PLAGIARISM & MLA A Workshop Brought to You by the COS Writing Lab

What is Plagiarism? Essentially, plagiarism is not giving credit where credit is due.

What Happens If I Plagiarize?  You will most likely receive an “F” on your paper  You may fail the entire class  Some institutions will expel you  It may be on your permanent record

Using MLA Format  MLA (Modern Language Association) is a commonly used method for documenting sources in a written work.  For the beginner, MLA can be daunting, but there are many resources for the student to use, and in time, this method will become a piece of cake.

Why use MLA format?  Provides consistent format within a particular discipline  Gives you credibility as a writer  Protects you from plagiarism  Allows readers to cross reference your sources easily

Where do I find MLA? MLA Handbook for Writers of Research, 6 th ed. Textbooks (Writers Inc., A Writer’s Reference, etc.) COS Writing Lab Website: Writing Lab Handouts Writing Lab Staff

Two Parts of MLA PARENTHETICAL NOTATION WORKS CITED

Parenthetical Notation (In-text Citations) The Two Basic Features Always Used When Citing a Source In Your Paper:  The last name(s) of the author (or authors)  The page number(s) where the information is located, unless the source is online or only one page long Do not include the abbreviation “p.” (or “pp.”) or the word page or pages

Parenthetical Notation (Examples)  One Author, named in your introductory phrase According to Jane Leeves, there are too many rules when it comes to writing a research paper (21).  Author not named in the text In the last ten years, the guidelines for writing an “A” paper have become very stringent and selective (Leeves 17-18).  Two or more authors: (Leeves and Smith 71). Work in an anthology: (Hemingway (author, not editor)25). Work cited indirectly in another source: (qtd. in Smith 91).

What is the format for a long quote? If a quotation is four lines or longer, indent each line of text ten spaces on the left; quotation marks are omitted; no period after citation: When Ambrose asked Tom Hanks if he is an optimist, Hanks replied: Shamelessly so. I apologize to my friends and family because I say it all the time, but if you had told me in 1966 that I’d be an actor and make movies, I would have thought you were insane. If you told me in 1966 I’d be married and have four great kids, I could never have imagined it. (68)

How do I paraphrase?  Original Text: The amazingly fast recovery of the cancer patient baffled the doctors and scientists. The cancer patient’s amazingly fast recovery surprised the scientists and doctors.  Acceptable Paraphrasing When they were informed about the speedy recovery of the cancer patient, neither doctors nor scientists could provide a reasonable explanation.  Unacceptable Paraphrasing

What is Works Cited?  At the end of your paper, you must list the authors’ names alphabetically (last name first) of all the sources you refer to in your paper  Most citations should include: Author’s Name Title of Publication Publication Information (Location, Publisher, Year)

Works Cited (Examples)  Books -One Author: Leeves, Jane. Writing An “A” Paper. New York: Penguin, Two of More Authors: Jamison, Jane, and Mike Krauss. No Gain Without Pain. Chicago: Random House, Author and Editor: Shakespeare, William. The Complete Tragedies. Ed. John Sawyer. Boston: Norton, 1987.

Works Cited (More Examples)  Magazine article: Myers, Kevin. “Research is Overrated.” Time 25 June 2001: 7-9.  Web Page: “The Perfect Quote.” Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Vers August Encyclopedia Britannica. 20 August  Newspaper Article: Miller, Joe. “Plagiarism on the Rise.” New York Times 28 May 2000: B1+.