Writing Research Papers

I'm pretty good with writing research papers. Pages comes with an MLA format template, which I use regularly; it lets me focus on content rather than margins and headers and such.

I have a method for dealing with sources. I go to the library (or sites like Project Gutenberg and Google Book Search if I'm pressed for time) and grab a bunch of random books and magazines that are at least tangentially connected to the subject. It really doesn't matter, as long as they contain at least one quote somewhere in them that you can take out of context to further your own interests. Nobody's going to check, unless this is a doctoral thesis. I always put as many quotes as I can - it helps if you can use them as part of a sentence:

Kyle was 'a fat blubbering idiot'.

rather than as just quotations:

Smith said, 'Kyle is a fat blubbering idiot'.

This allows you to put in much longer quotes. I don't know why, but teachers like it when you express your ideas with the words of others. Also, if your teacher doesn't care about MLA formatting, use footnotes instead of those ridiculous parenthetical citations - footnotes take up tons of page real estate if you use enough quotes.

The key to my writing style is that I refuse to believe I cannot include any given topic in my paper. If I want to connect the War of 1812 to the Red Rain of Kerala, then so be it. I'll figure a way.

Also, never, ever, say the word "I" in a research paper. We know it's you. You're writing the paper. Get on with it.