Citing Sources in a Research Paper MLA Format

What Is MLA? MLA is the Modern Language Association. MLA is the Modern Language Association.

What Do I Need to Cite? Cite all paraphrased and quoted material. Cite all paraphrased and quoted material. Any information that is not common knowledge comes from a source. You must credit your source in order to avoid plagiarism. Any information that is not common knowledge comes from a source. You must credit your source in order to avoid plagiarism. Plagiarism is intellectual theft. Just as you can steal another person’s property, you can also steal another person’s ideas and knowledge. Plagiarism is intellectual theft. Just as you can steal another person’s property, you can also steal another person’s ideas and knowledge.

Explanation of the MLA Format MLA consists of both an in text parenthetical citation at the end of each source and a full citation in a works cited list at the end of the paper. MLA consists of both an in text parenthetical citation at the end of each source and a full citation in a works cited list at the end of the paper. The in text citation consists of the author or authors’ last names and the page number or numbers from which the source came. The in text citation consists of the author or authors’ last names and the page number or numbers from which the source came. The works cited entry takes a variety of forms depending upon the type of source being used. The works cited entry takes a variety of forms depending upon the type of source being used.

Examples of In Text and Works Cited Entries After you have paraphrased (put in your own words), summarized (condensed in your own words), or quoted (taken word-for-word from your source but used quotation marks to indicate you have done so), you must credit the source parenthetically. For example, if the author’s name is John Doe and the pages you have paraphrased from are 23 through 40, your in text citation will be (Doe 23-40). After you have paraphrased (put in your own words), summarized (condensed in your own words), or quoted (taken word-for-word from your source but used quotation marks to indicate you have done so), you must credit the source parenthetically. For example, if the author’s name is John Doe and the pages you have paraphrased from are 23 through 40, your in text citation will be (Doe 23-40). If your source is a book, the works cited entry will be set up as follows: If your source is a book, the works cited entry will be set up as follows: Last name of author, First name. Title of Book. Location Last name of author, First name. Title of Book. Location of Publisher: Name of Publisher, year of publication. of Publisher: Name of Publisher, year of publication. For example: Doe, John. The History of Business. For example: Doe, John. The History of Business. New York: McGraw-Hill, New York: McGraw-Hill, 2006.

Examples, Continued For a journal, begin with the author’s last name, first name. “Title of Article.” Journal For a journal, begin with the author’s last name, first name. “Title of Article.” Journal Title. Volume number (Year of Publication): page range of the article. Title. Volume number (Year of Publication): page range of the article. For example: Doe, John. “The Year’s Best For example: Doe, John. “The Year’s Best Business.” Journal of Business. 27 Business.” Journal of Business. 27 (2006) (2006)

Examples, Continued For a website, you will have a variety of information. For a website, you will have a variety of information. If the site has an author, begin with the author’s last name, first name. Follow this with the title underlined. Next, indicate the date of publication of the site, if given. Then give the date you accessed the site. End with the url in angled brackets. If the site has an author, begin with the author’s last name, first name. Follow this with the title underlined. Next, indicate the date of publication of the site, if given. Then give the date you accessed the site. End with the url in angled brackets. For example: Doe, John. The Year’s Best For example: Doe, John. The Year’s Best Business Oct Business Oct

Conclusion Good luck and have fun researching and writing your paper. Good luck and have fun researching and writing your paper.