1 Basic Information about the Research Paper 3
1 a Hatred of the research paper 3
1 b Definition of the research paper 3
1 c Format of the research paper 4
1 d Reasons for the research paper 5
1 e The report paper and the thesis paper 5
1 f Drafts of the research paper 6
1g Writing the research paper：Steps and schedule 9
2 Choosing a Topic 13
2a How to choose a topic 13
2b Topics to avoid 15
2b-1 Topics that are too big 15
2b-2 Topics based on a single source 15
2b-3 Topics that are too technical 15
2b-4 Topics that are trivial 16
2b-5 Topics that are too hot 16
2c Narrowing the topic 17
3 The Library 21
3a Layout of the library 21
3a-1 The computer 21
3a-2 Online full-text databases 23
3a-3 Microform indexes 24
3a-4 Stacks 24
3a-5 Reserve room or shelf 25
3a-6 Main desk 25
3a-7 Reserve desk 25
3a-8 Audiovisual room 25
3a-9 Microform room 26
3a-10 Newspaper racks 26
3a-11 Computer room 27
3a-12 Carrels 27
3b Organization of the library collections 27
3b-1 The Dewey Decimal System 28
3b-2 The Cutter-Sanborn Author Marks 29
3b-3 The Library of Congress Classification System 30
3b-4 Classification of periodicals 31
3b-5 Classification of nonbooks 33
4 Using the Computer in Your Research 37
4a Computers and the research paper 37
4b The Internet 38
4b-1 The World Wide Web 38
4c Online resources 39
4c-1 Databases 39
4c-2 Electronic journals 39
4c-3 Online public-access catalogs（OPACs） 39
4c-4 Blogs and social networks 40
4d Researching with search engines 41
4d-1 Finding a search engine 42
4e Usenet，Listserv，telnet，and gopher 42
4f Evaluating Internet sources 43
4f-1 Where was the information found？ 43
4f-2 Who wrote it？ 44
4f-3 Who publishes it？ 44
4f-4 What are the writer’s sources？ 44
4f-5 What tone does the writer use？ 45
4f-6 What do the writer’s contemporaries have to say？ 45
4f-7 What is the writer’s motive？ 45
4f-8 What is the context of the writer’s opinion？ 45
4g Running a search 46
4h Useful Internet sites 47
5 Doing the Research 51
5a What information to look for 51
5a-1 Single-fact information 51
5a-2 General information 51
5a-3 In-depth information 52
5b Where to look for information 52
5b-1 General indexes 53
5b-2 Specialized indexes 54
5b-3 Using interviews and surveys 57
5b-4 Corresponding by e-mail 57
5b-5 Attending lectures，concerts，or art exhibits 58
5c Assembling a working bibliography 58
5d Selecting your sources：Skimming 60
5d-1 Primary and secondary sources 61
5d-2 Evaluating sources 61
5e Note-taking 63
5e-1 Using the computer to take notes 64
5e-2 Using a copy machine to take notes 65
5e-3 Kinds of notes 65
a.The summary 65
b.The paraphrase 66
c.The quotation 66
d.The personal comment 68
5f Plagiarism and how to avoid it 69
6 The Thesis and the Outline 75
6a The thesis：Definition and function 75
6a-1 Formulating the thesis 76
6a-2 Rules for wording the thesis 77
6a-3 Placing the thesis 79
6a-4 Choosing a title 80
6b The outline 81
6b-1 Visual conventions of the outline 81
6b-2 Equal ranking in outline entries 82
6b-3 Parallelism in outline entries 82
6b-4 Types of outlines 83
a.The topic outline 83
b.The sentence outline 84
c.The paragraph outline 85
d.Decimal outline notation 86
6c Choosing an outline form 87
7 Transforming the Notes into a Rough Draft 91
7a Preparing to write the rough draft：A checklist 91
7b Writer’s block 91
7c Writing with a computer 91
7c-1 Overdoing it 92
7c-2 Using a spell-checker 92
7d Using your notes in the paper 92
7d-1 Summaries and paraphrases 92
7d-2 Direct and indirect quotations 93
7d-3 Using brief direct quotations 94
7d-4 Using long quotations 95
7d-5 Using quotations from poetry 97
