This document provides guidance on documenting research papers, including avoiding plagiarism, determining when to cite sources, and using MLA and APA citation styles. It addresses citing sources in-text, formatting works cited/references pages, and includes examples of citations for various source types like books, articles, and websites. The document also provides a checklist for writers to ensure their papers meet formatting and citation guidelines.

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14
Documenting a Research Paper

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Learning Outcomes
• Avoiding plagiarism
• Determining when to cite or not cite a
source
• Applying the MLA format for in-text citations
and a works cited page
• Applying the APA format for in-text citations
and a reference page

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Avoiding Plagiarism (LO 14.1)
There are four definitions for plagiarize:
1. To steal and pass off (the ideas or words of
another) as one’s own
2. To use (another’s production) without crediting
the source
3. To commit literary theft
4. To present as new and original an idea or product
derived from an existing source

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Avoiding Plagiarism (LO 14.1)
Unless you are reporting a commonly
known fact or your own original idea,
you must document every source
incorporated into your essay.

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Determining When to Cite or
Not Cite a Source (LO 14.2)
What Doesn’t Need to Be Cited:
• Common knowledge
• Your original research
• Personal experience

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Avoiding Plagiarism (contd.)
What Needs to Be Cited:
• Direct quotes
• Facts that aren’t common knowledge
• Opinions
• Statistics
• Original ideas (not your own)
• Studies and experiments

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Avoiding Plagiarism (contd.)
If you are not sure whether you
need to cite an idea, be cautious
and document the source.
You are better off over-citing
than under-citing.

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MLA Format (LO 14.3)
• Used by many English and humanities
courses.
• Information about the MLA format can
be found at www.mla.org
• Sources must be cited in-text as well as
on a works cited page at the end
of the paper.

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MLA Format (contd.)
In-Text Citations
• Also known as a parenthetical citation
• Include the author’s last name and page
number.
• Use the title of the work if there is no author.
• Vary the way in which you introduce
sources in your paper.

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MLA Format (contd.)
Works Cited Page
• Must be included at the end of
the paper to fully document all sources.
• Alphabetize entries according to authors’
last names.
• If there is no author, begin with the
title (ignoring words such as a and the).

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MLA Format (contd.)
Sample MLA Book Citation:
Author’s Last Name, First Name and Middle
Name or Initial. Title of Book. City of
Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication.
Publication Medium.

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MLA Format (contd.)
Sample MLA Printed Periodical Citation:
Author’s Last Name, First Name and Middle
Name or Initial. “Title of Article.” Name of
Periodical Volume. Issue (Date): Page(s).
Medium.

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MLA Format (contd.)
Sample MLA Electronic Citation:
Author’s Last Name, First Name and Middle
Name or Initial. “Title.” Web Site. Publisher or
Sponsor, Date of Publication. Medium. Access
Date.

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MLA Format (contd.)
Works Cited – Other Sources
• Each type of source has its own
unique format.
• Be sure to provide enough information so
readers can find the source on their own.

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APA Format (LO 14.4)
Writing about an image
• Generally used for courses in the behavioral
sciences.
• Information about the APA format can be
found at www.apa.org.
• Sources must be cited in-text as well as on a
reference page at the end of the paper.

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APA Format (contd.)
In-Text Citations
• Also known as a parenthetical citation
• Include the author’s last name, immediately
followed by the date.
• When using a direct quote, also include the
page number.

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APA Format (contd.)
In-Text Citations (contd.)
• Use the title of the work if there
is no author.
• Vary the way in which you introduce
sources in your paper.

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APA Format (contd.)
Reference Page
• Must be included at the end of the paper to
fully document any sources cited.
• Alphabetize entries according to authors’
last names.
• If there is no author, begin with the title
(ignoring words such as a and the when
alphabetizing).

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APA Format (contd.)
Sample APA Book Citation:
Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Middle
Initial. (Year of Publication). Title of book.
Place of Publication: Publisher.

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APA Format (contd.)
Sample APA Printed Periodical Citation:
Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Middle
Initial. (Date of Publication). Title of article.
Name of Periodical, Volume(Issue), Page(s).

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APA Format (contd.)
Sample APA Electronic Source Citation:
Author’s Last Name, First Initial. Middle
Initial. (Date of Publication). Title of
article. DOI or URL.

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APA Format (contd.)
References – Other Sources
• Each type of source has its own
unique format.
• Be sure to provide enough information so
readers can find the source on their own.

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Writer’s Checklist for a
Research Paper
 1. Does my introduction clearly state my
thesis and give the reader an indication
of the direction my essay will take?
2. Are my topic sentences and body
paragraphs clear and well developed?
3. Have I fully supported my thesis with
ample details and examples?

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Writer’s Checklist for a
Research Paper (contd.)
 4. Have I used a sufficient number and variety
of sources in my paper?
5. Are all of my sources properly cited
in the body of my paper according
to the MLA or APA format?
6. Does my conclusion effectively summarize
my main points and restate my thesis
in different words?

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Writer’s Checklist for a
Research Paper (contd.)
 7. Have I carefully proofread and revised my
paper for sentence variety, word choice,
grammar, and punctuation?
8. Does my works cited or references page
include very source I cited in the text,
and is it in the correct format?
9. Have I used the correct margins, line spacing,
and other format issues required by the MLA or
APA guidelines and my instructor?