Depending on the recommend style guide or the discipline in which you are studying, there can be several different ways to format your research paper. However, there are some basic tips you should follow regardless of style. Here are 10 tips you should always follow:
Consistently following a style format (APA, MLA, etc.) will help a writer build credibility for his or her work by way of exhibiting accountability to their source or cited material. Choose the recommended style guide for your discipline and use it throughout your writing.
In general, your term paper should double spaced throughout, using a standard 12 pt. font that can be easily recognized by anyone reading your work. It should also be printed on a standard white 8.5 x 11-inch paper.
Unless specifically told to do so, you don’t need to create a title page. Instead list your name, your professor’s name, course information and the date on the upper left hand corner of the page. Center the title of your work without using quotation marks, italicization, or underlining.
Some really long works are made easier to read when you include section headings. Consider naming different parts of your term paper if is several pages long.
When referring to your sources within your text use parenthetical citations. This requires you to place relevant source information such as the author’s name and the page number in which you found the content.
When citing a resource that has multiple authors list their names in the same order they appear on the book or article within the text then put in the page number in parentheses.
If you are providing a direct quote that is no more than four lines, enclose the content inside of double quotation marks and put in the relevant author information in your text.
If you are providing a direct quote that is more than four lines place the content in a free-standing block of text without using quotation marks.
Sometimes long explanatory notes might be too distracting to include in the main text of your term paper, but might still be important to your work. In this case.
Lastly, be sure to include a complete works cited section at the end your assignment. Provide accurate information and be consistent throughout.