7d-6 Using a quotation within another quotation 98
7d-7 Punctuating quotations 98
7d-8 Handling interpolations in quoted material 99
7d-9 Using the ellipsis 99
7d-10 Overusing quotations 102
7d-11 Personal commentary 103
7e How to use quotations to explore and discover 104
7f Writing with unity，coherence，and emphasis 105
7f-1 Unity 105
7f-2 Coherence 106
7f-3 Emphasis 108
7g Using the proper tense 108
7h Using graphics in your research paper 109
7i Writing the abstract 115
8 Revising Your Rough Draft 119
8a Principles of revision 119
8a-1 Rereading your writing 119
8a-2 Revising the paper from biggest to smallest elements 119
8b Revising the opening paragraph 120
8b-1 Revising the introduction 121
a.Use a quotation 121
b.Ask a question 121
c.Present an illustration 122
8b-2 Check that your paragraphs follow the sequence of topics in the thesis 122
8b-3 Revising the body paragraphs 123
8b-4 Check paragraph transitions 124
8c Revising sentences for variety and style 125
8c-1 Revise sentences to use the active voice 126
8c-2 Revise to use an appropriate point of view 128
8c-3 Revise sexist language 129
8d Revising words：Diction 130
8d-1 Revise diction for accuracy and exactness 131
8d-2 Revise the overuse of phrases for subjects instead of single nouns 132
8d-3 Revise redundant expressions 133
8d-4 Revise meaningless words and phrases 133
8d-5 Revise snobbish diction 134
8e Rules for Writers.Not. 134
9 The MLA System of Documentation 139
9a Parenthetical documentation：Author-work（MLA） 139
9a-1 What to document 140
9a-2 Guidelines for in-text citations 140
9b Format for “Works Cited”（MLA） 144
9b-1 General order in references to books 145
a.Author 146
b.Title 147
c.Name of editor，compiler，or translator 147
d.Edition（other than first） 147
e.Series name and number 147
f.Volume number 148
g.Publication facts 148
h.Page numbers 149
i.Medium of publication 149
9b-2 Sample references to books 149
a.Book by a single author 149
b.Book by two or more authors 149
c.Book by a corporate author 149
d.Book by an anonymous or pseudonymous author 150
e.Work in several volumes or parts 150
f.Work within a collection of pieces，all by the same author 150
g.Collections：Anthologies，casebooks，and readers 151
h.Double reference—a quotation within a cited work 151
i.Reference works 151
j.Work in a series 151
k.Reprint 152
l.Edition 152
m.Edited work 152
n.Book published in a foreign country 152
o.Introduction，preface，foreword，or afterword 153
p.Translation 153
q.Book of illustrations 153
r.Foreign title 153
9b-3 General order in references to periodicals 153
a.Author 153
b.Title of the article 154
c.Publication information 154
d.Pages 155
e.Medium of publication 155
9b-4 Sample references to periodicals 155
a.Anonymous author 155
b.Single author 155
c.More than one author 155
d.Journal with continuous or separate pagination 156
e.Monthly magazine 156
f.Weekly magazine 156
g.Newspaper 157
h.Editorial 157
i.Letter to the editor 157
j.Critical review 157
k.Published interview 157
l.Published address or lecture 158
9b-5 References to electronic sources 158
9b-6 General order in references to electronic sources 158
9b-7 Sample references to electronic sources 159
a.Abstract online or on CD-ROM 160
b.CD-ROM 160
c.Computer program 160
d.Corporate website 160
e.E-mail 160
f.FTP source 160
g.Gopher 160
h.Government website 161
i.Electronic mailing list 161
j.MOOs and MUDs（synchronous communication） 161
k.Online book 161
l.Online database 161
m.Online dictionary 161
n.Online encyclopedia 162
o.Online magazine article—author listed 162
