Writing an effective background section is a crucial part of any research paper. The background provides important context and establishes the scope of your research. It orients the reader and demonstrates why your topic is significant. When writing a MLA research paper, careful attention must be paid to constructing a strong background section that meets MLA formatting guidelines.
The background is typically one of the first sections of a research paper, coming right after the introduction. Its purpose is to give essential background information to readers so they can understand the research problem or question you will be addressing. This section helps readers follow your reasoning as you build your argument throughout the paper.
Effective Background Construction
The background you provide should concentrate on context necessary to comprehend the research problem or question you will investigate. Start generally to familiarize readers with the subject area or field of study before progressing to more specific background information directly relevant to your paper’s focus. Provide history, definitions, explanations of key concepts, review of past research, brief summaries of influential theories – anything foundational the audience needs to grasp your study.
Make the background section cohesive by focusing it through a theme, issue or idea relating to your research question. Do not just list disconnected facts. Organize background information logically so readers can easily follow the progression of ideas. Utilize effective transitions to signify connections between concepts. Your goal should be providing just the right level of depth so readers understand necessary context without becoming overwhelmed.
A strong background will analyze the current state of knowledge about the topic as well as identify gaps that your research aims to address. It may also specify limitations of past studies to demonstrate the necessity of your inquiry. Given the background’s function as an introduction to your study, close this section by linking context with your problem statement and research questions. This directs readers’ attention toward your paper’s core focus and purpose.
MLA Background Format
When constructing the background section for a MLA style research paper, formatting guidelines must also be followed:
Use 12-point Times New Roman font and double space the entire paper, including quotes and Works Cited page.
Do not include a running header or page numbers for student papers unless requested by the instructor. These are only needed on published works.
Center the title (such as “Background”) 1/3 of the way down the page without formatting (e.g. bold, italics).
Indent the first line of each paragraph 0.5 inches from the left margin. Do not add extra return or space between paragraphs.
Quotes longer than four lines are blocked with 1-inch indent on both right and left margins. No quotes marks are used.
When paraphrasing or summarizing sources, cite the author’s last name followed by a comma and relevant page number(s) in parentheses after the material.
Use a Works Cited page at the end to list the full citations for all sources in alphabetical order by author’s last name using MLA citation style guidelines.
Set all margins to 1 inch and do not justify text.
Providing Effective Source Integration
To make good use of research and demonstrate command over your topic, integrate outside sources effectively within the background section of an MLA paper. Use short, well-chosen quotes to establish the credibility of your discussion and reinforce key ideas or insights. Paraphrase research findings and expert opinions to build understanding of your topic’s history and context.
When integrating outside sources, introduce or contextualize quoted or paraphrased information within your own analysis and writing. Make clear how research fits within or supports your construction of the background. Use signal phrases to introduce sources and direct readers to full citations so they can easily recognize quoted or paraphrased content. Take care not to rely too heavily on outside research. The background should be primarily your own explanation synthesized from course readings and research.
Summarizing Best Practices
Summarizing sources is another way to demonstrate comprehension of research for the background section of an MLA paper. Summarize key ideas, methods, conclusions or debates revealed through your studies. To skillfully summarize:
Focus on the most significant details without including unnecessary specifics.
Condense data or findings into broad, objective statements using your own words.
Maintain the meaning and capture the essence of the original work accurately.
Cite summaries using MLA formatting guidelines.
Avoid quoting or copying verbatim from sources to prevent plagiarism.
Proofreading for Style
After drafting the background content for an MLA style research paper, perform a thorough proofread to ensure proper style and formatting:
Check citations include author’s last name and page number(s) where information is taken from.
Verify sources are properly cited and quotations are formatted correctly.
Make sure quotes and paraphrased material are properly introduced and contextualized.
Confirm paragraph indentation, double spacing and font requirements are followed.
Review transitions connect ideas in a logical, coherent manner.
Examine wording flows naturally and is academic yet readable in tone.
Look for any areas needing clarification or explanation.
Ensure sections close logically and set up the research question or problem.
With effective construction and formatting, a well-developed background section will orient readers and establish context for understanding your research. Take care in crafting this foundational portion to build a strong base for your MLA style paper.
Andrew Stroud