MLA Style A presentation by the Writing Center

What is MLA style? The style of the Modern Language Association MLA style is used by:  English classes  humanities classes  language classes

Why use MLA style? Avoid plagiarism  must cite quotations and borrowed ideas  information borrowed word for word must be in quotation marks  summaries and paraphrases must be in your own words

In-text citations Establish source’s credibility by using his or her name and position. For example, John Smith, Harvard University president, says the rising tuition rates are “unforgivable” (33). Signal Phrase Avoid “dropped quotes” – quotes that are just dropped into a paragraph without identifying where information is coming from. The first time you mention a source, use his or her full name. Every time after that, you need only use his or her last name. Each in-text citation needs to correspond to an entry on the Works Cited page.

In-text citation examples (Smith 33).  no “pg.” or “p.”; no commas  punctuation follows closing parenthesis If no author: (“Many People” 33). Author’s name used in a signal phrase: (33) If no page number: (Smith). Author w/ multiple works:(Smith “Many People” 33). Two or more Authors: (Smith and Johnson 33).

Works Cited Entries Books Newspapers/Magazine Articles Scholarly Journals Scholarly Journals Online Web Sites

Books Last Name, First Name. Book Title. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year. Smith, John. Many People, Many Faiths. New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s,1999.

Books cont. Books with edition numbers: Smith, John. Many People, Many Faiths. 2 nd ed. New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s, Books with editors: Smith, John, ed. Many People, Many Faiths. New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 1999.

Newspaper or magazine articles Always consider credibility of source Last Name, First Name. “Article Title.” Newspaper or Magazine Title Date: Page Number. Smith, John. “Many People, Many Faiths.” The New York Times 13 Feb. 2001: A1.

Scholarly journals Last Name, First Name. “Article Title.” Journal Title Volume Number.Issue Number (Year): Page Number. Smith, John. “Many People, Many Faiths.” Language 11.3 (1999):

Scholarly journals (online) From electronic database: Smith, John. “Many People, Many Faiths.” Language 11.3 (1999): Academic Search Premier. EBSCO Host. Northern Michigan University, Lydia Olson Library. 22 Mar

Web sites Again, always consider reliability of source Author’s Last Name, Author’s First Name. “Section or Page on Web Site.” Overall Web Site. Date last updated or published. Date accessed. Smith, John. “Hinduism.” Many People, Many Faiths. 19 May Mar

Formatting the Paper Page Numbers Headings Works Cited Page Works Cited Example Margins, font style, font size etc.

Page numbers Upper right hand corner of page Start on first page Should include your last name Insert > Page Numbers > Upper Right > Double click on page numbers in document to add name Example: Johnson 3

Headings No cover page Heading at top left of first page of paper: John Smith Coach Thompson English I 9 March 2007 Title of paper should be centered above first paragraph  No italics, bold, underlining or font type or size change

Works Cited page Page numbers should continue Double space, with no extra returns between entries Hanging indent: Second line of entry (any any following lines) should be indented Alphabetize entries “Works Cited” should be centered on first line of page  No italics, bold, underlining or font type or size change

Works Cited Example Works Cited Bilger, Burkhard. “Forever Young.” The Sciences Sept./Oct. 1998: Jaroff, Leon. “New Age Therapy.” Time 23 Jun. 1996: 52. Shelian, Ray. “Post Educational Opportunities.” Online Posting. 22 Oct. School Ties. 22 Dec

Other formatting issues White paper 1-inch margins Basic font, like Times New Roman 12-point text Double space Key is readability

Source Card Example J Ryan ThompsonSource #1 Smith, John. Many People, Many Faiths. New York: Bedford/ St. Martin’s, 1999.

Note Card Example J Ryan Thompson#1 Adolf Hitler's Nazi Party come to power in Germany in “His rise to power in Germany was due to his nationalist message and his ability to provide citizens work during the Depression” (Johnson 28). Topic: Hitler’s Rise to Power