The New York Times, The Arizona Republic)
  • Any website linked on the CBHS library webpage

Unreliable Resources - DO NOT USE!

No matter how good your paper is, if you use on of the sources below, it is going in the trash!:

  • Wikipedia
  • Yahoo! Answers or any other question/answer site
  • Any website with animation, bright colors, or crazy fonts

The Three Ways to Put Research in Your Writing

  • Direct Quote
  • Copying someone else’s writing word-for-word
  • Must be in quotation marks or else it is plagiarism
  • Quotes must have context either before or after. Who is saying this? Why are they saying it? Why should we care what they have to say?

Original / In your writing
Students frequently overuse direct quotation in taking notes, and as a result they overuse quotations in the final paper. / When speaking about the problems she saw in her students’ writing, high school teacher Ms. Jones said, “Students frequently overuse direct quotation in taking notes, and as a result they overuse quotations in the final paper” (Lester 5).
  • Summary
  • Reading a larger piece of writing and taking out only the main ideas
  • Must be in your own words

Original / In your writing
Students frequently overuse direct quotation in taking notes, and as a result they overuse quotations in the final [research] paper. Probably only about 10% of your final manuscript should appear as directly quoted matter. Therefore, you should strive to limit the amount of exact transcribing of source materials while taking notes. / Students should take just a few notes in direct quotation from sources to help minimize the amount of quoted material in a research paper (Lester 5).
  • Paraphrase
  • Putting someone else’s ideas into your own words

Original / In your writing
Students frequently overuse direct quotation in taking notes, and as a result they overuse quotations in the final paper. / Students often quote too much when they are researching, which means they end up with too many in their research paper (Lester 5).

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Organizing an Essay

The FLEE Map

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Introduction

The first paragraph of every essay is considered an introduction. There are generally three necessary parts to the introduction including the hook, the background/transitional information, and the thesis statement.

Part I: HOOK

A hook is a statement that opens your essay, making the reader interested in your topic. A hook should arouse the reader’s interest and set the tone. The following are some examples of effective ways to get your readers’ attention.

  1. Quotation

Start with a famous quote that is related to your topic.

Example:“A flute,” wrote an early nineteenth-century British critic,“is a musicalweed which springs up everywhere” (Toff 56).

  1. Framing Generalization

General statement that most people agree with and which includes the information to be presented

Example: Parents, teachers and students generally agree that A-hour classes are a valuable option in meeting credit requirements during high school.

  1. Anecdote/Event/Scenario

Tell a specific event or story that relates to the topic you are exploring.

Example: A parent-teacher meeting was scheduled on Friday for the struggling student. The mother arrived, impeccably dressed, but indifferent to the lack of effort her child was expending in his calculus class. Without commitment from either the mother or the student, the teacher was unable to provide assistance towards graduation.

  1. Definition

Use this only if the definition is not obvious and your essay topic is unfamiliar to a general audience.

Example: Oxford English Dictionary defines “shogunate” as . . . (70).

  1. Statistic or Fact

Start with a statistic or fact from your research that will surprise your readers and make them interested in learning more about your topic.

Example: The Center for Disease Control survey of more than 25,000 adults revealed that 55% do not exercise three times a week . . . (Runner’s World 12).

  1. Description

Paint a picture in your readers’ minds with vivid imagery that will make them visualize and appreciate your topic before learning about it.

Example: It has a body of bronze and wings made from razor blades, and it behaves so much like a bee that it can convince real ones to leave their hive in search of nectar. It is a robot built by Danish and American researchers who study how bees communicate (Scientific American 47).

  1. Mystery/Intrigue

Talk about the subject without specifically naming it. Build up suspense before formally introducing your topic.

Example: One of the deadliest weapons is not a gun, bomb, or knife. It does not require a license or background check to purchase. It is sold in most grocery stores and supermarkets.

8. Metaphor

Make a comparison between your topic and something else to make it obvious to your reader your feelings (positive or negative) on the topic.

Example: Education is the backbone of society. Without it, the structure of a country will become arthritic and destined to be cared for and directed by stronger, more capable entities.

9. Contradiction

Make a statement that tells what your topic is and is not. This is a good way to show that you are familiar with multiple perspectives on the topic.

Example: The traditional family is a fragile structure, but it is still a strong foundation for well-adjusted children. The familial structure needs a great deal of nurturing in order to survive the stresses placed upon it from the bombardment of daily impositions.

