FAQs about applying MLA paper format
to Writing a Humanities Source Paper

Many instructors who are fine writers don't want the hassle of trying to teach MLA paper format along with their course content. That's where I come in.

I will teach students the writing and formatting skills for the source paper so the humanities course instructor can concentrate on teaching the humanities content.

Some definitions

MLA is the Modern Language Association, an organization that publishes a style guide used to assure consistent format in documents and publications, hence the term MLA format.

Source paper here means a short research paper in MLA format. The paper is usually just "five-paragraph essay" length, not a big deal.)

The humanities are disciplines that study the distinctly human aspects of people: the parts deal with human meaning, purpose, goals. Those disciplines include literature and language, religion and ethics, history, anthropology. The arts can be studied as humanities disciplines by focusing on their purpose, goals, and uses rather than on the technical aspects of artistic creation.

Course overview

Writing a Humanities Source Paper is designed to function as an adjunct to a humanities or arts course that a homeschooled student takes concurrently.

Students identify topics for essays and a research paper for their humanities or arts course. In the adjunct writing course they learn how to write those humanities essays and humanities research papers.

Specifically, students learn how to

• Use published source materials appropriately.
• Plan and organize their writing around a thesis for maximum efficiency in research.
• Use MLA paper formatto guide readers to where they can find those source materials.
• Follow the MLA paper format for layout elements.
• Revise and edit their work prior to submission.

By the end of the course, students will have written and edited three sourced essays and one longer research paper, all in MLA paper format. Students submit those papers to their humanities course instructor for evaluation and feedback.

Because of the guidance students receive in the writing course, the instructor of the student's companion course should not have to be bothered with "English errors" or students' failure to follow MLA paper format.

Frequently asked questions

I'm sure you have questions about the course. Some of the more frequently asked ones are answered below. If you'd rather have your information in a printable form, you can download a pdf file instead.

• What will students learn in the course?
  
• How is instruction delivered?
  
• Who should take the course?
  
• How are the writing and humanities course integrated?
  
• How does someone apply to take the course?
  
• Why must students attend an orientation session?
  
• How large are the classes?
  
• What equipment must students have?
  
• Do students have to buy any books?
  
• How are grades determined?
  
• When are classes scheduled?
  
• Why is the schedule so weird?
  
• How much credit can students earn in the course?
  
• What does the course cost?

What will students learn in the course?

In Writing a Humanities Source Paper, students learn how to plan a paper, present evidence, and use MLA paper format, including

• MLA style citations
• Works cited page (bibliography) in MLA format
• MLA title page

Besides learning MLA format for papers, they will learn strategies and tools suitable for most nonfiction writing situations, which will make them more efficient writers.

Students write three source essays of 400- to 800-words and one longer research paper of 1,500 to 3,000 words.

How is instruction delivered?

The course has a "live" component in which all the class members meet online with the instructor. The live component mimics a traditional classroom through two-way audio, video and graphics. Students must attend the instructor-led online sessions at the stated times.

Between live sessions, students use an online forum for additional discussion, homework activities, etc. They can participate in the class forum at their convenience, providing they meet the deadlines for completing work.

Who should take Writing a Humanities Source Paper?

Writing a Humanities Source Paper is primarily for upper level homeschool students. Students can take this course in conjunction with a classroom humanities course such as literature, history, religion, or the art history. It could also be taken to give an academic spin on some hands-on training. For example, it might be combined with music lessons or with participation in a drama production.

The course, however, is not about producing literary or artistic work. Students will be digging out information that other people have written about the humanities.

(Students with more technical interests are advised to take my course in writing using APA format instead of this in MLA paper format.)

How are the writing and humanities course integrated?

When students apply to take the humanities source paper writing course, they have to tell me about their planned companion course. Students work with their humanities course instructor to identify appropriate writing topics as early as possible. If I have questions about how to meet that instructor's needs, I will attempt to contact her/him.

I will give out the course assignments schedule during orientation. Students must make sure they complete course work for Writing a Humanities Source Paper in time to get feedback, make revisions in their MLA paper format, and submit the work to the companion course instructor on time.

How does someone apply to take the course?

Students can apply by completing a simple online form.

Why must students attend an orientation session?

One student who isn't serious about or suited to the course can ruin the course for others. The orientation familiarizes students with the course protocol and gives them a chance to see if the Writing a Humanities Source Paper is suitable for them before making a financial commitment.

The orientation will be the last week of July or the first week of August. Date(s) and time(s) to be determined.

How large are the classes?

Humanities Source Paper classes will have 8 to 16 students. I must have a minimum of 8 students registered by the security deposit deadline or I will cancel the class.

What equipment must students have?

Students must have

• Computer with Internet access (preferably high speed) and enough memory that they can keep a text editor (like Notepad) open during online sessions
.
• Speakers and microphone.
• Keyboard
.
• Email account they check regularly.

Students need a WizIQ account (free) for live session, but do not need to download any software to use the site.

Do students have to buy any books?

No. All materials required for writing a humanities source paper are available online; however, being able to thumb through a copy of the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, Sixth Edition, is useful. Check your local library and used book stores for a copy. Please note that only a sixth edition will do.

How are grades determined?

Students will have at least one written assignment a week during the course. Students will get their assignments back with comments by e-mail usually within 72 hours, but always within a week.

I will provide an end-of-course grade based on students' ability to employ a strategic writing process and on how well they handle the conventions of writing a humanities source paper using MLA format for the paper.

Students should submit their papers to their humanities course instructor to get feedback on the content of their papers.

When are classes scheduled?

The dates on which live classes are scheduled are indicated by the yellow background behind the class date on the calendar at the right. Students vote for their preferred time slot when the apply for the course; majority vote wins.

By deliberate design, the class schedule is not a typical school schedule. The sessions are planned to allow students to learn and write efficiently.

Students have their most frequent instructor contact early in the term when they are doing short writing activities to learn the process of preparing a MLA format paper. As writing assignments get longer, students have fewer live sessions; they can use that time for writing their papers.

Students can get help throughout the course in the course forum.

How much credit can students earn in the course?

The amount of "seat time" and the writing required in this course are easily equivalent to a half semester of college work. Using the standard formula for converting college work to high school credits, homeschools could award a half year of English credit for the writing course.

What does the Humanities Source Paper course cost?

Course tuition is $300, which covers the cost of the orientation, 15 live classes, asynchronous forums, and evaluation of written work.

A security deposit of $100 is required by Aug. 15 for the fall course. The remaining $200 tuition is due by Sept. 5. If a student withdraws prior to the first class session, $75 of the deposit will be refunded.

All payments go through PayPal. Since I have an account, you don't have to have one to pay your tuition.