I Have a Question about a Research Paper - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

RoryGilmore · 02-23-2008, 07:56 PM

So I am writing a research paper on JFK and it seems like since it is a person I am basically citing everything I type I'm on page 2 and there is like only 1 sentence I didnt cite. I asked my mom if there was anyway to not do that and she said she didnt know so I decided to bring the question on here.

"how do you wite a paper on a person and not cite every thing."

Nighthawk76 · 02-23-2008, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jo/Blair Fan

So I am writing a research paper on JFK and it seems like since it is a person I am basically citing everything I type I'm on page 2 and there is like only 1 sentence I didnt cite. I asked my mom if there was anyway to not do that and she said she didnt know so I decided to bring the question on here.

"how do you wite a paper on a person and not cite every thing."

I'm a little confused, Meghan.

vtunie · 02-23-2008, 08:11 PM

Unless under explicit instructions from your instructor, it's far better to cite excessively than not enough. As you know, there are several citation styles, and some are more appropriate than others, depending on how many citations you make.

I would suggest making an appointment with your instructor, and finding out what is required.

If you are told that you should make some sort of personal evaluation of your subject, it may be a good idea to restrict it to a section or a paragraph in each section, by topic. But, once again, you should let your instructor explain the details of what is expected.

---

PS. Oops, are you still in high school? (Sorry, I looked at your age.) OK, "teacher", then. But the rest applies. -- Unless it's due on Monday, in which case, over-cite and be good!

RoryGilmore · 02-23-2008, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazy for Blair

I'm a little confused, Meghan.

lets see if i can clarify.

In a research paper if you got information from a website, book, article or any sourse of media you have to cite your sourse or it is plagiarism. And since my paper is on a person basically all I have is facts from my sourses. I was just asking everyone who has written papers on people before if this is normal or if I am doing something wrong.

RoryGilmore · 02-23-2008, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtunie

Unless under explicit instructions from your instructor, it's far better to cite excessively than not enough. As you know, there are several citation styles, and some are more appropriate than others depending on how many citations you make.

I would suggest making an appointment with your instructor, and finding out what is required.

If you are told that you should make some sort of personal evaluation of your subject, it may be a good idea to restrict it to a section or a paragraph in each section, by topic. But, once again, you should let your instructor explain the details of what is expected.

---

PS. Oops, you're still in middle school! OK, "teacher", then. But the rest applies. -- Unless it's due on Monday, in which case, over-cite and be good!

no I'm a senior in high school and Im in a college class. and yeah its due at our next class.

but i have my english 112 class before then so I'll ask my instructor for that class and see if he can give me any suggustions.

vtunie · 02-23-2008, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jo/Blair Fan

no I'm a senior in high school and Im in a college class. .

... I was making changes while you were typing your reply. Sorry. "Middle school" is a synonym for "high school" in Canada. I meant at minimum the upper grades of high school. My mistake. Good luck!!

RoryGilmore · 02-23-2008, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtunie

Good luck!!

Thank you!

vtunie · 02-23-2008, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jo/Blair Fan

no I'm a senior in high school and Im in a college class. and yeah its due at our next class.

Is your paper a college paper, then? In my experience, if you've already got the thing written, you can ask about mechanical stuff like citation style right to the last minute. Especially if this next class isn't on Monday, you should be able to see, phone, or at least e-mail the instructor tomorrow or the day after.

RoryGilmore · 02-23-2008, 09:02 PM

I'm just going to ask my english teacher, from what I understand my history teacher really doesnt know much about the whole MLA thing, but I wanna do it right anyway, so I'm just going to ask my english teacher

Courtnee · 02-23-2008, 09:11 PM

Nope, I'm afraid citing is the only way to go, sorry.

Nighthawk76 · 02-24-2008, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jo/Blair Fan

lets see if i can clarify.

In a research paper if you got information from a website, book, article or any sourse of media you have to cite your sourse or it is plagiarism. And since my paper is on a person basically all I have is facts from my sourses. I was just asking everyone who has written papers on people before if this is normal or if I am doing something wrong.

You seem to be doing it correctly, Meghan.

InspectorExstead · 02-24-2008, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtunie

Unless under explicit instructions from your instructor, it's far better to cite excessively than not enough.

diiiiitto. you don't want the teacher to think you're plagiarizing or anything.

02-23-2008, 07:56 PM	#1
RoryGilmore Always and Forever Forum Veteran Join Date: Oct 30, 2004 Location: Wherever he is, that's where I'll be Posts: 6,528	I Have a Question about a Research Paper So I am writing a research paper on JFK and it seems like since it is a person I am basically citing everything I type I'm on page 2 and there is like only 1 sentence I didnt cite. I asked my mom if there was anyway to not do that and she said she didnt know so I decided to bring the question on here. "how do you wite a paper on a person and not cite every thing."
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02-23-2008, 09:11 PM	#10
Courtnee MAN VS SAMMICH. Forum Star Join Date: Mar 23, 2005 Location: Louisiana Posts: 16,413	Nope, I'm afraid citing is the only way to go, sorry.
	__________________ Whether I'm the rose of sheer perfection A freckle on the nose of life's complexion The Cinderella or the shine apple of its eye I gotta fly once, I gotta try once, Only can die once, right, sir? Ooh, life is juicy, juicy and you see, I gotta have my bite, sir. Get ready for me love, 'cause I'm a "comer" I simply gotta march, my heart's a drummer Don't bring around the cloud to rain on my parade

02-23-2008, 08:11 PM	#3
vtunie Member Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 23, 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 592	Unless under explicit instructions from your instructor, it's far better to cite excessively than not enough. As you know, there are several citation styles, and some are more appropriate than others, depending on how many citations you make. I would suggest making an appointment with your instructor, and finding out what is required. If you are told that you should make some sort of personal evaluation of your subject, it may be a good idea to restrict it to a section or a paragraph in each section, by topic. But, once again, you should let your instructor explain the details of what is expected. --- PS. Oops, are you still in high school? (Sorry, I looked at your age.) OK, "teacher", then. But the rest applies. -- Unless it's due on Monday, in which case, over-cite and be good!

02-23-2008, 09:02 PM	#9
RoryGilmore Always and Forever Forum Veteran Join Date: Oct 30, 2004 Location: Wherever he is, that's where I'll be Posts: 6,528	I'm just going to ask my english teacher, from what I understand my history teacher really doesnt know much about the whole MLA thing, but I wanna do it right anyway, so I'm just going to ask my english teacher