1. A Simple Overview of MLA Documentation
Common Places: Integrated Reading and Writing
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2. To avoid plagiarism, you must document each source you use in your paper, even if you use the source only for ideas.
MLA Documentation

3. MLA Parenthetical Documentation
Parenthetical documentation is simply the use of parentheses within the text to show readers the sources you use.
MLA Parenthetical Documentation

4. A direct quote is the use of a source’s words
A direct quote is the use of a source’s words. Direct quotes must be accurate. They must include the source’s exact words.
Direct Quotes
Source -- Marissa Reynolds is the author of this text:
Some seizures are not a result of epilepsy. Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures are associated with somatoform disorders. Technically, these events are not true seizures. However, patients
Student Paper:
Among the various types of seizures, one type is not actually a seizure at all. “Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures are associated with somatoform disorders” (Reynolds 15).

5. Use parentheses at the end of the quote
Use parentheses at the end of the quote. Include the writer’s last name and include the page number.
Include the page number only if you used the original document. If you got the source from an online database or a Web site, do not use page numbers.
Direct Quotes
Student Paper when student used actual journal article:
Among the various types of seizures, one type is not actually a seizure at all. According to the PNES Foundation, “Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures are associated with somatoform disorders” (Reynolds 15).

6. If you use an attributive tag such as the one here, you do not have to put the writer’s name in the parentheses. Use parentheses in this case only if you have used an original source with page numbers.
Direct Quotes
Student Paper:
Among the various types of seizures, one type is not actually a seizure at all. According to Marissa Reynolds, a researcher at Johns Hopkins, “Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures are associated with somatoform disorders” (15).

7. When you use a source from an online database or from a Web site, do not reference page numbers.
Direct Quotes
A source without an attributive tag and no page numbers:
Among the various types of seizures, one type is not actually a seizure at all. “Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures are associated with somatoform disorders” (Reynolds).
A source with an attributive tag but no page numbers:
Among the various types of seizures, one type is not actually a seizure at all. According to Marissa Reynolds, a researcher at Johns Hopkins, “Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures are associated with somatoform disorders.”

8. An indirect quote is the use of your own words to express an idea found in a source. Do not use quotation marks for indirect quotes, but do provide source information. You can provide source information in an attributive tag.
Indirect Quotes
Student Paper:
Among the various types of seizures, one type is not actually a seizure at all. Some seizure-type events are psychogenic in nature, according to Marissa Reynolds (15).
If you used a source that has page numbers, put the page number in a parenthetical reference. Leave off the page number if you used a source from an online database or Web site.

9. If you do not use an attributive tag, provide source information at the end of the sentence.
Indirect Quotes
Student Paper:
Among the various types of seizures, one type is not actually a seizure at all. Some seizure-type events are psychogenic in nature (Reynolds 15).
If you used a source that has page numbers, put the page number in a parenthetical reference. Leave off the page number if you used a source from an online database or Web site.

10. Quotes from Anonymous Works
Imagine we have no author for the source. In this case, use the first significant title words of the source to identify it. Use them in place of the writer’s last name.
Quotes from Anonymous Works
Use of an anonymous source entitled “Types of Seizures”:
Among the various types of seizures, one type is not actually a seizure at all but may resemble one. “A non-epileptic seizure may look like a grand mal seizure” (“Types of Seizures” 3).

11. Quotes from Corporate Authors
Imagine the source comes from a corporate author such as the Johns Hopkins Hospital. In this case, use the organization’s name where you would use the writer’s last name.
Quotes from Corporate Authors
Use of a source with a corporate author:
Among the various types of seizures, one type is not actually a seizure at all but may resemble one. “A non-epileptic seizure may look like a grand mal seizure” (Johns Hopkins Hospital 3).

12. Preparing a Works Cited Page
Since you have used parenthetical documentation, readers can look up the actual sources. But readers still need more information about sources to find them, so you will prepare a “works cited” page.
A works cited page provides complete information about each of the sources you refer to in your paper.
If you use a source in your paper, that source must be on your works cited page.
Preparing a Works Cited Page

13. Preparing a Works Cited Page
A works cited page uses the same header, 1” margins and double spacing as your paper.
The title, “Works Cited” should be centered on the top line.

14. Preparing a Works Cited Page
After putting in your “works cited” title, hit enter to go to the next line.
Set up the next line for a hanging indent. Click on Paragraph, and then under Special click on Hanging. Click OK.
Preparing a Works Cited Page

15. Preparing a Works Cited Page
Now you will enter your sources. These should be entered in alphabetical order.
The actual information that should appear in a works cited entry is specified by the MLA Guidelines. In the case of a journal article such as the one Marissa Reynolds wrote, you will use this information:
Preparing a Works Cited Page
Author’s name (Last, First) followed by a period and a space.
Name of the article in quotation marks. The period goes inside quotation marks.
The journal’s issue, a colon, the journal’s number, a space, the date in parentheses, a colon, a space, page numbers, and a period.
Name of the journal in italics.

16. Preparing a Works Cited Page
If you obtained the source from a Web site, you will add this information:
Preparing a Works Cited Page
The word “Web” followed by a period and then a space.
The date you access the source on the web. Use the date format shown.

17. Preparing a Works Cited Page
If you obtained the source from an online database such as EBSCOhost, you will add this information:
Preparing a Works Cited Page
Add database name in italics in front of the word “Web” followed by a period.
The date you access the source.

18. Types of Works Cited Entries
The formatting of a works cited entry depends upon the type of source you are documenting.
Types of Works Cited Entries

19. A Works Cited Page

20. If you obtained the article from the Internet, use this format:
A Works Cited Page

21. A Works Cited Page

22. A Works Cited Page

23. The MLA Handbook provides complete documentation rules
The MLA Handbook provides complete documentation rules. You can also find help with MLA style online at these (and many more) Web sites:
The Purdue OWL
MLA Tutorial from Hunter College
MLA Style Guide from University of Arizona
Pellissippi College’s MLA Citation Guide
More Resources

24. The End