p.Online magazine article—no author listed 162
q.Telnet 162
r.Usenet 162
s.Website—author listed 162
t.Website—no author listed 162
9b-8 Sample references to nonprint materials 162
a.Address or lecture 162
b.Artwork 163
c.Film，videotape，or DVD 163
d.Interview 164
e.Musical composition 164
f.Radio or television program 165
g.Sound recording（compact disc or tape） 165
h.Performance 166
9b-9 Sample references to special items 167
a.Artwork，published 167
b.The Bible and other sacred writings 167
c.Classical works in general 167
d.Dissertation 168
e.Footnote or endnote citation 168
f.Manuscript or typescript 168
g.Pamphlet or brochure 169
h.Personal letter 169
i.Plays 169
j.Poems 170
k.Public documents 171
l.Quotation used as a source 172
m.Report 173
n.Table，graph，chart，map，or other illustration 173
9c Content notes 174
9c-1 Content note explaining a term 175
9c-2 Content note expanding on an idea 175
9c-3 Content note referring the reader to another source 175
9c-4 Content note explaining procedures 175
9c-5 Content note acknowledging help 176
9c-6 Content note consolidating references 176
9d Finished form of the MLA paper 176
9d-1 Appearance 176
9d-2 Title page 176
9d-3 Abstract 177
9d-4 Pagination and headings 177
9d-5 Spacing of text 178
9d-6 Font 178
9d-7 Illustrations，tables，and other graphics 178
a.Tables 179
b.Other illustrative materials 180
9d-8 Use of numbers 183
9d-9 Bibliography（titled “Works Cited”） 183
9e Peer review checklist 184
9f Submitting your paper electronically 184
10 The APA System of Documentation 187
10a Parenthetical documentation：Author-date（APA） 187
10a-1 Examples of APA in-text citations to books 188
a.One work by a single author 188
b.Subsequent references 188
c.One work by two authors 188
d.One work by three to five authors 189
e.Work by six or more authors 189
f.Corporate author 190
g.Works by an anonymous author or no author 191
h.Authors with the same surname 191
i.Two or more works in the same parentheses 191
j.References to specific parts of a source 192
k.Personal communications 192
l.Citation as part of a parenthetical comment 193
10a-2 Avoiding clutter in the text 193
10b Format for“ References”（APA） 193
10b-1 General order for books in “References” 194
10b-2 Sample references to books 195
a.Book by a single author 195
b.Book by two or more authors 195
c.Edited book 195
d.Translated book 196
e.Book in a foreign language 196
f.Revised edition of a book 196
g.Book by a corporate author 196
h.Multivolume book 197
i.Unpublished manuscript 197
10b-3 General order for periodicals in “References” 197
10b-4 Sample references to periodicals 198
a.Journal article，one author 198
b.Journal article，up to six authors 198
c.Journal article，paginated anew in each issue 198
d.Journal with continuous pagination throughout the annual volume 199
e.Magazine article，magazine issued monthly 199
f.Magazine article，magazine issued on a specific day 199
g.Newspaper article 199
h.Editorial 200
i.Letter to the editor 200
j.Review 200
10b-5 Sample references to electronic sources 200
a.Abstract online 201
b.CD-ROM 201
c.Computer program 202
d.Corporate website 202
e.E-mail 202
f.FTP source 202
g.Gopher 202
h.Government website 202
i.Electronic mailing list（Listserv） 203
j.MOOs and MUDs（synchronous communication） 203
k.Online book 203
l.Online database 203
m.Online dictionary 203
n.Online encyclopedia 203
o.Online magazine article—author listed 204
p.Online magazine article—no author listed 204
q.Telnet 204
r.Usenet 204
s.Website—author listed 205
t.Website—no author listed 205
u.Message posted to a group 205
