The Format of the Paper…

Documentation,Documentation,

MLA StyleMLA StyleA guide to in-text and reference A guide to in-text and reference

citation methods.citation methods. Modern Language Association (MLA)Modern Language Association (MLA)

The Format of the The Format of the Paper…Paper…

Choose a standard, easily readable font (e.g. Choose a standard, easily readable font (e.g. Times New Roman) and type size (e.g. 12 point)Times New Roman) and type size (e.g. 12 point)

Do not right justify the marginsDo not right justify the margins Turn off the automatic hyphenation feature Turn off the automatic hyphenation feature

(optional)(optional) Print on one side of the paper only (optional)Print on one side of the paper only (optional)

Format (continued)…Format (continued)…

MARGINS:MARGINS: Except for page numbers, 1 Except for page numbers, 1

inch margins all aroundinch margins all around Microsoft Word default Microsoft Word default

is 1.25” for left & right is 1.25” for left & right marginsmargins

Use Page Setup under Use Page Setup under the File menu to change.the File menu to change.

Indent the first line of each Indent the first line of each paragraphparagraph

Set off long (defined as Set off long (defined as those longer than 4 lines or those longer than 4 lines or prose or 3 lines of verse) prose or 3 lines of verse) quotations 1 inch (ten quotations 1 inch (ten spaces) from the left marginspaces) from the left margin

Format (continued…)Format (continued…)

SPACING:SPACING: Double-space throughout, including quotations Double-space throughout, including quotations

and works cited! No extra spacing required (dead and works cited! No extra spacing required (dead space).space).

1 space after a period or other concluding 1 space after a period or other concluding punctuationpunctuation

Format (continued)…Format (continued)… HEADING AND TITLE:HEADING AND TITLE:

NO TITLE PAGE in MLA format!NO TITLE PAGE in MLA format! Font remains same for title – no bold, Font remains same for title – no bold,

underline or italicsunderline or italics

SourcesSourcesGENERAL RULE:GENERAL RULE:

Ideally, no more Ideally, no more than 20 percent of than 20 percent of your paper should your paper should be direct be direct quotations.quotations.

ParaphraseParaphrase as as much as you can.much as you can.

Use direct Use direct quotations when quotations when citing a statistic or citing a statistic or original theoryoriginal theory

Use author's words Use author's words if they capture a if they capture a point exactlypoint exactly..

When to Give Your When to Give Your Source…Source…

You must acknowledge in your paper the source You must acknowledge in your paper the source ofof

A direct quotationA direct quotation A statisticA statistic An ideaAn idea Someone else’s opinionSomeone else’s opinion Concrete facts not considered “common Concrete facts not considered “common

knowledge”knowledge” Information not commonly knownInformation not commonly known Information taken from the computer (CD ROMS, Information taken from the computer (CD ROMS,

internet, etc.)internet, etc.) Illustrations, photographs, or charts – if not yoursIllustrations, photographs, or charts – if not yours

Paraphrasing and Paraphrasing and SummarizingSummarizing

You must still acknowledge your source if you…You must still acknowledge your source if you…

Paraphrase:Paraphrase: Put someone else’s ideas into your own wordsPut someone else’s ideas into your own words

Summarize:Summarize: Condense someone else’s words or ideasCondense someone else’s words or ideas

Signal Phrases in MLASignal Phrases in MLA Model Signal Model Signal

Phrases:Phrases:““In the words of researchers Long In the words of researchers Long

and McKinzie…”and McKinzie…”

““As Paul Rudnick has noted…”As Paul Rudnick has noted…”

““Melinda Stuart, mother of a child Melinda Stuart, mother of a child killed by a drunk driver, points killed by a drunk driver, points out…”out…”

“…“…,writes Michelle Moore, …”,writes Michelle Moore, …”

NOTE: Never use NOTE: Never use “says”“says”

Verbs in Signal Verbs in Signal Phrases:Phrases:

acknowledgesacknowledges admits admitsagreesagrees asserts assertsbelievesbelieves claims claimscommentscomments confirms confirmscontendscontends declares declaresdeniesdenies disputes disputesemphasizesemphasizes endorses endorsesgrantsgrants illustrates illustratesimpliesimplies notes notesobservesobserves points out points outreasonsreasons refutes refutessuggestssuggests writes writes

Parenthetical CitationsParenthetical Citations……a system in which you give your a system in which you give your source in parentheses immediately source in parentheses immediately

after you give the information.after you give the information.