10. Dramatic or Eye-opening Statement

Shock your reader with a statement that will emphasize the severity or importance of the topic.

Example: High school is nothing more than an unnecessary stress imposed on teenagers by a conspiracy of adults. At least that is what many, if not most, teens infer when they rail on about the imposition of academia on their all too important social calendars.

Part II: Background/Transitional Information

It may be difficult to distinguish exactly where your attention getter ends and your transitional information begins if the process has been done smoothly and correctly.

This part of your introduction should:

  • Connect your attention getter to your thesis sentence
  • Provide the author and title of the work (if writing about literature)
  • Identify or define unfamiliar terms
  • Introduce your topic (if not specifically named in the hook)
  • Narrow down from a general statement to your specific thesis statement
  • Show the relationship between your hook (which most people can relate to) and your thesis statement (which is unique to your paper)

Part III. Thesis Statement

  • A thesis statement focuses your writing. It tells your reader exactly what your topic is and what each part of your essay will discuss.
  • Your thesis statement is a combination of the topic about which you are writing and your opinion.
  • It must be a complete sentence.
  • Thesis = specific topic + specific opinion
  • It can never be a question!

Examples:

  • A thorough examination of the research reveals that successful students work diligently outside of class, are involved in extracurricular activities, and have supportive adults to mentor and guide them.
  • Sea World has experienced a decrease in guest attendance because of rising ticket prices, inclement weather in the Southern California region, and especially its controversial treatment of its captive animals.
  • Academic talent, diverse campus involvement, and a history of athletic excellence are three key factors influencing the success of high school athletes recruited into college programs.
  • Because of the hardships they have endured and their potential for success, it is imperative that more of the federal budget is spent supporting homeless youth through the creation of free recreational sports programs, easily accessible hot lunch options, and a sustainable mentorship program.

Body Paragraphs

Transition
Topic Sentence
Evidence (summary, quote, or paraphrase from your research showing your thesis is true) (Citation).
Explanation of information (how does it prove your topic sentence?)
Evidence (summary, quote, or paraphrase from your research showing your thesis is true) (Citation).
Explanation of information (how does it prove your topic sentence?)
Evidence (summary, quote, or paraphrase from your research showing your thesis is true) (Citation).
Explanation of information (how does it prove your topic sentence?)
Concluding Sentence / The primary cause of global warming is humans. The burning of coal and fossil fuels are the primary releasers of hazardous greenhouse gases (Jackson 22). Humans are releasing these harmful chemicals into the air everyday, which is creating these problems in the atmosphere. In addition, one naturalist said, “Dealing with global warming doesn't mean we have all got to suddenly stop breathing. Dealing with global warming means that we have to stop waste” (Attenborough).He and other experts seem to agree that global warming is caused by human selfishness and materialism. Lastly, the vast majority of scientists agree thatclimate-change is caused by humans and it only getting worse (Dizon).This consensus shows that people need to stop questioning global warming and start finding solutions.It is important that humans realize their role in the climate-change process, so they can make positive changes for future generations.

For transition words and phrases, see pages10-11.

For how to cite information, see pages 13-15.

Conclusion

The conclusion paragraph must include the following three parts.

Part I. Restatement of Thesis

You should never use exactly the same words in your conclusion as you have used in your introduction. The conclusion must not introduce new material that you have not already discussed in your essay.

Part II. Summary of Key Information

Do not restate all the points you have already made in your essay.Emphasize the most important points you want your reader to remember.

Part III. Clincher

The clincher is a statement at the end of your essay that leaves the reader with something to remember. It should also tie your ideas together, and it need not be only a single sentence, nor only one strategy. Examples of clinchers include the following:

  • A prediction
  • A universal statement about the subject that applies to most people
  • A recommendation or call to action
  • A quotation that is relevant to your topic
  • A conclusion or evaluation drawn from the essay
  • An anecdote or metaphor (If you began your essay with this strategy extend it and finish your essay by wrapping it up with the same thread.)
  • A remaining problem—pointing to future issues if current circumstances are not addressed
  • Do not ask the reader a question!

Transitional Expressions

Transitional expressions help to connect your ideas so that the relationship between ideas is clear to the reader. Here are examples of these expressions.

