Foreword / Phyllis Franklin -- Chapter 1. Research and
writing -- Chapter 2. Mechanics of writing -- Chapter 3.
Format of the research paper -- Chapter 4. Documentation :
preparing the list of works cited -- Chapter 5.
Documentation : citing sources in the text -- Chapter 6.
Abbreviations -- Appendix A. Selected reference works by
field -- Appendix B. Other systems of documentation --
Sample pages of a research paper in MLA style -- Index.

The handbook takes readers through the research paper
process step by step, and includes information on
narrowing the topic, outlining, note taking, etc. Before
dealing with such mechanics of writing as spelling,
punctuation, and format, the manual covers the use of
catalogs (online and paper), indexes, and databases in the
library and offers a list of some standard print and
electronic reference works. The sections on documentation
in text and citations seem to include every type of source
and possible variable. The work concludes with
abbreviations for terms used in research, reference
sources by subject, and some examples of other styles of
documentation. Examples within each section are printed in
a font different from the explanatory text, a feature that
allows the user to easily find the appropriate format.
Chapters are divided by subtopics with numeric denotation;
an index makes topics easy to find.