Four Common Citations:Four Common Citations: Author and page numberAuthor and page number Title and page numberTitle and page number Page number onlyPage number only Secondhand quotationsSecondhand quotations

The first word of your citation match the The first word of your citation match the corresponding entry on your Works Cited corresponding entry on your Works Cited page!page!

Parenthetical Parenthetical Citations:Citations:

Author & Page NumberAuthor & Page Number(Keeling 125)(Keeling 125)

Notice there is Notice there is no “p” and no no “p” and no comma.comma.

The struggle for identity The struggle for identity is common during is common during puberty (Keeling 125).puberty (Keeling 125).


Title & Page NumberTitle & Page NumberHer distinctive writing Her distinctive writing style adds to her style adds to her mystique (“Plath” 19).mystique (“Plath” 19).

• • Often, articles, Often, articles, editorials, pamphlets, editorials, pamphlets, and other materials and other materials have no author listed; have no author listed; thus, give the first thus, give the first distinctive word of the distinctive word of the title followed by page #title followed by page #


Page Number OnlyPage Number Only If you have already mentioned the If you have already mentioned the author’s name, put a page number only:author’s name, put a page number only:

Keeling states that Plath’s work stands in stark Keeling states that Plath’s work stands in stark contrast to other confessional poets (58).contrast to other confessional poets (58).


Secondhand QuotationsSecondhand Quotations When you quote someone who has When you quote someone who has been quoted in one of your sources, been quoted in one of your sources, use:use:

qtd. in = quoted inqtd. in = quoted in

Evelyn Maxwell, author of numerous books Evelyn Maxwell, author of numerous books about poetry, refers to Plath as the “queen about poetry, refers to Plath as the “queen of darkness” (qtd. in Keeling 99).of darkness” (qtd. in Keeling 99).


Special CasesSpecial Cases Electronic Sources:Electronic Sources: Articles & Books Articles & Books

originally in print – originally in print –

Goth dress can be quite Goth dress can be quite outlandish (Raymon).outlandish (Raymon).

Other Electronic Sources:Other Electronic Sources: You may give the You may give the

name in name in parentheses, but you parentheses, but you can be more precise can be more precise and include the and include the name by indicating name by indicating the format and the format and incorporating the incorporating the name smoothly into name smoothly into your sentence.your sentence.

Interview or Speech:Interview or Speech: If the source is an If the source is an

interview, lecture, interview, lecture, or speech, include or speech, include person’s name in person’s name in introductory clause introductory clause with no with no parenthesis:parenthesis:

Julia Cohen, graduate Julia Cohen, graduate student in English and a student in English and a self-professed Goth, self-professed Goth, states that being Goth is states that being Goth is more a state of mind than more a state of mind than outlandish dress.outlandish dress.


Multiple AuthorsMultiple Authors Two Sources by the Same Author:Two Sources by the Same Author: Use the first identifying words to indicate the Use the first identifying words to indicate the

title of the worktitle of the work

The radical disconnect in Plath’s writing is evident in the The radical disconnect in Plath’s writing is evident in the poem poem CutCut ( (In the MiddleIn the Middle, 188)., 188).

OROR

(Rimbaud, (Rimbaud, In the MiddleIn the Middle, 188)., 188).


Organization as AuthorOrganization as Author Often, an organization serves as the author:Often, an organization serves as the author:

The National Council for Teachers of English state that The National Council for Teachers of English state that students bring insider knowledge of youth culture and a students bring insider knowledge of youth culture and a passion for and investment in its texts and practices (5).passion for and investment in its texts and practices (5).

OROR

Students bring insider knowledge of youth culture (National Students bring insider knowledge of youth culture (National Council for the Teachers of English 5).Council for the Teachers of English 5).


How Often to Give CitationsHow Often to Give Citations When several facts in When several facts in a row within one a row within one paragraph all come paragraph all come from the same page from the same page of a source, use one of a source, use one citation to cover citation to cover them all. Place the them all. Place the citation after the last citation after the last fact.fact.

The citation The citation MUSTMUST be in the same be in the same paragraph as the paragraph as the facts!facts!

WORKS CITEDWORKS CITED List List only only those sources that you actually used.those sources that you actually used. List the complete title of the article, essay, or List the complete title of the article, essay, or

book.book. Alphabetize your listAlphabetize your list by authors’ last names or by authors’ last names or

the first main word in a title.the first main word in a title. Online sourcesOnline sources usually follow the print format usually follow the print format

followed by the URL <URL>. (journals, followed by the URL <URL>. (journals, newspapers, magazines, abstracts, books, reviews, newspapers, magazines, abstracts, books, reviews, scholarly projects or databases, etc.). scholarly projects or databases, etc.).

