MLA FORMATTING ENG 3UI

Remember: You want a smooth transition, (like from Justin Bieber to teen girls screaming) not an abrupt change (like from Justin Bieber to March Madness). Integrating Quotations

Tips for Integrating Quotations  Slim down the quotation until it’s ONLY what is absolutely necessary.  Remember, we assume our reader has read the text.  Quotations should not be more than 3 lines (for this essay).  Never leave a quotation hanging. Always introduce it, and follow it up with analysis.  Analysis means adding your own interpretation, not regurgitating the quotation.  Remember, the function of the quotation is to be a proof.  Be careful to use quotations that work for you.

Options for Integration  Complete statement + colon (:) + quotation  Katniss is torn between two love interests: “Gale and Peeta are both so dreamy, I don’t know how I’ll ever choose between them” (Everdeen 924).  Signal phrase + comma (,) + quotation  Katniss reasons, “Gale is better at hunting, but Peeta is better at baking” (237).  Full integration  Katniss demonstrates her mad archery skills when she kills the District 1 tribute “swifter than Legolas” (411).

IMPORTANT FORMATTING NOTE!  The citation should come DIRECTLY after the quotation, before the punctuation.  Citation = (Author Last Name #Page#)  No commas!  Example: Katniss is torn between two love interests: “Gale and Peeta are both so dreamy, I don’t know how I’ll ever choose between them” (Everdeen 924). Note: When you’re citing the same text as the last quotation, you may leave out the author’s name. Example: Katniss reasons, “Gale is better at hunting, but Peeta is better at baking” (237).

Analyzing Quotations  Do not rehash the facts.  Interpret the meaning and/or significance of the quotation.  Ask yourself: Why have I chosen to include it? What is behind the words? How does it prove my thesis/point?  Do NOT EVER say: “This quote shows...”/ “In this quote...” (Or anything like that.)

Recap Quiz! Integrating Quotations  How many options do we have for integrating quotations?

Recap Quiz! Integrating Quotations  What are some things you must NEVER do while integrating quotations?

Sneaky Details  Periods/punctuation come AFTER the citation parenthesis.  Quotations WITHIN quotations automatically change to single (not regular double) quotation marks.  You may shorten quotations by adding ellipses (…) so long as the meaning and grammar aren’t distorted.  You may clarify quotations by adding necessary information in brackets.

MLA has serious identity issues, and hates when it gets called a bibliography - or worse, a list of sources. MLA Works Cited

MLA: Works Cited Formula  Author Last Name, First Name. Title of Work. City of Publication: Publisher Name, Year. Medium.  Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. London: Bloomsbury Publishing, Print.  This is the standard formula for a basic text – a book by a single author.  BUT we didn’t read the short stories in single books, we read them in an anthology…

MLA: Text in an Anthology  Author Last Name, First Name. “Title of Work.” Title of Anthology. Ed. Editor Name. City of Publication: Publisher Name, Year. Page numbers of work. Medium.  Thurber, James. “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.” Imprints 11. Ed. Dom Saliani et. al. Toronto: Gage Learning, Print.  Books are underlined, while stories/poems/articles/essays are placed in quotation marks.  If the work has been translated, put the translator’s name after the title of the work with “Trans.” before it.

Recap Quiz! MLA Citations  Correct this article entry: Tim Tebow, “Why I Don’t Wear Jeggings” Fashion Quarterly. Ed. Lady Gaga. NFL Publishing: New York, 2011, There are (at least) 5 things wrong with that.

Recap Quiz! MLA & Integrating Quotations  True or False?  A: The function of a quotation is analysis. False - It’s proof!  B: Short story titles are underlined. False - That’s for book titles!  C: Analysis MUST ALWAYS follow a quotation. True x 1 million!  D: The longer the quotation, the better. False - Don’t bore the reader!

Some essential, crucial, important, necessary, critical, indispensible, and absolutely vital minor details. Essay Writing

Essay Writing - Structure  This essay should be 5 paragraphs.  Your thesis should NOT be the first sentence.  The title and author of each work must be included in your thesis/introduction.  Every body paragraph needs a topic sentence that states your point and subpoints.  Use transitional language to move you between ideas/paragraphs.

Essay Writing - Format  Double space  But NOT again between paragraphs  DO indent the beginning of each paragraph  12 point font (Times New Roman)  Regular (1 inch) margins

Formal Writing  Do not use:  contractions ✗  clichés ✗  slang ✗  Texts ≠ stories ✗  Texts, works, pieces ✓  Always use present tense. ✓