MLA and APA Documentation Refresher

Importance of Documentation Provides consistency within a discipline. Prevents plagiarism. Lends credibility to writing. Helps students learn valuable skills about using a handbook/style guide.

Types of Documentation MLA (Modern Language Association) APA (American Psychological Association) CMS (Chicago Manual of Style) CSE (Council of Science Editors)

Comparison Chart MLA In-text (parenthetical citations) – Author/Page Ex. (Hacker 32) Page numbers are included whether student paraphrases or quotes. Works Cited – no urls Authors’ full names on first mention No title page/headings APA In-text (parenthetical citations) – Author/Date Ex. (Hacker, 2012) Page numbers are included if exact quotation. Ex. (Hacker, 2012, pg. 32) References – include urls Authors’ last names only Title page/headings Comparison Chart Source: Dr. Marla Dunham

Book Citation MLAAPA Author last name, initial(s). (year). Title of Book. Place of Publication: Publisher. Wood, J. (2008). How Fiction Works. New York, NY: Farrar. Source: Diana Hacker’s Rules for Writers – Copies Available in Library and Writing Center. Author last name, first name. Title of Book. City of Publication: Publisher, Date. Medium. Wood, James. How Fiction Works. New York: Farrar, Print.

Website Citation MLAAPA All authors: Last name, initials. (Online publication date). Document title. Retrieved from … Harris, G. (2014, February 14). Medicines Made in India Set off Safety Worries. Retrieved from 02/15/world/asia/medicines- made-in-india-set-off-safety- worries.html?hpw&rref=health. Source: Diana Hacker’s Rules for Writers – Copies Available in Library and Writing Center. Author last name, first name. “Title of Document.” Title of Website. Sponsor of Website, Date Updated. Web. Date Accessed. Harris, Gardiner. “Medicines Made in India Set off Safety Worries.” The New York Times. The New York Times Company, 14 Feb Web. 17 Feb

Common Mistakes Using the Microsoft Word Reference feature. Preparing citations after writing the paper. Forgetting to use quotation marks to delineate exact words from a source. Choosing the wrong type of entry from the handbook or resource site. Focusing only on citation entries and not generalized paper format. Failing to synthesize sources.

Resources for Students Rules for Writers handbook ACC Library Guides Purdue OWL site MLA Style Guide: APA Style Guide:

Resources for Students MLA, APA, and Chicago Guides: guides/ guides/ MLA website: APA website: Son of Citation Machine:

Teaching Documentation Provide written and web resources (see Moodle WAC site for additional resources). Provide models. Encourage students to use existing campus services (Library, Skills Lab, Writing Center). Assume that students who have completed ENG 111 know how to use a handbook. Explain why documentation is important.

Teaching Documentation Request citation page before paper is due. Educate students on plagiarism and its consequences. Encourage students to rely on the NC LIVE databases, which automatically generate citations. If time permits, do a quick low-stakes documentation exercise so that everyone leaves with a self-generated model.

Grading Documentation Circle errors instead of correcting them. Set aside a certain percentage of the grade for documentation. Utilize Turnitin.com. Identify plagiarism and appropriately penalize students.