Step-by-Step: Research Paper

By: Jasmine Dunkley

1. Apply your heading, whether it by MLA formatting style or APA formatting style.

Ex. MLA formatting Jasmine Dunkley Dr. Griffin English 12

11 April 2014

2. After formatting your document, write the question(s) being asked directly underneath. By keeping the question close you can identify what needs to be answered. 3. Come up with a thesis statement. A thesis statement is a sentence that can basically summarize your entire document and answer the question a. Why is Les Miserables still relevant? i. Individuals dont always match the description given by society. b. If you cannot find a thesis statement gather 3 of your favorite quotes from the novel or source and see how they relate to one another. i. Explain the quotes to a friend. Some can speak better than write. 4. Your first paragraph should hold your thesis statement and what each paragraph holds.

5. Now you are ready to start your body paragraphs. a. The first should not be complete as you have only written the thesis statement. 6. Use transition word(s) to start your next paragraph a. If you do not know what transition words are click the link and find transition words: http://www.centralislip.k12.ny.us/webpages/agriffin/index.cfm?subpage=1845009 7. Then write the main idea of the paragraph 8. Now plug in one of the quotes or facts chosen 9. Go back to the link and find Interpretive lead in. then find one to plug into the paragraph 10. Now relate all of your information back to the thesis statement 11. Create a paragraph with all the above information for each quote or distinct fact from the source a. It should look like this: Transition The main idea of this paragraph is In the text, character says, Quote (Hugo ??). Interpretive lead in... This relates to the thesis because.. 12. For your conclusion restate your thesis statement, summarize the previous paragraphs, and its overall significance.