Format –Format – Author’s last name firstAuthor’s last name first Double-spaceDouble-space Left MarginLeft Margin

Indent second and third lines five spacesIndent second and third lines five spaces Most item separated by periods – leave one space after ending Most item separated by periods – leave one space after ending

punctuation.punctuation. Place a period at the end of each entry.Place a period at the end of each entry.

WORKS CITED:WORKS CITED:Specific EntriesSpecific Entries

Book:Book:Author. Author. TitleTitle. City: Publisher, date.. City: Publisher, date.

Corti, Lillian. Corti, Lillian. The Myth of Medea and the Murder of ChildrenThe Myth of Medea and the Murder of Children. . Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1998.Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1998.

Article in a Magazine:Article in a Magazine:Author. “Title of Article.” Author. “Title of Article.” Title of PeriodicalTitle of Periodical Date: page(s). Date: page(s).

Gerard, Jeremy. “Review of Redwood Curtain.” Gerard, Jeremy. “Review of Redwood Curtain.” VarietyVariety April 5, April 5, 1993: p. 43.1993: p. 43.


Article in a Newspaper:Article in a Newspaper:Author (if given). “Title of Article.” Author (if given). “Title of Article.” Title of Newspaper Title of Newspaper Complete date, Complete date,

section number or title: page(s).section number or title: page(s).

Kerr, Walter. “The Lives they Lived.” Kerr, Walter. “The Lives they Lived.” The New York TimesThe New York Times 29 December 29 December 1996, late ed.: sec. 1: 53.1996, late ed.: sec. 1: 53.

Article or Story in a Collection of Article or Story in a Collection of Anthology:Anthology:

Author. “Title.” Author. “Title.” Book TitleBook Title. Editor. City: Publisher, date. Pages.. Editor. City: Publisher, date. Pages.

Franklin, Benjamin. “The Speech of Miss Polly Baker.” Franklin, Benjamin. “The Speech of Miss Polly Baker.” Benjamin Benjamin Franklin: The Autobiography and Other WritingsFranklin: The Autobiography and Other Writings. Ed. Kenneth . Ed. Kenneth Silverman. New York: Viking, 1986. 209-213.Silverman. New York: Viking, 1986. 209-213.


Article in a Scholarly Journal:Article in a Scholarly Journal:Author. “Title of Article.” Author. “Title of Article.” Journal TitleJournal Title Volume number (complete Volume number (complete

date): pages covered by article.date): pages covered by article.

Witham, Barry B. “Images of America.” Witham, Barry B. “Images of America.” Theatre Journal Theatre Journal 34 (May 34 (May 1982): 223-232.1982): 223-232.

EncyclopediaEncyclopedia““Title of Article.” Title of Article.” Title of EncyclopediaTitle of Encyclopedia. Year of the edition.. Year of the edition.

““Plath, Sylvia.” Plath, Sylvia.” Encyclopedia BritannicaEncyclopedia Britannica. 2005 ed.. 2005 ed.

WORKS CITED:WORKS CITED:Specific Entries – Electronic Specific Entries – Electronic

SourcesSources Direct E-Mail to You (Not a Discussion Direct E-Mail to You (Not a Discussion

Group)Group)Author of e-mail [title or area of expertise, professional affiliation]. Author of e-mail [title or area of expertise, professional affiliation].

“Subject line.” E-mail to the author (meaning you) date.“Subject line.” E-mail to the author (meaning you) date.

Rushbrook, Sally [poet]. “For Goths Sake.” E-mail to the author. 7 Rushbrook, Sally [poet]. “For Goths Sake.” E-mail to the author. 7 June 1999.June 1999.

Standalone Database or CD-ROMStandalone Database or CD-ROMAuthor. “Title.” (or the heading of the material you read) Author. “Title.” (or the heading of the material you read) Title of Title of

Entire WorkEntire Work publishing information of original, if known. publishing information of original, if known. Title of Title of DatabaseDatabase. Publication Medium. Vendor (if relevant). Electronic . Publication Medium. Vendor (if relevant). Electronic publication date.publication date.

Good, Sarah. “Goth Tradition in Adolescents.” Good, Sarah. “Goth Tradition in Adolescents.” NewsdayNewsday 16 Mar. 1997 16 Mar. 1997 sec. Life: 1. sec. Life: 1. Newsbank NewsdayNewsbank Newsday. CD-ROM. 1999.. CD-ROM. 1999.

