Today is rung 4 of 12 on this topic
The research paper and citation format
Can do: Produces a multi-page researched argument with a consistent citation style and a bibliography.
Why it matters
Format errors cost marks that have nothing to do with quality of thought, and they're entirely preventable.
What it looks like when it's wobbly
Sources assembled at the end from memory, citation format invented, bibliography incomplete.
⏱️ Two-minute check
"Where did this fact come from — which source, which page?"
Solid looks like: Answered instantly from their notes.
The full activity for this topic · Across the whole project
Cite As You Go
- 1Create the bibliography entry the moment a source is opened, before reading it.
- 2Every note carries the source and page immediately.
- 3Learn the required format for three source types: book, article, website.
- 4Draft with in-text citations already in place rather than adding them later.
- 5Final check: every in-text citation appears in the bibliography and vice versa.
If it's too hard
Three sources, one format.
If it's too easy
Use a citation manager and handle a source with no named author or date.
Say this
"Write the citation now, while the tab's open. Finding it again later takes ten times as long."