Where to Get a Solid Example of an MLA Research Paper
An MLA research paper utilizes a type of formatting style that is commonly used in the humanities. Like many writing styles, MLA uses in-text citations and a bibliography. Students who are new to using MLA style should spend some time reading up on it. For many students, reading example research papers is the best way to become familiar with how MLA works. Information that would be confusing in a style guide is much easier to understand when students see it in action.
Ask a Teacher
One of the easiest ways to figure out MLA style is to ask the teacher or professor. If they are assigning an MLA research paper, then they probably have examples of strong research papers that students can read. This option is one of the best because it allows the student to see a writing style and format that the teacher prefers. Since opinions vary from teacher to teacher, knowing exactly what the teacher wants in advance is a great way to ensure the best grade.
Look Online
There are hundreds and thousands of MLA research papers available online. A quick search of the web reveals full-text versions of research papers. Obviously, these papers are about a variety of different subjects. To get a clearer idea of exactly what is expected, students will need to find an example of MLA research paper from the exact subject.
Be Wary of Citations
One of the hardest things about writing an essay is remembering how to correctly site a source. Students should keep in mind the writer's rule of thumb: If it is not sourced properly, it is plagiarized. When students forget to adequately source the quote, the teacher may consider their essay plagiarized. Even if this was not the intent, it is a very real risk for students. Instead of taking this chance, students should make sure that they have properly cited every statistic, quote and idea that is not their own.
Using an example paper is one of the best ways to understand MLA style. With a sample research paper, students can easily review how sources should be cited and how to write the essay. For unusual questions, students can use a MLA style guide. The guide will include specific details on how to format each type of source and the entire essay. Since using a guide for every question can be annoying, having an example paper close at hand can save students valuable time on writing their research paper.