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.