Write a paper in MLA format pertaining to your topic: How government assistance effects families in both positive and negative ways.

Write a paper in MLA format pertaining to your topic: How government assistance effects families in both positive and negative ways.

Content:

Your research paper must be analytical rather than merely informative. This means that you must make a point (reach a conclusion) rather than merely giving facts about your topic. This guideline affects your approach to the topic and the organization of your paper. Organize by idea, not by topic. Always ask yourself whether a particular section of your paper helps you to make your point. If not, delete it.

Because a research paper is longer than an essay, the introductory paragraph of a research paper may also be somewhat longer than the introductory paragraph of an essay. A good rule of thumb is to make the introduction no longer than one-tenth the length of the total document. If you find that there is essential background information that will make your introduction longer than one-tenth of the total length (in this case, about half a page), then make the background part of the body of the paper. However, do not include background just to take up space! Many papers do not need any background. Also, the introduction may be shorter than one-tenth of the total length.

Because a research paper is considerably longer than an essay, it must be organized by section, not just by paragraph. Each supporting section of your paper must begin with either a transitional sentence or a transitional paragraph that introduces the new idea of the section and shows how that section relates both to the thesis of the entire paper and to the point of the preceding section, if any. (See the document Tips on Writing the Research Paper for more information on transitional sentences and paragraphs.) Each section may consist of several paragraphs, as if it were an essay in itself, and in fact the section should be unified as an essay is. The topic sentences of the paragraphs in the section must support the point of the overall section, just as the point of the section supports the thesis of the whole research paper.

Transitional sentences and topic sentences should be in your own words and should present your own thoughts about the material. Thus, you should not begin a supporting paragraph with a quotation! Use the quotation after your own topic sentence to support your idea. Do not substitute the quotation for your own idea.

Quotations must not be more than 20% of the total length of your paper. A more usual rule is 10%! Quote only when you really need to, either because the quoted passage expresses an idea very well or because you need to analyze the quoted passage (a common occurrence when you are writing about literature). Most of the material that you take from your sources should be paraphrased.

Remember to document (using a parenthetical citation in MLA format) all material that you borrow from your sources that is not common knowledge, whether that material is quoted or paraphrased (put into your own words). Avoid near quotation (changing just a few words in a passage and treating the result as a paraphrase). All opinion (judgment) and specialized information must be documented, even if the material is paraphrased. Enclose quotations in quotation marks or, in the case of quotations over four full typed lines, indent one half inch on the left. Always quote exactly, indicating words left out by using ellipsis points and indicating added words of your own by using brackets. Document a quotation immediately by placing a parenthetical citation at the end of the sentence in which the quote appears. (Yes, all quotations must be documented right away; you cant wait until the end of the paragraph to document them along with the paraphrases in the paragraph.)

Include a Works Cited list in MLA format at the end of the paper.

Your paper must be at least five full pages long. If it is shorter, I will deduct points.

You must use more than one or two sources to write your paper. I expect to see four or more sources on your Works Cited page.

Format:

Your research paper must be double-spaced throughout, including the Works Cited page.

Use 12-point type. Use Times New Roman as the font.

Set all four margins (top, bottom, left, and right) at one inch.

Number the pages. Please do not include your name with the page number.

Use the title page format which I gave you at the beginning of the semester. However, instead of simply naming the type of paper, please give your research paper a title that indicates the exact topic. As a reminder, here is a list of the other information that should appear on the title page: the title of the course, my name, the date you are handing in the paper, and your name.

On the first page of the paper, type the thesis statement at the top of the page. Then include it at the end of your introductory paragraph. If you forget to put the thesis in either place, I will deduct points.

Please include academic sources ONLY

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