Unlocking the Mystery of MLA Parenthetical Citations and your Works Cited

What is MLA again? Modern Language Association MLA includes heading, font, margins, page numbers, parenthetical citations, and your Works Cited page. MLA is your friend in disguise. Its all about consistency and avoiding being kicked out of college or landing on the academic dishonestly list.

What are parenthetical citations? Think of the words: parenthetical = parenthesis citation = citing sources Put ‘em together: Parenthetical + Citation = citing your sources in parenthesis in your paragraphs

What information is included in parenthetical citations? Information to include: author’s last name page number Put ‘em together: (Smith 52) (Wesson 63) What if I don’t have a page number? Just leave it out! (Smith) or (Wesson)

What information is included in parenthetical citations? If a source doesn’t have an author, use the first word or words of the citation: Make sure the period at the end of the sentence goes outside the last parenthesis. The Latin-American origin of Laura means “laurel-crowned” (Meaning of Laura). “Meaning of Laura - History and Origin." Meaning-of-Names.com. Swigity, LLC, 2009. Web. 25 Apr. 2011. <http://www.meaning-of-names.com/ latin-american-names/laura.asp>

The relationship: Key to the Door The parenthetical citations and the Work Cited have a special relationship. Think: Key to the Door Parenthetical Citation Works Cited

This is the key to success: Make sure the word(s) in your parenthesis matches the first word in the listing on your Works Cited page. Make sure that your parenthetical citation matches your Works Cited page

I don’t get it… An example, shall we? Schubach, Erik. "Bugs Bunny." Cartoon. Cartoon World! 1998. 12 Oct. 2001 <http://www.cet.com/~rascal/graphics/bugsbun.gif>. The man who created the voice of Bugs Bunny is also the voice of over “30 characters that also appear in Warner Brothers cartoons including the voice of women characters” (Schubach). Remember, the period goes outside the parenthesis!

More examples… Here is a great brief summary that sums up 3 sentences (Crane). Crane, Nancy. Electronic Sources: MLA Style of Citation. 29 Oct. 1997. 24 Feb. 2001 <http://www.uvm.edu/~ncrane/estyles/mla.html>. Here is “my great quote” (Romey and Rose). Romey, Kristin M. and Mark Rose. "Saga of the Persian Princess." Archaeology. Jan./Feb. 2001: 24-25. Here is one extraordinary paraphrase that looks just great (Marshall). Marshall, Leon. "Mandela in Retirement: Peacemaker without Rest.“ National Geographic.com. 9 Feb. 2001. 2 Sept. 2001           <http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2001/02/0209.html>.

No author? No problem. Here is my great brief summary that sums up 3 sentences (Beginner Tips). "Beginner Tips: Presenting Your Page with Style." Webmaster Tips Newsletter. July 2000. NetMechanic. 12 Feb. 2001 <http://www.netmechanic.com/news/vol3/beginner_no7.htm>. Here is my great brief summary of about 3 sentences (E-money). “E-Money Slips Quietly into Oblivion." The Nikkei Weekly [Tokyo] 22 Jan. 2001:4. If you have more than one source with the same “first word,” use more info from the citation to distinguish the difference. Example: “Bugs Bunny.” ABC News… “Bugs Bunny.” Associated Press… then use (Bugs Bunny, ABC) and (Bugs Bunny, Associated)

Not as complicated as it looks… The lowdown on parenthetical citations with no author: Use as few words as possible, but not so few as to confuse the reader. Do not use quotes around the title in your parenthesis (“Beginner”) All you need to do is make sure the words in the parenthesis match the first words in your works cited.

Tips to remember: Always cite any borrowed information that you do not own. Always cite direct quotes, paraphrased lines, and summaries or sources Make sure the words in your citation match the first word(s) in your Works Cited page “Forgetting” to cite = plagiarism = a zero on the project If all of your facts in a paragraph came from the same source, place the parenthetical citation at the end of the paragraph.

Now create correct MLA parenthetical citations… Organize your note cards according to your outline As you write your paragraphs, use parenthetical citations after each fact

Notes on writing your conclusion: What your conclusion should do: Crisply finish your piece of writing Restate the thesis using fresh words Direct your reader to the larger issue. In this case, the larger idea is genocide that is happening in our lifetimes. Connect back to your introduction. Make a statement or two about why the reader should care. Please do not write, “We should care…” or even worse, “You should care…” Finish up by connecting back to the same idea you opened with to create closure. What your conclusion should not do: Introduce completely new subjects or ideas Repeat the thesis almost word for word. Draw conclusions that go beyond the scope of the paper. For example, stating that the world is doomed would be going to far. Your conclusion should not be less than 4 sentences. Do not use I, me, we, you, us, our, your. Replace these words with Americans, citizens, people around the world, etc.