MLA Documentation
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Transcript of MLA Documentation
MLA DocumentationMLA DocumentationMLA DocumentationMLA Documentation
In-text citations, citing sources appropriately, corresponding to the Works Cited
In-text citations, citing sources appropriately, corresponding to the Works Cited
When to Cite Sources in When to Cite Sources in the Paperthe Paper
When to Cite Sources in When to Cite Sources in the Paperthe Paper
Whenever you quote from a source.
When borrowing ideas from a source, even when you use your own words by paraphrasing or summarizing.
When you borrow factual information from a source that is not common knowledge.
Whenever you quote from a source.
When borrowing ideas from a source, even when you use your own words by paraphrasing or summarizing.
When you borrow factual information from a source that is not common knowledge.
The Common Knowledge The Common Knowledge ExceptionException
The Common Knowledge The Common Knowledge ExceptionException
Facts that are widely known and about which there is no controversy.
IE: Major dates in history, famous people and their accomplishments (Neil Armstrong/moon), the Superbowl occurs toward the end of January.
When in doubt, cite the source.
Facts that are widely known and about which there is no controversy.
IE: Major dates in history, famous people and their accomplishments (Neil Armstrong/moon), the Superbowl occurs toward the end of January.
When in doubt, cite the source.
The Basics of In-text The Basics of In-text CitationsCitations
The Basics of In-text The Basics of In-text CitationsCitations
As close as possible to the borrowed material, indicate in parentheses the original source and the page number in the work that material came from.
Period comes after the parenthesis.
No comma between author and page.
Quotation marks (when directly quoting) are before the parenthetical citation.
As close as possible to the borrowed material, indicate in parentheses the original source and the page number in the work that material came from.
Period comes after the parenthesis.
No comma between author and page.
Quotation marks (when directly quoting) are before the parenthetical citation.
ExampleExampleExampleExample
From the very beginning of Sesame Street in 1969, kindergarten teachers discovered that incoming students who had watched the program already knew their ABCs (Chira 13).
From the very beginning of Sesame Street in 1969, kindergarten teachers discovered that incoming students who had watched the program already knew their ABCs (Chira 13).
Example ExplicatedExample ExplicatedExample ExplicatedExample Explicated The parenthetical tells readers two
things:
The info about Sesame Street came from somewhere other than the writer…in this case Chira.
The ideas came from page 13 in Chira’s work
The full bibliographic information appears on the Works Cited page at the end of the essay
Chira, Susan. “Sesame Street At 20: Taking Stock.”
New York Times 15 Nov. 1989: 13. Print.
The parenthetical tells readers two things:
The info about Sesame Street came from somewhere other than the writer…in this case Chira.
The ideas came from page 13 in Chira’s work
The full bibliographic information appears on the Works Cited page at the end of the essay
Chira, Susan. “Sesame Street At 20: Taking Stock.”
New York Times 15 Nov. 1989: 13. Print.
ExampleExampleExampleExample
“One thing is clear,” writes Thomas Mallon, “plagiarism didn’t become a truly sore point with writers until they thought of writing as their trade […] Suddenly his capital and identity were at stake” (3-4).
“One thing is clear,” writes Thomas Mallon, “plagiarism didn’t become a truly sore point with writers until they thought of writing as their trade […] Suddenly his capital and identity were at stake” (3-4).
NoticesNoticesNoticesNotices
Author’s last name omitted in parenthesis because it appeared in the narrative.
Ellipsis […] used when parts of the original quotation are left out.
Author’s last name omitted in parenthesis because it appeared in the narrative.
Ellipsis […] used when parts of the original quotation are left out.
When there is No AuthorWhen there is No AuthorWhen there is No AuthorWhen there is No Author
Some sources are anonymous
Cite the first word/words that appear on the Works Cited…typically the article title
Truncate the title if it is long to the first few key words
Include page number
Some sources are anonymous
Cite the first word/words that appear on the Works Cited…typically the article title
Truncate the title if it is long to the first few key words
Include page number
Example of No AuthorExample of No AuthorExample of No AuthorExample of No Author
Example: Simply put, public relations is “doing good and getting credit” for it (“Getting Yours” 3).
The Works Cited entry is as follows:
“Getting Yours: A Publicity and Funding Primer for
Nonprofit Organizations.” People 32.1 (2002):
3-12.
Example: Simply put, public relations is “doing good and getting credit” for it (“Getting Yours” 3).
The Works Cited entry is as follows:
“Getting Yours: A Publicity and Funding Primer for
Nonprofit Organizations.” People 32.1 (2002):
3-12.
When there are multiple When there are multiple works by the same authorworks by the same authorWhen there are multiple When there are multiple works by the same authorworks by the same author
Parenthetical citation that lists only author and page number is not enough to distinguish.
Include author’s name, abbreviated title, and page number.
Parenthetical citation that lists only author and page number is not enough to distinguish.
Include author’s name, abbreviated title, and page number.
Example of Multiple Works Example of Multiple Works by Same Authorby Same Author
Example of Multiple Works Example of Multiple Works by Same Authorby Same Author
The thing that distinguishes the amateur from the experienced writer is focus; one “rides off in all directions at once,” and the other finds one meaning around which everything revolves (Murray, Write to Learn 92).
Notice: a comma between name and title, but no comma between title and page
The thing that distinguishes the amateur from the experienced writer is focus; one “rides off in all directions at once,” and the other finds one meaning around which everything revolves (Murray, Write to Learn 92).
Notice: a comma between name and title, but no comma between title and page
General Guidelines for General Guidelines for Documenting SourcesDocumenting Sources
General Guidelines for General Guidelines for Documenting SourcesDocumenting Sources
Lead-ins
Multiple Authors
No Page Numbers
Lead-ins
Multiple Authors
No Page Numbers
Lead-ins (better known as Lead-ins (better known as author tags)author tags)
Lead-ins (better known as Lead-ins (better known as author tags)author tags)
The first time a source is cited, use a narrative lead-in
Give the author’s full name and credentials
Current title/position, level of expertise, background
Boosts ethos
Once established, the last name only is sufficient
Lead-in can come at the beginning, the middle, or the end.
The first time a source is cited, use a narrative lead-in
Give the author’s full name and credentials
Current title/position, level of expertise, background
Boosts ethos
Once established, the last name only is sufficient
Lead-in can come at the beginning, the middle, or the end.
Multiple AuthorsMultiple AuthorsMultiple AuthorsMultiple Authors
If source has more than one author, list them in the same order that appears on Works Cited
Ex: Herman, Brown, and Martel predict dramatic changes in the earth’s climate in the next 200 years.
If source has more than one author, list them in the same order that appears on Works Cited
Ex: Herman, Brown, and Martel predict dramatic changes in the earth’s climate in the next 200 years.
No Page NumbersNo Page NumbersNo Page NumbersNo Page Numbers Many internet sites don’t have page
numbers; DO NOT NUMBER PAGES YOURSELF.
PDF files often have them, but HTML files don’t
Just list the author or title in the parenthetical.
Will need to take special care when framing sources that don’t have page #s.
Many internet sites don’t have page numbers; DO NOT NUMBER PAGES YOURSELF.
PDF files often have them, but HTML files don’t
Just list the author or title in the parenthetical.
Will need to take special care when framing sources that don’t have page #s.
Example without Page Example without Page NumbersNumbers
Example without Page Example without Page NumbersNumbers
It is now theoretically possible to recreate an identical creature from any animal or plant by using the DNA contained in the nucleus of any somatic cell (Thomas).
It is now theoretically possible to recreate an identical creature from any animal or plant by using the DNA contained in the nucleus of any somatic cell (Thomas).