MLA Format MLA (Modern Language Association) Most commonly used to write papers and cite sources for liberal arts and humanities

Why Use MLA Format? MLA style gives writers a system for citing their sources (parenthetical citations and Works Cited pages) Writers who use MLA style build their credibility

Why Use MLA Format? It protects you from plagiarism accusations

Paper Guidelines Use standard, white 8.5 x 11-inch paper Double-space the text of your paper Times New Roman Font 12 point font One inch margins on all sides of your document Use the tab key to indent each paragraph

The 1st Page of the Paper No title page In the upper left-hand corner of the first page, list: your name instructor's name course title date the assignment is due (day month year) Add a header in the upper right-hand corner of the document Last Name page number ex: Smith 1 Center the title and type it in plain text Use italics when referring to other works in your title

First Page Example Header One inch margin Heading Paper Title Indented paragraph One inch margin One inch margin

Works Cited Page To create a Words Cited page… Press “Ctrl” and “Enter” to begin your Works Cited page (this will jump you down to the next page in your document) Label the page Works Cited in the center Double space all citations, but do not skip spaces between entries Create a hanging indent for all listings List entries in alphabetical order

How to Cite Web Sources Entire Website Author’s or Editor’s last name, first name. Title of Website. Name of sponsoring institution or organization. Last update or original publication date. Web. Date accessed.

How to Cite Web Sources Article from a Website Author’s or Editor’s last name, first name. “Title of Article.” Title of Web site. Date of last update or original publication date. Web. Date accessed.

How to Cite Web Sources Online Database Article Author’s or Editor’s last name, first name “Article Title.” Database Title. Copyright date [edition]. Online Publisher or sponsoring institution. Web. Date accessed.

How to Cite Print Sources Encyclopedia Author’s last name, first name. “Article Title.” Title of Encyclopedia. Year Published. Print.

How to Cite Print Sources Book with an Editor Editor’s last name, first name, ed. Title of Book. City of publication: Publisher, Date published. Print.

Parenthetical Citation A parenthetical citation is a citation in the text of your writing to let your readers immediately know where you got your source *Your parenthetical citation will be the first part of the entry from the Works Cited page (author’s last name or webpage title). *The period goes outside of the parenthesis.

MLA Citations Columbia University Professor Jeffrey Johnson spent seventeen years recording the viewing habits of children in 707 families in Upstate New York and found that the ones “who watched one to three hours of television each day . . . were 60% more likely to be involved in assaults and fights as those who watched less TV” (“Research on the Effects of Media Violence”). Works Cited “Research on the Effects of Media Violence.” Media Awareness Network. 2005. Web. 12 Mar. 2005

Works Cited Entry for a Book Bergen Community College © 2005 Works Cited Entry for a Book The ideal context for identity formation is “a supportive and respectful family” (Levine 169). Works Cited Levine, Madeleine, Ph.D. See No Evil: A Guide to Protecting Our Children from Media Violence. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1998. Print.

Paraphrasing, Quoting, Summarizing Paraphrasing, quoting, and summarizing information is an important part of writing research papers and explanatory essays. What is the difference between them?

Paraphrasing Paraphrasing – When you paraphrase, you write a passage in your own words. Paraphrased text is more detailed than a summary; paraphrased text is about the same length as the original text. Paraphrased passages must be attributed to the original source.

Paraphrasing When do I paraphrase? You should paraphrase a source when you need a large section of original text in your writing, but you want to limit the the amount of direct quotes in your writing.

Quoting Quoting – When you quote something, you use the writer’s original words (word for word) placing “quotation” marks around the quote. Quotes must be attributed to the original source.

Quoting When do I quote? You should add quotes to your paper when paraphrasing or summarizing would take away from the original author’s intended meaning. Quotes should be meaningful and relevant, and help support your main ideas.

Summarizing Summarizing – When you summarize, you write the main ideas in your own words. Summaries are shorter than the original text. Summaries must be attributed to the original source.

Summarizing When do I summarize? You should summarize information for your paper when your audience needs to know the main ideas, but not all of the details

Why? Why do we paraphrase, quote and summarize when we write? Enhance our writing Develop credibility (ethos) Add depth to our writing Provide relevant and supporting evidence To avoid plagiarism accusations

Practice Read the below Preamble to the US Constitution. In groups, paraphrase, quote, and summarize the text. We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

How? – It’s as easy as ICE How do you include a summary, quote, or paraphrase in your writing? introduce the idea cite the source explain its relevance

Formatting Quotes Quotes cannot stand alone! Use this formula for including direct quotes in your paper. Transition + Indicator + Verb + Quote + Citation For example, Author name writes, “……..……..” (page number) For instance, Character name explains, (author, To illustrate, Subject name argues, Moreover, the author states, Furthermore, the character says, *If you state the author’s name as the indicator, you only need to cite the page number.

Formatting Quotes Can you label each part for the quote below? Transition + Indicator + Verb + Quote + Citation The novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck begins in the picturesque Salinas Valley in central California. To illustrate, Steinbeck describes a river that “is lined with trees- willows fresh and green with every spring” (3).

Formatting Quotes Can you label each part for the quote below? Transition + Indicator + Verb + Quote + Citation The novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck begins in the picturesque Salinas Valley in central California. To illustrate, Steinbeck describes a river that “is lined with trees- willows fresh and green with every spring” (3).

Formatting Quotes Can you label each part for the quote below? Transition + Indicator + Verb + Quote + Citation The novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck begins in the picturesque Salinas Valley in central California. To illustrate, Steinbeck describes a river that “is lined with trees- willows fresh and green with every spring” (3).

Formatting Quotes Can you label each part for the quote below? Transition + Indicator + Verb + Quote + Citation The novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck begins in the picturesque Salinas Valley in central California. To illustrate, Steinbeck describes a river that “is lined with trees- willows fresh and green with every spring” (3).

Formatting Quotes Can you label each part for the quote below? Transition + Indicator + Verb + Quote + Citation The novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck begins in the picturesque Salinas Valley in central California. To illustrate, Steinbeck describes a river that “is lined with trees- willows fresh and green with every spring” (3).

Formatting Quotes Can you label each part for the quote below? Transition + Indicator + Verb + Quote + Citation The novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck begins in the picturesque Salinas Valley in central California. To illustrate, Steinbeck describes a river that “is lined with trees- willows fresh and green with every spring” (3).

Mix It Up To add variety to your writing, include all three into your writing. Try to paraphrase, quote, and summarize in every body paragraph!

Quiz When you paraphrase, you should be sure to… (select 2) Write the text in your own words. Place quotation marks around the text. Properly cite the source.

Quiz When you paraphrase, you should be sure to… (select 2) Write the text in your own words. Place quotation marks around the text. Properly cite the source. A and C are both correct! Do not place quotation marks around something you paraphrase, but you will need to write it in your own words and cite it.

Quiz True or False: A summary should be the same length as the original text. True False

Quiz True or False: A summary should be the same length as the original text. True False B is correct! The answer is false. A summary is a shortened and condensed version, whereas when you paraphrase something, it will be similar in length to the original text.

Quiz When should you use a direct quote? When you need to provide a lot of details to your audience. When you need to include specific or technical information in your text.

Quiz When should you use a direct quote? When you need to provide a lot of details to your audience. When you need to include specific or technical information in your text. B is correct! If you need a lot of details, you are better off paraphrasing. If you want specific or technical details, it is best to add a quote!