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The Research Paper Format
The process of writing a research paper is not very
different from the process of writing any other paper. You
much choose a suitable subject and a clear purpose, gather
information, organize the writing, and revise. Unlike some
other papers, research papers do not always develop in a
sequence; writers must retrace steps or sometimes even start
over and over again.
I expect effective use of the library resources, internet
resources, etc. You must also paraphrase, summarize and
quote sources accurately using MLA or APA styles (the
system of citations and references for this class). You cannot
use both. You must use one or the other.
Your research paper may take any of the following
approaches:
• Answer a question, present an argument, or
survey literature
• Your topic must be on something related to
African American Literature of African American
History. (person, event, etc.)
• A list of possible topics is within your class
module. You do not have to choose any of these
topics. You can come up with a topic of your own
choosing, but it must be related to African
American Literature or African American History.
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Please refer to any updated Handbook for information
about the research paper and the MLA or APA styles
for documentation. This information may also be obtained
from an internet search.
Listed below is the layout of the Research Paper: (Other details may be given.)
Special Note: I do understand that with some documentation
styles, the title page and outline pages are not required.
These are pages I am personally requesting for this class.
Much Success!
Jones 1
Be sure to do the
following:
…Number your
pages
…Use proper
documentation.
…Use font size 12 or 14
…Double space
Note: Once your final
topic has been approved,
you cannot change your
topic, without having a
letter graded dropped
from your final paper’s
grade.
Jones 2
Works Cited or
Bibliography
…Your sources will be
listed on this page.
..A minimum of 4
sources are required for
your research paper.
The body of your paper
should be a total of 5-7
pages. This does not
include the title page,
outline page, and works
cited/bibliography
page.
Thesis: (one sentence
– main idea)
I.
II.
A.
B.
III.
A.
B.
IV.
V.
(Use a sentence or
topic outline.)
The outline is the
layout of your paper.
It is the reader’s map
before reding the
paper. Your paper
should follow the
map.
Title
(You may include
graphics on this
page.)
By
Your Name
Dr. Muriel Fuqua
Professor
Class/Sec:
Date:
Research Paper
Jones 3
Note:
If you decide to include
charts, graphs, pictures,
etc. you can only include
that information as an
appendix or addendum. It
will not count as a page of
the body if you include
these within the body.
