MLA Formatting

MLA- What is it? MLA stands for the Modern Language Association Outlines standards to follow for parenthetical citations Allows us to cite sources using an alphabetical Works Cited that appears at the end of a work

MLA- Why do we use it? We use the MLA guidelines to avoid plagiarism Plagiarism is the unauthorized use of someone else’s material, or “stealing their ideas”

MLA: Quotations WHY: We use quotes from sources to strengthen our argument. It’s not enough to say that an author does something; you need to show it – Remember: “Show,” not “Tell”

Quotations: How to choose Always make sure that whatever quote(s) you select help strengthen your argument Make sure that you don’t simply pull things out of context – For example, if you’re discussing an author’s use of personification, it wouldn’t make sense to pull a quote that didn’t have an example of personification in it!

Quotations: Length What happens if you like parts of a quote, but you do not necessarily need the entire sentence? Use an ellipsis! Note that you do NOT use an ellipsis at the end of your quote just because you don’t know what to put there: – As mentioned in the text, “here is my quote, and I don’t know how to finish…” (Smith 43). – DO NOT DO THIS!

Quotations: Ellipses If you want to pull a quote from the middle of an author’s sentence, you do not have to use an ellipsis before you begin your quote – As mentioned in the text, “I only like this part of the quote” (Smith 43). If you want to pull a quote that is really long and you want to take out the middle, use an ellipsis in the middle of the quote – As mentioned in the text, “I like this part…and this part of the quote” (Smith 43).

Quotations: Dialogue What happens if I want to include dialogue as part of my quote? Add quotation marks! Double quotation marks begin your quote, while single quotation marks begin and end the dialogue: – As mentioned in the text, “Marie said, ‘I know all about MLA formatting now’” (Smith 43).

Integrating Quotations WHAT: Integrating, or embedding, quotations, means that you include quotes as a part of your own original sentences WHY: We do this to show that the quotes that we select support our ideas, especially when analyzing a text for literary elements (think tone, author’s purpose, theme, diction, etc.)

Integrating Quotations There are several basic elements that must be included ANY time you use a quote: – Author’s name – Page number (also line number if there is one) – Quote – Your own words (this means that a quote CANNOT stand alone as its own sentence – ever!)

Integrating Quotations: The Author ONLY use the author’s LAST name If you DO NOT use the author’s name in the sentence, you MUST put it in parentheses If you DO use the author’s last name in the sentence, you must NOT put it in parentheses Examples of citations are soon to come…

Integrating Quotations: Punctuation Citations belong at the VERY END of the sentence, no matter where the quotation is placed The punctuation of the sentence ALWAYS FOLLOWS the parentheses at the end of the sentence The beginning of a quote is NEVER capitalized unless it starts your sentence or is a proper noun!

Integrating Quotations There are three primary styles in which to integrate quotations: 1.Start the sentence with your words and end with the quotation 2.Start the sentence with the quotation and end with your words 3.Start and end the sentence with your words, with the quotation in the middle of the sentence

Integrating Quotations: Style 1 Starting the sentence with your words and ending with the quotation is the easiest way to integrate quotes because it is most natural for you to begin your sentences with your own ideas

Style 1 Format A According to Smith, “your quote belongs here” (43). Your wordsAuthorQuotation Page **PAY ATTENTION TO THE PUNCTUATION!**

Style 1 Format B As mentioned, “your quote belongs here” (Smith 43). NO COMMA!

Integrating Quotations: Style 2 Starting the sentence with the quotation and ending with your words can be effective because it places more emphasis on the quote

Style 2 Format A “Your quote belongs here,” writes Smith (43).

Style 2 Format B “Your quote belongs here,” as mentioned in the prologue of the story (Smith 43).

Integrating Quotations: Style 3 Starting and ending the sentence with your own words, with the quotation in the middle of the sentence, is the most sophisticated method of integrating quotes This shows that you can smoothly integrate the author’s ideas with your own, which makes you a stronger writer

Style 3 Format A Also, “your quote goes here,” writes Smith (43).

Style 3 Format B Additionally, “your quote belongs here” and it is important (Smith 43).

MLA: Typed Responses The following points are required on ALL typed essays: – Times New Roman 12 point font – Double spacing – 1” margins – Header – Title – Heading

MLA: Header A header is simply your last name and page number at the top right corner of each page Notice that there is NO comma between the name and page number!! Smith 1

MLA: Heading Your heading must include: – Name (first and last) – Teacher – Subject – Date Smith 1 John Smith Pritchard English II PreAP 17 December 2014 **PAY ATTENTION TO THE DATE!**

MLA: Title Your title should centered on the page, NOT underlined, in quotes, or anything else “fancy” Capitalize each word EXCEPT for articles and prepositions (and, the, of, for, etc.) Think of a creative title that fits with your topic Smith 1 John Smith Pritchard English II PreAP 17 December 2014 Exploring Pride and Prejudice

MLA: Paragraphs Indent each paragraph once using the Tab (  ) button Only start a new line with each paragraph – DO NOT add an extra space between paragraphs Begin your first paragraph here, and allow it to continue on until you have finished. Make sure to indent once on all new paragraphs in the essay. Pay attention to spacing!

MLA: Works Cited Works Cited are used to give the complete information about the text(s) which you are citing These are organized alphabetically by the author’s LAST name These are always written on their own page, following your essay

Works Cited: Formatting Your Works Cited will ALWAYS be titled “Works Cited” – no creative names here! This is still double-spaced with your header You indent ONLY if a source takes up more than one line Smith 4 Works Cited First citation begins here, and notice that this line starts with “F” – ALPHABETIZE! Second citation begins here, and notice that this line starts with “S” – ALPHABETIZE!

Works Cited Sources Formatting varies for the different types of sources you use The primary sources we use are: – Books – Websites – Anthologies (and other collections of literature, like your textbook!)

Works Cited: Books To cite a book, include: – Author’s name – Title (italicized) – Publication information (all found inside the book before the chapters start- usually before the title page) City published Publisher Year published (usually written as “Copyright”) – Print

Works Cited: Books Brown, Amy. Teaching Writing. New York: Penguin, Print. LastFirstTitleCityPublisherYearPrint

Works Cited: Websites To cite a website, include: – Author’s name – Title of article (“in quotation marks”) – Title of website (italicized) – Editor’s Name – Date website was published – Web – Date website was accessed by you

Works Cited: Websites Ford, Amy. “The Eyre Affair.” English Literature. Edward Jones. 4 May Web. 12 December LastFirstTitle of ArticleTitle of Website Editor’s Name (first then last) Date Published (day month year) Web Date Accessed (day month year)

Works Cited Sources Of course, there are many other kinds of sources that we use, each of which requires its own special formatting for the Works Cited However, the most important thing for you to remember is that no matter the source, no matter the assignment, YOU MUST CITE!