Transcript Using MLA Format

Using MLA Format
-- Modern Language
Association
A workshop brought to you by the
Purdue University Writing Lab
Purdue University Writing Lab
What is MLA Format?
In simple terms, we
use MLA rules to
create works cited
pages and to
document research in
papers or projects.
 It’s the rules that
govern punctuation
and capitalization of
this information.

Purdue University Writing Lab
Why Use MLA Format?
Allows readers to
cross-reference
your sources
easily
 Provides
consistent format
 Makes your paper
more believable
 Protects you from
plagiarism

Purdue University Writing Lab
What is Plagiarism?
Presenting someone else’s work as your
own.
Examples

Using three words directly from a source and
not placing them in quotations and citing the
source
 Copying and pasting from the Internet
 Putting another person’s ideas into your own
words and not citing them

Purdue University Writing Lab
Where Do I Find MLA Format?
Reeths-Puffer LMC
website
 Student Handbook
 Composition textbooks
 www.mla.org
 OWL website:
owl.english.purdue.edu

Purdue University Writing Lab
MLA Style: Two Parts
1.
2.
Works Cited or
Bibliography
Page
Parenthetical
Citations
Purdue University Writing Lab
A Sample Works Cited
Page
Smith 12
Works Cited
Dickens, Charles. Bleak House. New York: Penguin,
1985. Print.
Miller, J. Hillis. Charles Dickens: The World and His Novels.
Bloomington: U of Indiana P, 1958. Print.
Reich, Jeff. "A Place to Remember." The Writer. 6 Nov. 2009.
General Reference Center Gold. Web. 9 Nov. 2009.
Purdue University Writing Lab
Works Cited Page
A complete list of every
source that you make
reference to in your
essay
 Provides the information
necessary for a reader to
locate and retrieve any
sources cited in your
essay.

Purdue University Writing Lab
Works Cited
Most citations should
contain the following
basic information:
 Author’s name
 Title of work
 Publication
information
 Medium
Purdue University Writing Lab
Works Cited General Format







Use Times Roman 12 pt. font
Double Space
Use a hanging indent (reverse
of a paragraph)
Alphabetize by author last
name. Ex: Johnson, Carl
Center Works Cited at the top
Invert the month and the day –
11 November 2009
Italicize titles of books and
websites
Purdue University Writing Lab
Works Cited: Format

Book
Author. Title. City of Publishing: Publisher,
Copyright Year. Medium.
Example
Millay, Linda. The Inimitable: Charles Dickens.
New York: Random House, 1963. Print.
Purdue University Writing Lab
Works Cited: Format

Web page
Author. “Title of Web Page.” Title of Web Site. Date
Updated/Created. Medium. Date Accessed.
Example
Dorre, Gina Marlene. "Handling the Iron Horse."
Nineteenth Century Studies. November 2009. Web. 9
November 2009.
Purdue University Writing Lab
Works Cited: Format

Database
Author. “Title of Article.” Title of Original Source. Date
Updated/Created. Database. Medium. Date Accessed.
Example
Adams, Thomas. “Alternative Testing." Nineteenth Century Studies.
14 June 2009: 15-18. Sirs Researcher. Web. 2 November 2009.
Purdue University Writing Lab
Works Cited
Study the basics of
MLA citation format.
When something odd
comes up, look it up.
Purdue University Writing Lab
Parenthetical Citations




Indicates what you used from outside
sources
Shows from where within the source
you borrowed the information
All information that is not originally
yours or common knowledge must be
documented – even when you put it
into your own words!
Parenthetical citations must match
sources on the works cited page.
Purdue University Writing Lab
When Should You Use Parenthetical
Citations?
1.
2.
3.
Quoting -- repeating another
source word for word, using
quotation marks
Summarizing -- taking ideas from
a large passage of another source
and condensing them, using
your own words
Paraphrasing -- using ideas from
another source but changing the
phrasing into your own words
Purdue University Writing Lab
Citations in Your Text

Author’s last name and page
number(s) of quote must appear in
the text:
Romantic poetry is characterized by
the “spontaneous overflow of powerful
feelings” (Wordsworth 263).
Wordsworth stated that Romantic
poetry was marked by a “spontaneous
overflow of powerful feelings” (263).
Purdue University Writing Lab
In-Text Citations
In-text Example:
One online film critic stated that Fitzcarraldo is "...a
beautiful and terrifying critique of obsession and
colonialism" (Garcia 1).
Corresponding Works Cited Entry:
Garcia, Elizabeth. "Herzog: a Life." Online Film Critics
Corner. The Film School of New Hampshire. 2 May
2002. Web. 8 Jan. 2009.
Purdue University Writing Lab
Handling Quotes in Your Text
There are many different
combinations and variations
within MLA citation format.
If you run into something
unusual, look it up!
Purdue University Writing Lab
Questions?
Purdue University Writing Lab