Brainstorming
Essay Structure
References/Works Cited/Sources
Essay Set-Up: MLA 9th Ed.
100

What is brainstorming?

Brainstorming is the process of gathering thoughts and ideas to write your essay.

100

How many paragraphs make up an essay (typically)?

There are five paragraphs in an essay.

100

Is Wikipedia okay to use as a source?

No, but you can you use Wikipedia to find sources.

100

What font needs to be used?

Times New Roman is the font that is used for MLA.

200

What is freewriting?

Freewriting is when you set a timer and write non stop about your topic.

200

What is a thesis statement?

A thesis statement is the last sentence of the introduction paragraph and tells readers what your essay is going to be about.

200

Where are sources information located in your essay?

Sources are always at the end of your essay.

200

What margins need to be used?

One inch margins need to be used on all four sides of an essay.

300

What is mind mapping?

Mind mapping is a visual way of connecting thoughts to your topic and each other.

300

What are the different paragraph parts to an essay?

The different paragraphs of an essay are the introduction, the body, and the conclusion.

300

Is it okay to paraphrase information from a source and not cite the original author?

No, sources should always be cited when you are referring to something they said.

300

What information is needed at the top of the essay?

Your name, your teacher's name, the class, the day you started writing your paper, and the title.

400

What is a brain dump?

A brain dump is when you write down everything you know about a topic.

400

What is a transition sentence?

A transition sentence is a sentence that connects an idea and/or paragraph together.

400

What is the typical age range of sources that should be used?

The typical age range of sources should be no more than ten years old.

400

Where are page numbers required to be on your essay?

Page numbers are needed in the header on the right side of the essay.

500

What is reverse brainstorming?

Reverse brainstorming is when you ask how your paper ideas could go wrong or ask why it is a weak paper.

500

How many sentences are typically in a paragraph?

There are typically five to eight sentences in a paragraph.

500

What are five different types of sources that can be used?

Scholarly articles, books, educational websites, government websites, reputable organizations, newspaper articles, interviews, movies, news websites (sometimes), poems, anthologies, encyclopedias (sometimes)

500

What line spacing is needed throughout your essay?

The line spacing needs to be double throughout the essay.