Introduction to MLA: Writing a Research Paper in MLA Format

General Formatting Requirements: Font: 12 point Times New Roman or Arial Entire Paper is double-spaced Heading in top left includes your name, teacher’s name, class name, and date (spelled out)

General Formatting Requirements: Page Numbers: top right corner, your last name and the page number Title: centered below heading, no bold, underline, or italics Margins: One Inch on all sides

Writing in MLA Format A paraphrase/summary citation is when you write your researched information in your own words. You still give credit to the original author.

Original Text from the book: The outbreak of the civil wars of nearby villages was the most prominent reason that the Chinese Dynasty dissolved between 1320 and 1378. My paraphrased citation: The Chinese Dynasty collapsed mostly because of the civil wars during the 1300s (Lawrence 46).

Original Text from the book: During the 1300s, The Black Plague was a crisis that killed a lot of people. Your Turn! - Write a paraphrase/summary citation - Author is Miller Page Number is 34

Original Text from the book: During the 1300s, The Black Plague was a crisis that killed a lot of people. My citation: The Black Plague was an epidemic that resulted in the death of millions of people in the 14th century (Miller 34).

Writing in MLA Format A direct quote citation is when you copy the original words from the source. This is not used as often as paraphrased citations. However, sometimes there is a line that you just need to use.

Original Text from the book: The activist believed that a lack of strong gun control in America creates a clear and present danger to society. My paraphrased citation: According to a recent article, one activist said that our gun control policy “creates a clear and present danger to society” (Baxter 132).

Original Text from the book: After studying many patients, the doctor decided that dreams are an incredible warning system of our minds. Your Turn! - Write a direct quote citation - Author is Clemens Page Number is 16

Original Text from the book: After studying many patients, the doctor decided that dreams are an incredible warning system of our minds. My citation: Using several case studies, the doctor concluded that “dreams are an incredible warning system of our minds” (Clemens 16).

Works Cited Page The Works Cited page of an MLA formatted research paper is a separate page that lists detailed information about your sources.

General Formatting Requirements: Page: Last page of your paper Sources are listed alphabetically by author’s last name If there is no author, list it by the article/video name Spacing: Double spaced with a hanging indent

Hanging Indent

General Formatting Requirements: Your in-text citations must match an entry on your Works Cited page

In-Text Citations

Citing a Webpage Last Name, First Name. "Title of the Article.” Website Title. Publisher of website, date of last update. Web. Date of Access. Example: Hinskey, David. “How to Treat a Sprained Ankle.” Medical Aid Online. Vaxwell Media, 2012. Web. 2 Sep 2014.