• The Research Process

    Step #1. Define the Task

    Step #2. Know what sources you will need:

    Step #3. Collect your resources--online, school library, public library, specialized libraries (e.g. museums), etc..

    Step #4. Read & Take notes

    Step #5. Form Conclusions about what you read & Organize your findings

    Step #6. Evaluate your work

    *Here is a detailed explaination of each step.

    Creating MLA Citations For Your Notes & Works Cited Page* 

    *NEW* NoodleTools
    Cite Book, Web, magazine, newspaper and film sources  instantly. Create noecards and outlines for your research papers.

    Citation Maker Highly Recommended
    Requires students to actively add components for each type of citation. Provides citation generators for print, web and many media sources.

    EasyBib 
    Cite websites, books, magazines, journals and 59 other types of sources.  Not all components of a citation will be provided. Once you provide a URL Address or an ISBN, make sure all missing information is added by you.

    In-text Citations (MLA format)
    Use this resource to help you incorporate citations throughout your writing.

    Other Citation Styles
    From Duke University, this cite gives you the other types of citation styles: includes the APA, Harvard, Turabian, and Chicago styles.

    Sample MLA Annotated Bibliography
    Use this example from the Purdue OWL to format your annotated bibliography.

    Sample Annotated Bibliography
    This sample comes from Cornell University Library. 

    Other Resources

    Worksheets

    Research Index Cards
    This is a Google Slides presentation. Each slide resembles an old fashioned index card. You can write your source citations, direct quotes and a summary/paraphrase of your direct quote on each card. Then arrange your notes into categories so you can write an outline and form a thesis statement.

    Thesis Development
    This resource guides you in developing a thesis statement.  

    How to Develop a Thesis
    From ProQuest, this worksheet helps you work with SIRS Knowledge Source to develop a thesis statement on any topic, and gather the evidence to support your thesis.

    MLA Works Cited Worksheet
    Use this to create your own citations.

    Note-Taking Table
    As you read through your sources, take notes. Use the first column to write the citation of the source (see directly above), the second column to copy and paste important information (don't forget the quotation marks, author's name & page number), and the last column to paraphrase or think about how you can use the information for your project or paper.

    Outline
    Once you have read a number of sources, formed your thesis statement, and collectected your evidence, use this worksheet to organize your thoughts. 

    Tutorials/Games

    Annotating PDF files using a Mac
    This tutorial shows you how you can use Preview to annotate any PDF file. You can write text, underline, highlight and create hyperlinks.

    Avoiding Plagiarism
    Everyone hears of plagiarism, but few know how to avoid it. This interactive game/tutorial will help you learn how to cite your sources and avoid plagiarism.

    The Citation Game
    Play the citation game to learn how to make and test your ability to write an MLA citation for your works cited page. Choose the MLA examples, drag and drop the components of each work in the correct order, and check your answers. 

    Guides & Examples 

    Purdue Online Writing Lab
    Look on the left side to find MLA citation rules and examples

    Sample Paper
    From the Purdue Online Writing Lab. Download the sample paper to see how headings, page numbers, and in-text citations should be written in an MLA paper. The Works Cited page shows how to organize your sources.

    *Always make sure web-generated citations are accurate. Use these resources to check for accuracy:

    MLA Handbook

    Go to FollettShelf, login with your student ID (username and password) and search for the MLA handbook which describes the MLA rules (7th edition) you need to know when writing your papers. Covers topics such as thesis writing, narrowing topics, paper format rules, citation guidelines, and examples. Use this as a guide to make sure Web-generated citations are accurate.