MLA stands for Modern Language Association
A group meets and creates a standard writing format so that all papers can easily give credit to the outside sources that are used to enhance the research paper.
-1” margin
-Double Spaced
-12 pt Times New Roman or Arial
-Header with your last name and page number
-Works Cited Page
http://citationmachine.net/index2.php
Your turn
MLA Style
How to add citations
MLA
A quote needs an introduction and a conclusion.
A quote will not support your argument if you do not explain it.
For example:
Zeus was the greatest god of them all even though he was “[…] feared by many” (Carew 2). The author says how mighty Zeus was but that often times he would over use his power and the other gods would fear him.
2 ways to use the text
Paraphrasing
Direct Citation
Re-word someone else’s idea with your own words.
This does not need to be in quotation marks, but should be noted with an in text citation.
Only 10% of your paper should be directly quoted from another source.
It is OK to take information directly from a source as long as you give the source credit.
How to properly add a quote
Ellipsis
Punctuation
If you are using only part of a sentence, indicate the omission by the use of 3 spaced dots enclosed in square brackets.
"The local politicians believe welfare [. . .] should all be paid for through income taxes" (Stewart 1).
"Africa is more than warlords and tyrants [. . .]" (De Villiers and Hirtle 15).
The punctuation/period should be placed after the author's name and after the parenthesis.
Morgan’s mother, Patti Pena, reports that the driver “ran a stop sign at 45mph, broadsided my vehicle and killed Morgan as she sat in her car seat” (Brown 3).
Why we use quotes/Citations
-To add validity to argument
Provide evidence from story to strengthen your point
Published authors are usually viewed as an authoritative voice
-To prove comprehension of reading
Using appropriately selected quotes shows a higher order of thinking and fluency
-To create a well balanced paper
Provides a fresh voice
Giving Credit to the Author - In Text
Works Cited Page
Parenthesis
Credit must be given to the author for a direct quote or paraphrase
Signal this by putting the author’s name and page number where you found the original citation in parenthesis after the quote
(Carew 2)