Elements of MLA Style for Citations “The Might of the Cite”

What is MLA The MLA is short for the Modern Language Association. According to www.mla.org, the MLA was founded by teachers over 100 years ago to promote the study and teaching of English and literature.

Citing Your Sources… Means telling your readers where the information came from. Is a courtesy to the original authors. Is a courtesy to your readers.

Why do we cite? Is this fair? No. This is called plagiarism or “the unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one's own original work” (dictionary.com). J. M. Kane

Not citing your sources… Is called plagiarism. Is a form of dishonesty. Can bring severe penalties. J. M. Kane

When do I cite? It is commonly known that when you quote material from a source, you must cite the source. But what about when you summarize or paraphrase material into different words; do you have to cite the source? YES NO

Wrong Answer An idea can be plagiarized just as easily as a sentence. Changing the words does not matter. If you didn’t know the information before reading the source, that information must be cited regardless of what words you use to write it down. Try again!

Correct! An idea is the property of an author along with the words he/she used to communicate it. Good job! Ok, now that you know when to cite, it is time to learn how.

According to the Purdue University Writing Lab… MLA Style has two parts: Works Cited Page Parenthetical Citations Slide courtesy of Purdue University Writing Lab

Works Cited Page We have previously covered how to build an accurate works cited page using the MLA style. The next step is to learn how to use this page to identify your sources in the text. This step is called “parenthetical citations.”

General Rules Parenthetical citations are used to cross-reference cited text with the proper works cited entry. Parenthetical citations appear directly after the cited text. They include the first word of the appropriate works cited entry (usually the author’s last name) and a page number. They are part of the sentence and thus, they are followed with a period.

Works Cited Look at this works cited entry: Wharton, Edith. The House of Mirth. New York: Bantam, 1986. On the next page, you will see how to use this to make a parenthetical citation.

Parenthetical Citations Read this quote from The House of Mirth. “Why do you make the things I have chosen seem hateful to me, if you have nothing to give me instead?” (Wharton 68). Notice: End of quote 1st word of works cited No comma Page number period

Which is correct? “Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string.” (Emerson 148)            “Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string.” (Emerson, 148)              “Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string” (Emerson, 148).            “Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string” (Emerson 148).            

So close, but not quite. Remember, citations are part of the sentence; they can’t be left without punctuation. Try again!

Sorry, wrong answer. Remember, citations are part of the sentence; they can’t be left without punctuation. Also, remember that no comma should separate the author from the page number. Try again!

So close, but not quite. Remember that no comma should separate the author from the page number. Try again!

Correct! Good job, you noticed all of the necessary rules for correct MLA citation.

One Last Item Sometimes it suits a writing style to introduce the author before the quotation, paraphrase, or summary. In this case, your citation will only include the page number. Click ahead to see an example.

Example *Author not introduced before quote: Romantic poetry is characterized by the “spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings” (Wordsworth 263). *Author introduced before quote: Wordsworth stated that Romantic poetry was marked by a “spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings” (263).

Which is Correct? Welter argues that the “True Woman” of the nineteenth century was characterized by “piety, purity, submissiveness, and domesticity” (Welter 152). Welter argues that the “True Woman” of the nineteenth century was characterized by “piety, purity, submissiveness, and domesticity” (152).

Sorry, that’s not correct Remember, if you introduce the author’s name before the quoted material, the citation will only include the page number. Try again!

Correct! Well done, you clearly understand the principles of MLA citation formatting. Now click here to open the final MLA assessment quiz. Click here to return to to Start