10b-6 Sample references to nonprint materials 205
a.Motion picture 205
b.Audio recording（cassette，record，tape，compact disc） 206
10b-7 Sample references to special items 206
a.Government documents 206
b.Legal references 207
c.A report 208
10c Writing the abstract 208
10d Finished form of the paper 209
10d-1 Two kinds of APA papers：The theoretical and the empirical 209
10d-2 Appearance of the final copy 210
a.Outline 210
b.Title page 210
c.Abstract 211
d.Text 212
e.Content notes and endnotes 212
f.Illustrations：Tables and figures 212
g.Use of numbers 214
h.Using the right tense 214
i.Bibliography（titled “References”） 217
10e Peer review checklist 218
10f Submitting your paper electronically 218
11 The Traditional System of Documentation（CMS） 221
11a Footnotes and endnotes 221
11a-1 Formatting of notes 221
11a-2 Rules for numbering the notes 223
11a-3 Sample footnote references to books 224
a.Single author 225
b.More than one author 225
c.Work in several volumes or parts 225
d.Collections：Anthologies，casebooks，and readers 226
e.Double reference—a quotation within a cited work 226
f.Edition 226
g.Translation 227
11a-4 Sample footnotes for periodicals 227
a.Anonymous author 227
b.Single author 227
c.More than one author 227
d.Journal with continuous pagination in the annual volume 227
e.Journal with separate pagination for each issue 228
f.Monthly magazine 228
g.Weekly magazine 228
h.Newspaper 228
i.Editorial 229
j.Letter to the editor 229
11b Subsequent references in footnotes and endnotes 229
11c Electronic sources 230
11d Finished form of the paper 231
11d-1 Abstract 232
11d-2 Pagination and text format 232
11d-3 Content or reference notes 232
11d-4 Illustrations：Tables and figures 233
a.Tables 233
b.Other illustrative materials 233
11d-5 Use of numbers 234
11d-6 Bibliography 235
11e Peer review checklist 235
11f Submitting your paper electronically 236
12 Sample Student Papers 239
12a Paper using author-work documentation（MLA） 239
12b Paper using author-date documentation（APA） 251
12c Paper using footnote documentation（CMS） 265
APPENDICES 271
A Mechanics 271
A1 Numbers and dates 271
A1-a Percentages and amounts of money 271
A1-b Inclusive numbers 272
A1-c Roman numerals 272
A1-d Dates 272
A2 Titles 273
A2-a Titles in italic 273
A2-b Titles in quotation marks 275
A2-c Titles within titles 277
A2-d Frequent references to a title 277
A3 Italic and underlining 277
A4 Names of people 278
A5 Hyphenating words 279
A6 Spaces and punctuation marks 280
A7 Foreign-language words 280
A8 Abbreviations 281
A8-a Commonly used abbreviations 281
A8-b The Bible 285
A8-c Shakespeare 287
A8-d Days and months 287
A8-e States and U.S.territories 288
A8-f Publishers’ names 288
A8-g Abbreviations 291
A9 Spelling 291
B General and Specialized References，an Annotated List 293
B1 A list of general references 293
B1-a Sources that list books 293
B1-b Sources that list periodicals and newspapers 294
B1-c Sources about general knowledge 297
B1-d Encyclopedias 297
B1-e Sources about words：Dictionaries 297
B1-f Works about places 299
B1-g Works about people 299
B1-h Resources about government publications 302
B1-i Sources about nonbooks（nonprint materials） 303
B2 A list of specialized references 306
B2-a Art 306
B2-b Business and economics 308
B2-c Dance 310
B2-d Ecology 311
B2-e Education 311
B2-f Ethnic studies 312
B2-g High technology 314
B2-h History 315
B2-i Literature 317
B2-j Music 320
B2-k Mythology，classics，and folklore 322
B2-l Philosophy 323
B2-m Psychology 324
B2-n Religion 325
B2-o Science 326
B2-p Social sciences 327
B2-q Women’s studies 327
Credits 329
Index 333
