In-Text Citations
What are the two specific things that go in an MLA parenthetical citation?
The author’s last name and the page number (e.g., Smith 42).
True or False: You should start a new paragraph with "Also," "In addition," or "Secondly" every single time.
False. (While they work, overusing them makes writing feel like a list rather than a flow).
Where does the topic sentence usually appear in a paragraph?
The very first sentence.
Should a thesis statement be a fact that everyone knows is true?
No. (It must be arguable/debatable).
Why should you avoid starting an essay with "According to Webster’s Dictionary..."?
It’s a cliché/overused and usually isn't very interesting to the reader.
Correct this citation: According to Jones, "the sky is blue" (Jones, p. 12).
According to Jones, the sky is blue (12).
(Note: No comma, no "p.", and no name if it's already in the sentence!)
Use a "Concluding/Transition" sentence to link a paragraph about healthy eating to a new paragraph about regular exercise.
(Example) "While a balanced diet provides the fuel the body needs, that energy must be paired with regular exercise to maintain long-term health."
Take the topic "Social Media" and add a "Controlling Idea" (opinion/angle) to turn it into a complete topic sentence
(Example) "Social media has fundamentally changed how college students network for future careers
Rewrite this "Announcement" into a strong Thesis Statement: "In this paper, I will show that high school start times should be later."
(Example) "High schools should shift to later start times to improve student mental health and academic performance."
Create a "Bold Statement" hook for an essay about why the voting age should be lowered to 16.
(Example) "If a sixteen-year-old is old enough to pay taxes on their paycheck, they are old enough to have a say in how those taxes are spent."