WORKS CITED:WORKS CITED:Specific Entries – Electronic Specific Entries – Electronic

SourcesSources Online Source or Website: NOTE - Online Source or Website: NOTE -

<URL>.<URL>.Author or organization. “Title of section, if given.” Author or organization. “Title of section, if given.” Title of the Complete Title of the Complete

WorkWork. Date of publication or last revision. Sponsoring organization if . Date of publication or last revision. Sponsoring organization if different from author. Date you viewed the site <URL of site>.different from author. Date you viewed the site <URL of site>.

Elder, Preston. “What is Goth?” Elder, Preston. “What is Goth?” Goth.netGoth.net. 2000, 2001. Goth.net. 30 March . 2000, 2001. Goth.net. 30 March 2006 <http://www.goth.net/goth.html>.2006 <http://www.goth.net/goth.html>.

Posting to a Discussion Group:Posting to a Discussion Group:Author (not screen name). “Subject line of article.” Online posting. Date of Author (not screen name). “Subject line of article.” Online posting. Date of

posting. Group to which it was sent – multiple group names separated posting. Group to which it was sent – multiple group names separated by comma. Date you viewed it <URL>.by comma. Date you viewed it <URL>.

Rushbrook, Sally. “Plath and Me.” Online posting. 7 June 2000. Goth.net. 6 Rushbrook, Sally. “Plath and Me.” Online posting. 7 June 2000. Goth.net. 6 March 2006. <http://www.goth.net/groups>.March 2006. <http://www.goth.net/groups>.

WORKS CITED:WORKS CITED:Special CasesSpecial Cases

No Author:No Author: Alphabetize according to the first main Alphabetize according to the first main

word in the title, ignoring the articles a, an, word in the title, ignoring the articles a, an, and the.and the.

““Moonshot Tape.” Moonshot Tape.” AntaeusAntaeus. Ed. Daniel Helpern. New York: Ecco Press, 1991.. Ed. Daniel Helpern. New York: Ecco Press, 1991.

Two or More Authors:Two or More Authors: Give the last name first for the first author Give the last name first for the first author

only.only.

Hall, David, Laura Henigman, and Lillian Corti. Hall, David, Laura Henigman, and Lillian Corti. Worlds of Wonder, Days of Worlds of Wonder, Days of JudgementJudgement. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1990.. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1990.


More Work by Same Author:More Work by Same Author: Use three hyphens and a period Use three hyphens and a period

(---.) in place of the author’s name (---.) in place of the author’s name and alphabetize the works and alphabetize the works according to title.according to title.

Wilson, Lanford. Wilson, Lanford. DayDay. New York: Dramatists Play Service, 1994.. New York: Dramatists Play Service, 1994.

---. ---. Sympathetic MagicSympathetic Magic. New York: Dramatists Play Service, 1998.. New York: Dramatists Play Service, 1998.

---. ---. Tally and SonTally and Son. New York, Dramatists Play Service, 1995.. New York, Dramatists Play Service, 1995.


Radio/Television Program:Radio/Television Program:Speaker Name. Speaker Name. Program TitleProgram Title. Company if known. Network and/or . Company if known. Network and/or

station call letters, city. Date of broadcast.station call letters, city. Date of broadcast.

Mangone, Carlo. Mangone, Carlo. Weekend Edition SaturdayWeekend Edition Saturday. Natl. Public Radio. . Natl. Public Radio. KSMU, Springfield, MO. 31 May 1997.KSMU, Springfield, MO. 31 May 1997.

Video/DVD or Audio Recording:Video/DVD or Audio Recording:Author, Director, or Performer. Author, Director, or Performer. TitleTitle. Format. Distributor, date.. Format. Distributor, date.

Frizell, Michael. Frizell, Michael. I Hate HamletI Hate Hamlet. DVD. Little Theatre Home Video, . DVD. Little Theatre Home Video, 2006.2006.


Pamphlet:Pamphlet: Follow the format for a book. If no date is Follow the format for a book. If no date is

listed, use n.d.listed, use n.d.

Interview, Speech, or Lecture:Interview, Speech, or Lecture:Speaker’s name [Speaker’s position]. Type of presentation. Speaker’s name [Speaker’s position]. Type of presentation.

Location, date.Location, date.

Jenkins, Jeff [Owner and Creative Director, The Skinny Improv Jenkins, Jeff [Owner and Creative Director, The Skinny Improv Theatre]. Personal Interview. Springfield, MO. 29 March 2006.Theatre]. Personal Interview. Springfield, MO. 29 March 2006.

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