If you want to… / Try using…
show addition / also, and, and then, as well, besides, beyond that, first (second, third, last, and so on), furthermore, in addition, additionally, moreover, next, what is more, again, equally important, indeed, likewise, plus, together with, or, similarly, jointly, another, equally important, not only… but also
show subtraction / but, nevertheless, still, however, on the other hand, it is true, on the contrary, instead of, against, or, either…or,
less than, different from, other, neither…nor, separately, yet, with the exception, barely, hardly, just, almost, practically, not, in contrast to, instead, although, other than, individually, by groups, even though, after all, and yet, notwithstanding, (at the same time, however), although this may be true, otherwise, on the other hand
show comparison/similarity / also, as well, both, in the same way or manner, likewise, neither, similarly, in comparison,
show contrast/difference / although, be that as it may, but, even though, however, in contrast, nevertheless, on the contrary, on the other hand, yet, whereas, after all, at the same time, conversely, for all that, in spite of that, nonetheless, notwithstanding, still yet,
concede a point or principle / certainly, granted that, of course, no doubt, to be certain, to be sure, surely, it is obvious that, after all, although this may be true, at the same time, naturally,
emphasize an important point / above all, especially, in fact, in particular, one such, indeed, probably, most likely, importantly, most important, of prime or major importance, specifically, mainly, in any event, particularly, specifically, the basic cause, the biggest advantage, the chief factor, principally, especially significant, valuable to note, a key feature, special attention should be paid, a major concern
demonstrate or describe location / above, beside, below, beyond, further, here, herein, inside, near, nearby, next to, on the far side, outside, to the south (west, east, north)
give a reason / as, because, for, since, however, for this reason, for this purpose, to this end, with this object, in order that, ad that, another reason, in response to, why, for
qualify a point / perhaps, maybe, it is possible that, possibly
indicate effect or result / and therefore, because of ____, as a consequence, as a result, consequently, for this reason, hence, therefore, thus, accordingly, hence, in short, then, truly, for this reason, to this end, with this purpose, so that, as determined by, by this, satisfactorily, completely, partially, in part, a number of, there upon, thereby,
summarize points / all in all, finally, in brief, in other words, on the whole, in short, thus, to conclude, to sum up, to summarize, on the whole, for this reason, perhaps, in general, as a result of, supposedly
indicate a point in time / after a while, after, afterward, at last, at this time or at present, briefly, currently, momentarily, during, eventually, finally, gradually, immediately, in the future, later, meanwhile, now, recently, soon, suddenly, when, before, in the meantime, lately, shortly (after), soon, then, while, presently, since, temporarily, thereafter, until, yet at the same time, at length, when, as soon as, as often as, as long as, recently, from…to…, today, in the same period, sometimes, past, initially, erratically, daily, weekly, monthly, etc.
give an example / for example, for instance, in particular, in this manner, namely, that is, to illustrate, in general, for… then, statistically, incidentally, specifically
reiterate an important point / in other words, that is, to put it another way
show frequency / always, constantly, several, usually, often, one or two, many, few, fewer, more, rarely, some, somewhat, only, throughout, each, never, alternately, all, every, any, most, frequently, infrequently, a percentage of
show restriction or uncertainty / provided that, in case that, in the event that, even if, as if, as though, if only
show place or order / beyond, in, at, (all prepositions), opposite to, first, second, third, in relation to, what, where, at first, at the inception (beginning), pre-, in the end, post-, finally, here, there, nearby, adjacent to, on the opposite side, contingent to, over, under, neighboring, juxtaposed/juxtaposition
illustrate a point or idea / as a case in point, as an illustration, for example, for instance, in particular, one such, yet another

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MLA Format

Setting Up Your Paper

Follow these steps to set up your paper before you begin typing.

  1. Click the Home tab and change the font to Times New Roman, size 12.
  2. Click the little arrow by the word Paragraph and change the line spacing to double. Make sure ‘Before’ and ‘After’ are set to “0.”
  3. In the upper left hand corner, type your MLA heading: your name, my name, class name (English 3), and the date (day, month spelled out, full year, no commas).
  4. Click the Insert tab. Click Page Number -> Top of Page. Insert the page number in the right hand corner. Type your last name and a space in front of the page number. Change the font to Times New Roman 12.
  5. Click Page Layout ->Margins. Make sure the margins are set to 1” all around (normal margins).

Shortcut: When you open Microsoft Word and click ‘New’, choose ‘MLA Style Research Paper’. Before typing, check that each of the directions above has been followed.

Quick Reference Sheet