Research and MLA Formatting

MLA Formatting Format your paper as follows: Double-spaced Times New Roman font – 12-point In-text citations after the summary, paraphrase, and both direct quotes (if you don’t mention the author’s name in the signal phrase: “According to Smith…” or “Smith states…”) Works Cited page on the last page of your document.

Summary vs. Paraphrase Summary Paraphrase Summarizing involves putting the main idea(s) into your own words, including only the main point(s). It is necessary to attribute summarized ideas to the original source. Summaries are significantly shorter than the original and take a broad overview of the source material. Paraphrasing involves putting a passage from source material into your own words. A paraphrase must also be attributed to the original source. Paraphrased material is usually shorter than the original passage, taking a somewhat broader segment of the source and condensing it slightly.

What’s the difference? Paraphrasing and summarizing are extremely similar actions and involve many of the same processes. The difference between the two is what their objectives are. The purpose of a summary is to condense source material into a shorter form. Paraphrasing, however, is not centrally concerned with length. Rather, paraphrasing is concerned primarily with the restatement of source material in a form that is different than the original.

How do I add quotes to my paper? Quotations must be identical to the original, using a narrow segment of the source. They must match the source document word for word and must be attributed to the original author. Short Quote Long Quote To indicate short quotations – The quote must be fewer than four typed lines of prose or three lines of verse in your text. Example: According to Smith, “It knocks Mexican food out of the park.” or Filiberto’s Restaurant not only provides fast, friendly service, “It knocks Mexican food out of the park” (Smith). For quotations that are more than four lines of prose or three lines of verse, place quotations in a free-standing block of text and omit quotation marks. Start the quotation on a new line, with the entire quote indented one inch from the left margin.

Example:

MLA Citation Practice Paper

Research Go to rottentomatoes.com. Find one article about a movie you’ve seen. Read the article online. DO NOT PRINT! Your MLA practice paper must have each of the following (you must either strongly agree or disagree with each): The most interesting, convincing, and/or arguable statement (one sentence or less). This will serve as a “hook” for your audience. Another short statement (less than 4 lines). One long statement (more than 4 lines). One statement that you can change into your own words and still keep the same meaning.

Intro Paragraph Write 3 to 5 sentences: 1 short quote, title of article, author’s full name, 2- to 3- sentence summary Filiberto’s Restaurant not only provides fast, friendly service, “It knocks Mexican food out of the park” (Smith). John Smith’s article, “Filiberto’s Es Rey!” provides an entertaining look at Filiberto’s Restaurant. In his article, Smith comments on everything from the feeling one gets when walking in the door to the delight he takes in sharing the experience with his family. The highlight of the article, however, is the passion that comes through Smith’s words, making anyone who reads it want to head to the nearest Filiberto’s.

Body Paragraph 1 What do you agree with in the article? Use 1 long quote (4 lines or more) OR a paraphrase. I chose a long quote for my first body paragraph. While I haven’t yet experienced Filiberto’s for myself, I agree with Smith’s comments. In his opening statement, for example, he states: This two-job-tight-budget-single-father-of-three is thrilled to have found a place where my family can walk in and have a heaping pile of nachos in our faces within 5 minutes. And when, we leave, I don’t feel like I just spent my kids’ college funds. Filiberto’s is KING in my house! (Smith) I am only fifteen so I don’t have the same responsibilities as Smith has, but I also live a busy life and have limited cash flow. I am a varsity high school football player. So I don’t have time to work more than 5 or 10 hours per week, nor do I have much spare time. So I appreciate places like Filiberto’s, where the food is reasonably priced and where I can eat on my way home from practice without breaking curfew. After reading Smith’s article, I am tempted to try Filiberto’s out for myself.

Body Paragraph 2 What do you disagree with in the article? Use 1 long quote (4 lines or more) OR a paraphrase. Because I chose a long quote for my first paragraph, I must use a paraphrase here to meet the requirements. Note that I have two paraphrases here. You only HAVE to do one. Avoid doing more than one. The one thing that might keep me from going to Filiberto’s is Smith’s description of the food. He says it’s delicious and that he and his kids love it (Smith). However, it sounds like it might be a little too fiery for my taste. I tend to be extremely wimpy when it comes to eating spicy food. Even onions can send my stomach into a tizzy. Smith mentions that the food at Filiberto’s features jalepenos, onions, and even ghost peppers – yikes! Even though I really wans to give Filiberto’s a shot, I’ll have to find out if they serve anything without such a “kick.” Otherwise, I’ll have to keep looking for a fast, inexpensive restaurant to add to my list of dining establishments.

Closing Paragraph Close your discussion with approximately the same number of sentences as your intro. John Smith’s review, “Filiberto’s Es Rey!” was a helpful resource. I will likely eat there at least once to see how I like the food. As long as I can find an item on the menu that won’t ignite my stomach, I’d like to give it a chance as I’m always on the lookout for a quick, cheap bite to eat.

What am I grading you on? Your MLA Practice Paper will be graded on, MLA Formatting the paper itself MLA formatting and use of the following: Summary Short Quote Long Quote Paraphrase