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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.