Research Reports MLA Documentation

How to Write a Research Report SUMMARIZE Don’t copy word-for-word (plagiarism) When copying word-for-word, put quotation marks around what you copied. Then put the author’s name in parenthesis at the end of the sentence. That is called a direct quotation. Example: See handout

Direct Quotations Use a lead-in like: One author states Follow it with a comma then open quotation marks: One author states, “ Write in the sentence you are copying Close quotation marks ” Don’t punctuate the sentence yet In parenthesis, put the author’s name and page number of the sentence you copied. Close parenthesis. **See handout for more info Put the end mark (punctuation) after the parenthesis. **See handout for example.

References At the end of all research reports, a list of references/sources (where you got your information from) is included. List all sources in alphabetical order in a very special, specific format. See handout for more information. When conducting research, write down all copyright information from every source you get information from.

References List any of this information that pertains to your source: –Author’s name –Editor’s name –Name of book/encyclopedia –Name of article or chapter –Page numbers –Copyright year –Place of publication –Publishing company –Web address –Name of Website

Reference List To list references/sources, start a new page. Center the words “Works Cited” at the top of the page. hanging indentionUse a hanging indention and start with your first source, alphabetized by author’s last name. (If no author, use the editor’s name, if no editor, use the title of the book or article.)

Reference List Skip a line/double space between each source. See the handout for an example. –Most of you will be using the ones on the example: Books, encyclopedias Internet articles, Internet sites –BUT some of you will have ones that are a little bit different and more difficult to cite. If your source does not fit into the types I describe, bring the source to me and I’ll help you figure it out.

In conclusion: Points of Fact You should ASK ME if you are uncertain about anything!!! Typing is wonderful, but only if done carefully. PLEASE reread what you have typed before you print!!! Always save your writing so you can go back and make changes without retyping it. I will read and fix these like always so either handwrite the copy I read or make sure you have it saved so you can make the changes.

If you are STILL confused, don’t STRESS! I’m here to help