MLA Format Research Paper Examples from 2013
For students writing a research paper in MLA format, 2013 produced some excellent examples that still hold up today in demonstrating proper citation, formatting, and structure. Here we will take a look at a few top quality MLA format papers from that year and analyze what makes them high-caliber examples for students to model their own work after.
The first is a research paper by J.P. Delman titled “Depictions of Mental Illness in Horror Films: Has There Been any Progress?”. Published in the American Journal of Psychology in July 2013, this paper deals with how films from the 1970s portrayed the mentally ill versus more recent films from the 2000s. Through a close analysis of films from each era, Delman seeks to determine if modern portrayals are less stigmatizing of mental illness.
What makes this paper an excellent MLA format example is its clean, easy to follow structure. The introduction clearly states the research problem and provides necessary background information to frame the topic. Delman then devotes individual paragraphs in the body of the paper to analyzing films from each era to identify key differences in depictions. Quotes and examples from the films are smoothly integrated using signal phrases to attribute sources.
The conclusion summarizes the findings and answers the central research question of whether progress has been made. References are listed on a separate page in alphabetical order by author’s last name as required by MLA. In-text citations follow proper MLA conventions by including the author’s last name and page number in parentheses after quotations or paraphrased content. Headers, titles, and sections are styled consistently in a readable 12-point font with 1-inch margins on all sides as specified by MLA. Overall, this paper serves as an exemplary model of clean, fluid MLA formatting and structure.
Another strong MLA format example comes from a paper written in May 2013 by Erica Wilson for her Women’s Studies course at the University of Virginia titled “The Representation of the Victorian Woman in 19th Century Art and Literature.” Wilson’s paper analyzes paintings and novels from the Victorian era to understand how the roles and behaviors expected of women at that time were presented through these mediums.
Like the previous paper, Wilson establishes a clear hypothesis and research problem while providing necessary historical context in the introduction. The body of the paper is logically organized into sections focused on different artworks and novels to support the thesis. Quotes from primary sources are properly attributed and formatted according to MLA style. An analysis of these representations and how they relate to lived female experiences follows each example.
The conclusion reflects on how accurately or not these cultural mediums depicted the realities of being a woman in the Victorian period. References and in-text citations are flawlessly presented. Headers, titles, and sections maintain a consistent structure and flow throughout. This paper serves as another excellent example to model in terms of clarity of thought, quality of research, and adherence to proper MLA style guidelines.
The final research paper we will examine is a 2013 undergraduate project written by Christopher Allen titled “Analysis of Gender Representation in Disney Animated Films.” Published in the American University film studies journal Cineaste, Allen’s paper examines a selection of beloved Disney animated features to identify patterns in how gender is constructed through the portrayals and roles of male and female characters.
Once again we see a research problem and hypothesis clearly presented at the beginning to frame the topic. The body is organized thoughtfully with headings separating the analysis of different films to support various points. Allen effectively integrates plot summaries and primary quotes while maintaining a scholarly analytical voice. Implications of the representations on societal understanding of gender concepts are properly explored. References and in-text citations follow all MLA standards.
What makes each of these papers excellent examples to model MLA formatting and structure after is their demonstration of clear and logical academic writing skills. Ideas are cohesively presented through quality research, analysis, and citation of credible scholarly sources. Sections are organized using an easy to follow flow. Visual styling and formatting adheres strictly to official MLA guidelines. Students can gain tremendously by examining these papers and learning the keys to polished formatting, effective structure and organization, and thorough scholarly analysis presented therein. Referring back to such exemplary models can help any student produce professional-caliber research papers meeting all MLA standards.