1. Getting Started

First Things First - Assignment Requirements

Before you begin work on your research paper, examine the assignment closely for any requirements.

Q. How long is the paper?

The paper must be 4-5 pages long, not including the Works Cited page.

Q. How many sources?

You will use at least 5 sources, , each of which should be cited somewhere in your paper.
o Include a minimum of 3 direct quotes and 3 paraphrases

Q. What kind of sources?

They need to be credible, so need to evaluate the source to make sure that it is credible. See evaluating sources.

Q. What should my sources cover?

Your research should focus on the history of a food and/or its place in culture

Q. How do you cite sources?

You will use MLA format for your citations. You may want to remind yourself what information you need to create the MLA Works Cited page and in-text citations.

Q. What is due?

A paper is due. Check your assignment for feedback and rough draft assignments will also be due before the final paper. Make note of all the parts of the assignment and create a checklist to make sure you don't forget any part.

Q. When is it due?

How long do you have to work on this paper or project? Is there one due date for everything or are there multiple due dates for different parts of the assignment? Plan out your time, so you don't get stuck doing all the work at the last minute. Plan extra time in case you have problems or get stuck.

Selecting a Topic

The first thing you need to do before you begin a research paper is to select a topic that you're going to write about. Consider the following:

Q. Do you have a choice?

Select a food that is meaningful or interesting to you. Whether you love it or hate it, eat it all the time or only dream about tasting it, it should be a food that interests you enough to want to read a lot about it and write at least 4 pages about it.

Q. Why do you have an interest?

Does it belong specific culture or country or class or people? It is known to be special or "everyday" or staple food? It is an ingredient to a lot of other dishes or is it a dish on its own? Is it grown or man-made?

Q. Are there sources?

Before you totally commit to a food, you'll want to make sure that there are enough outside sources on the topic for your assignment. Not every food is going to have information written about it. Newer topics or topics that aren't as well known may be harder to find sources for. Do some searching in the library's databases to make sure there are sources, and Ask-A-Librarian to double-check if you're not sure there are enough sources for a topic you're really interested in.