Overview
1
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.