Writing: the First StepsDr. Gerald Lucas

Writing: the First StepsMLA Format

Title

Opening Sentence

Introduction

Thesis Statement

MLA FormatHacker, pages 355-412

MLA Format1” margins all around

Do not justify right margin

12 point serif font — double spaced

Title centered

1/2” right justified header: Lastname page#

Title

Required aspect of all essays

Title

Required aspect of all essays

Gets attention — never too long or vague

Title

Required aspect of all essays

Gets attention — never too long or vague

Informs of subject, purpose, and audience

TitleState a position — no questions

TitleState a position — no questions

Explicitly state subject — colon effective

TitleState a position — no questions

Explicitly state subject — colon effective

Imply audience, if possible

TitleState a position — no questions

Explicitly state subject — colon effective

Imply audience, if possible

Capitalize every noun and verb

TitleState a position — no questions

Explicitly state subject — colon effective

Imply audience, if possible

Capitalize every noun and verb

Do not use quotation marks

Title Examples

A Call to Action: Regulate Use of Cell Phones on the Road

Title Examples

A Call to Action: Regulate Use of Cell Phones on the Road

Star Trek’s Positive Vision: The Future of Humanity

Title Examples

A Call to Action: Regulate Use of Cell Phones on the Road

Star Trek’s Positive Vision: The Future of Humanity

Treasured Memories: Keeping a Hope Chest

Opening Sentence

Make a general statement

Opening Sentence

Make a general statement

Keep it short

Opening Sentence

Make a general statement

Keep it short

Interest your reader

Opening Sentence

Not a topic sentence

Opening Sentence

Not a topic sentence

Lures your reader into your essay

Opening Sentence

Not a topic sentence

Lures your reader into your essay

Excites but does not alienate

Opening Sentence

Not a topic sentence

Lures your reader into your essay

Excites but does not alienate

Offers only a taste: appetizer

Opening Sentence Examples

Cell phones are often irritating, and sometimes they are deadly.

Opening Sentence Examples

Cell phones are often irritating, and sometimes they are deadly.

Life in the twenty-third century is great.

Opening Sentence Examples

Cell phones are often irritating, and sometimes they are deadly.

Life in the twenty-third century is great.

Imagine a convenient and attractive place to keep your dreams.

Introduction

Encompasses the first paragraph

Introduction

Encompasses the first paragraph

Moves from general to specific

Introduction

Encompasses the first paragraph

Moves from general to specific

Introduces subject

Introduction

Encompasses the first paragraph

Moves from general to specific

Introduces subject

Flows logically to thesis statement

Introduction

Encompasses the first paragraph

Moves from general to specific

Introduces subject

Flows logically to thesis statement

Difficult but most important

Introduction

Begins with opening sentence

Introduction

Begins with opening sentence

Gains detail and focus

Introduction

Begins with opening sentence

Gains detail and focus

Ends with thesis statement

Hourglass

Intro ExamplesThe pallet, the canvas, and the different paints. They all contribute to my final product: a landscape with towering trees and majestic mountains, or maybe a simple sunset casting the shadows of two lovers. These are some of the ideas that I use while painting a picture. Painting is very important to my life because it allows me to relieve stress and express my imagination.

Like many other college students, I have many hobbies to help me relax when times are hectic. They include video games, drawing, hanging out, or just sleeping. However, the hobby that is most important to me and consumes most of my time is drumming. I have been playing drums for seven years and only death could make me give it up. Drumming remains my favorite hobby because it allows me to relieve stress to build my confidence, and to express myself.

Thesis StatementExplicitly states the subject

Thesis StatementExplicitly states the subject

Provides direction and structure

Thesis StatementExplicitly states the subject

Provides direction and structure

Suggests scope

Thesis StatementExplicitly states the subject

Provides direction and structure

Suggests scope

Makes a promise to the reader

Thesis StatementExplicitly states the subject

Provides direction and structure

Suggests scope

Makes a promise to the reader

Clearly explains the why and how

Thesis StatementRelates directly to topic

Thesis StatementRelates directly to topic

Be sure you stay on topic

Thesis StatementRelates directly to topic

Be sure you stay on topic

Be specific — narrow your scope as much as possible

Thesis StatementRelates directly to topic

Be sure you stay on topic

Be specific — narrow your scope as much as possible

Suggest reasons for your subject (purpose)

Thesis StatementDO NOT

Thesis StatementDO NOT

State Facts

Thesis StatementDO NOT

State Facts

Ask Questions

Thesis StatementDO NOT

State Facts

Ask Questions

Use Unsupportable Language

Thesis StatementDO NOT

State Facts

Ask Questions

Use Unsupportable Language

Announce

Thesis ExamplesCell phone regulation is needed because drivers using cell phones are seriously impaired.

Thesis ExamplesCell phone regulation is needed because drivers using cell phones are seriously impaired.

Star Trek should not be cancelled because its vision represents a positive view of humanity built on science and logic.

Thesis ExamplesCell phone regulation is needed because drivers using cell phones are seriously impaired.

Star Trek should not be cancelled because its vision represents a positive view of humanity built on science and logic.

Hopes, dreams, and memories make us humans: an organized and thoughtful hope chest not only benefits the maker, but her children for many generations.

Title, Opening, ThesisIntroduction

Title, Opening, ThesisIntroduction

Most important part of the essay

Title, Opening, ThesisIntroduction

Most important part of the essay

Makes first impression

Title, Opening, ThesisIntroduction

Most important part of the essay

Makes first impression

Gives direction

Title, Opening, ThesisIntroduction

Most important part of the essay

Makes first impression

Gives direction

Provides focus and scope

Title, Opening, ThesisIntroduction

Most important part of the essay

Makes first impression

Gives direction

Provides focus and scope

Makes clear your subject, purpose, and audience