Research Skills

1.     MLA Format of Bibliography/Works Cited-

Print Source:

Last Name, First Name. Title of Source. City of Publication: Publisher,

         Year of Publication. Medium.

Online Web Source (for an entire website):

Editor, author, or compiler. Name of site. Version Number. Publisher or sponsor, date of

            creation. Medium. Date Accessed. <http://websiteurl.edu/>

Online Web Source (for only one page of a website):

Author or compiler (if available). “Title of Page.” Name of site. Publisher or sponsor, date of

            creation. Medium. Date Accessed. <http://websiteurl.edu/>.

2.     MLA Format of in-text parenthetical citations for sources-

            Print Source:

            (Last Name Pg. #)     Ex. (Smith 4)

            On-line Source:

            (Last Name)    Ex. (Smith)    if no author then (“Title of Webpage”)   Ex. (“ResearchSkills”)

3.     Proper Outline Format

I. Heading

            A. Subheading

                        1. Explanation

                                    a. Details

                                    b. Details

                        2. Explanation

                                    a. Details

                                    b. Details

            B. Subheading

                        1. Explanation

                        2. Explanation

*Remember, parallelism and coordination in your outline.

Parallelism—How do I accomplish this?

Each heading and subheading should preserve parallel structure. If the first heading is a verb, the second heading should be a verb. Example:

I.      CHOOSE DESIRED COLLEGES

II.    PREPARE APPLICATION

("Choose" and "Prepare" are both verbs. The present tense of the verb is usually the preferred form for an outline.)

Coordination—How do I accomplish this?

All the information contained in Heading 1 should have the same significance as the information contained in Heading 2. The same goes for the subheadings (which should be less significant than the headings). Example:

I.      VISIT AND EVALUATE COLLEGE CAMPUSES

II.    VISIT AND EVALUATE COLLEGE WEBSITES

A.    Note important statistics

B.    Look for interesting classes

4.     How to take notes for a research paper

            Two columns, one with facts and information, the other with personal comments

5.     Difference between paraphrase, summary, and direct quotation

            Paraphrasing is rephrasing the words of an author, putting it in your own words

                        -use to avoid overusing quotations

            Summarizing is putting the main idea in your own words and take a broad overview

                        -use when establishing a background or describe common knowledge

            Quoting is using the exact words of an author, word for word

                        -use when you want to add the power of an author’s words

6.     How to format page numbers and heading in MLA

Smith 1

John Smith

Mrs. Wilson

U.S. History

29 May 2013