Modern Language Association Paraphrasing, Summarizing, and Citing in Your Research Paper

Agenda What is MLA? How to Use Your Research: Citations Quotations Paraphrasing Summarizing Citations Credible Sources

What is MLA? The Modern Language Association meets every year to re-vamp Standard American Language They decide how to standardize language (and research) so that anyone can read and understand it. This applies to: Quotations Paraphrases Summarizations

What are the differences among quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing? 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. 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. Summarizing involves putting the main idea(s) into your own words, including only the main point(s). Once again, 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.

Why learning MLA important? It protects you from PLAGIARISM, which can result in: A zero on the assignment Getting kicked out of school (in college) Getting fired/let go Legal Fines and Fees Jail Time

What is Plagiarism? Plagiarism is the intentional or unintentional stealing of ideas. Any idea that is not yours MUST be referenced. You MUST give the author credit for his/her ideas. Don’t worry; I’ll show you how to avoid this later.

Quotations What is a quotation? A quotation is a word-for-word repetition of what was written in another source. Example: “Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary…” The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe Beheme, H. "The Raven." Poestories. Heise, 22 Aug. 2012. Web. 23 Oct. 2013.

Paraphrases Paraphrasing is NOT copying from the text. It is also NOT changing a few words around. “Admissions officers see themselves as being responsible to their school as a whole. They are building a freshman class, which must become a successful part of the college or university at large.” The job of the admissions officer is to select students for the freshman class who will contribute to the overall success of the college or university.

Can you identify whether or not something is paraphrasing or plagiarism? Original passage: At the start of the Great Depression, many Americans wanted to believe that the hard times would be only temporary. Plagiarism or Not? At the beginning of the Great Depression, a lot of Americans wanted to think that the hard times would be only temporary.

Try Again Original Plagiarism or not Devices in the iPod range are primarily digital audio players, designed around a central click wheel- although the iPod shuffle has buttons also. An iPod is an MP3 player that lets you choose and play songs to listen to using a click wheel (or on older versions, buttons).

More Practice Original Plagiarism or not He was a very silent man by custom. He was usually a quiet person.

Another Try Original Plagiarism or Not? A letter of thanks is a courteous acknowledgment of a gift or of something that was done for you. A thank you note is a polite acknowledgment of a present or something nice someone did for you.

Summaries are… …shortened versions of what the text says based on YOUR understanding of what the author wrote. It is NOT a word-for-word repetition. (no even a little bit).

Take out a sheet of paper and summarize this: One day, a beautiful girl met a handsome boy. She tried to smile and make him laugh, but he was a very serious person. She knew he would like her if she kept trying to make him smile. She told jokes, brought him treats like cupcakes and cookies, and met him for coffee. One day, he smiled. She told the worst joke ever, and he smiled! From then on, they were inseparable. Later on a Fall day, he told a really bad joke, made her laugh, and proposed! They lived happily ever after in a beautiful house.

Try summarizing this: “The introductory paragraph should include the thesis statement, a kind of mini-outline for the paper: it tells the reader what the essay is about. The last sentence of this paragraph must also contain a transitional "hook" which moves the reader to the first paragraph of the body of the paper.” McNamara, J. "The Five-ParagraphEssay." The Five-Paragraph Essay. Capital Community College Foundation, 2013. Web. 23 Oct. 2013.

I know how to get the information… …now how do I cite it?

MLA Citations Here’s the great thing about it: you can do it ONLINE!!! Go to www.easybib.com. If you don’t have access to the internet, it’s not too hard to figure out. Here’s an overview:

There’s a formula to everything…. You always list: the author the date it was published the text who published the text where it was published (if a book) when you found it (if a website)

Book examples Angelou, Maya. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. New York: Random House, 1970. 5-18. Print. Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. Philadelphia: Lippincott, 1960. Print. London, Jack. "Chapter 5." White Fang. New York: Scholastic, 2001. 75-81. Print. Twain, Mark. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. New York: Random House, 1996. Print.

Website examples: McNamara, J. "The Five-ParagraphEssay." The Five-Paragraph Essay. Capital Community College Foundation, 2013. Web. 23 Oct. 2013. O'Boyle, Katherine. "Class Notes English III Honors." Koboylekhs [licensed for Non-commercial Use Only] /. PB Works, 20 Aug. 2013. Web. 23 Oct. 2013.

Let’s do some practice!!! Lastname, Firstname. Title of Book. City of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication. Medium of Publication. Angelou, Maya. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. New York: Random House, 1970. 5-18. Print.